…Standing tall against the chill of the winter

We the children of many man and women

Who left the south for new beginnings

I am the son of slaves, The son of man...

My name is Eli Arbor. I am currently on residency as a MacDowell Fellow , working on my sophomore album, A Place You Can’t Find . The album explores what it means to love the things we consider mythologically American, while living as part of a group that is constantly written out of that mythology.  By incorporating the sounds of American folk music, the album seeks to complicate the romanticism of our ethos with the truth of our troubled past.

Unlike my previous projects, this album is almost entirely self-produced . Most of it--from the music, to the lyrics, to the subsequent mixing--is being led by myself. The album is executive produced by the Outsiders Music Group.

Since 2012, I have self recorded and released 3 solo mixtapes and a two-disc solo album , and have been part of the recording and release of 2 group mixtapes with The Outsiders . We’ve mixed and mastered these projects ourselves, and I’ve paid for my own equipment, my own promotion, as well as the art, physical releases, and other associated costs. But this album is unlike anything I have put out previously. It’s more ambitious, and incorporates live instrumentation in a way that I haven’t before.

In order to realize the full scope of my vision I need to raise $12,255. You can see the itemized breakdown below. I worked to build out this budget with my team by sourcing the most cost-efficient makers and studios. But this is a professional project, and I believe in paying professionals for their work. Artistic labor is just as important as any other job, and deserves to be fairly compensated.

If you know me, then you know that I hate asking for help. But I truly and honestly cannot do this alone. Help me share my art, our stories with the world.

Help me show you A Place you Can’t Find .