Firstly, thank you SO much for giving me some of your time today ♥️
My name is Alice Armstrong, I am an independent singer & songwriter from the UK. In early October this year, I had the incredible pleasure of winning the UK Blues Challenge in London! The winner gets to represent the UK in the next International Blues Challenge in Memphis, and the European Blues Challenge in Croatia... Wow!
But to make this happen, I need YOUR HELP.
As a self-funded independent artist, these Challenges are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but we won’t be paid a penny, and the USA isn’t exactly cheap, oh my!
To compete in Memphis as an independent band leader, I’ll need to:
- Pay for return flights to Memphis for 5 musicians and two instruments
- House us all for a total of 8 days in a local Air BnB (hotels cost about the same as a kidney)
- Provide daily allowances for food and drink plus tips
- Pay for safe travel to and from the venues and airport
- Pay for 5 tourist VISAs
- Help cover the taxes that will be implemented on the amount raised
- And HEAVEN knows what else (cue internal screaming).
This comes to a whopping total of an estimated £17,800....
(See a full transparent breakdown of the costs at bottom of the page)
I don’t expect something for nothing – we’ve put together a delicious buffet of rewards for you to choose from! Not only can you bask in the warm glow of knowing you’re helping, but you’ll also receive something awesome, such as goodies delivered straight to your postbox, hanging out with us when we record the next EP in February, going bowling/mini-golfing with us or having us play an intimate show in your own home!
Photo by Moe Hickman
I know your support, combined with the world-class skills of my amazing band and my obsessive dedication, will give us the best chance of securing a top spot on the world stage. I’m incredibly grateful for any small amount you may be able to offer, or perhaps just sharing this fundraiser with your friends – it will go a long way in helping us get to America to kick some butt!! Let’s go!!
Thanks again for taking the time to read this today – I hope to do you all proud. If we raise all the money I will create stretch goals to help with the European Blues Challenge in Croatia in April and recording the brand new EP :) Have a beautiful day ♥️
Photo by Haydn Hart
I’m a singer-songwriter and visual artist from the UK, dedicated to creating music that moves people, inspired by blending roots genres such as Blues, Soul, Funk, and Rock n' Roll. I started out as a weird little girl who grew up in the middle of an English woodland, but now, with the help of my world-class band, I’ve been lucky to have my work recognised, including being voted Contemporary Blues Artist of the Year at the 2024 UK Blues Awards and winning the UK Blues Challenge.
This year has been a whirlwind, with sold-out tour dates across the UK and mainland Europe, a guest appearance on BBC Radio 2 with Cerys Matthews, my songs making it onto Joe Bonamassa’s personal Spotify playlists and performing on his Mediterranean Blues Cruise in 2023. I released my second EP, Live at Area 88, in June, and I’m set to record a new one in February 2025. Everything I’ve achieved so far has been as a self-funded, independent artist, fuelled by my dedication to self-expression and aided by the unwavering support of my incredible fans.
‘One of the most emotional and far-ranging vocals, such a sweet and melodic voice, that, in an instant, she can blow the horns off the devil himself’ - Blues Matters Magazine
‘A thing of wonder’ - Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 2
‘She is, potentially, one of the great voices of our time.’ - Music-News.com
‘Alice is perfection’ - Blues in Britain Magazine
‘Really loving that vocal!’ - Craig Charles
‘I would recommend going to see what could
easily be the voice of a generation’ - ERB Magazine
The International Blues Challenge is held 7th till 11th Jan but I have been advised to fly us out on the 5th and return home on the 13th Jan. Here is a full breakdown of the expenses and charges for Memphis I am currently aware of:
- Return Flights = £1300 x 5 band members (£6,500)
- Air BnB in local area = £125pp per night, 5 people, 8 nights (£5,000)
- Food allowance = £50pp a day (£2,000)
- New extra strong flight case for instruments in hold ( £400)
- USA Tourist Visa = £20pp x 5 band members (£100)
- Taxi fares to venues = £100 per day (£800)
- Buffer for unexpected expenses = minimum £1000
- Platform fees, taxes and charges = estimated £2000
Current total: £17,800
These figures have been rounded up, within reason. We are currently aiming to raise £15,000
If we achieve our goal we will create a stretch goal to incorporate some funding for the European Blues Challenge in April and the recording of the new EP!
If you have read this far thank you SO MUCH from the bottom of my heart for your time and energy, I love you guys and am so grateful for this opportunity ♥️
Photo by Tony Cole
