Always on
This project successfully funded on 18th April 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
This project successfully funded on 18th April 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Recording new songs with producer James Sanger (Keane, Dido, English Teacher). A community supported EP of love & learning for hard times
*if video available above please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4ehew73uFQ
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BIG THANK YOU TO DONORS - you will have received a mail with more - let me know if you haven't.
*CROWDFUNDING AIM 3K.
5K ask was in error anything over 3k will go toward future recording and traveling*
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I imagine you are here because we are already connected. For those who don't know me, hey , I'm Joe, a songwriter exploring music that connects people and reflects on social issues — from depression, homelessness, inequality to hope, love, friendship, and community amongst my song themes.
My songs have been played on BBC Radio 2, BBC Introducing and BBC 6 Music, and I’ve released own albums More The Love That's Given (2020) and Warmth of the Ages (2025) and Songs of Plum Village (2022)
My music has grown from a folk music upbringing and years of involvement and ongoing learning through community and peace organisations including Quakers in Britain and Plum Village. This journey has informed both the subjects I write about and the way I want my songs to reach people — with, (I hope) care, empathy, reflection and connection too.
News
A few months ago I was kindly invited to work with producer James Sanger, who began as an assistant to Brian Eno recording major artists including Madonna and U2 and these days has a love for developing new artists who have included Keane*, Dido and English Teacher* to date. *Mercury Music Prize Winners. He heard a song of mine on BBC Introducing (new music programme) and said he'd like to work with me.
The project
Through 2026, I'll be mentored by James as we go through my back catalogue and new demos and choose 3-4 songs to make an ep which will then be pitched to labels care of James' studio. My interest in writing about the current issues of our time will be central to the project with new songs about indigenous land return, immigration, colonialism, whiteness; all rooted in reflection, learning, hope and an unwavering faith in love.
Support
Coming from a working-class background, I don’t have heaps of resources to self-fund this project and this is something James is aware is normal with independent artists. His encouragement is to lean into what I do have: the love of many supporters! In combination with some support from James this is how the project will be funded.
It's an opportunity I'd like to take and I'd like to take you with me on the journey.
Your contribution goes directly to preparation, travel and toward studio time for me and musician friends who join me and in return you will receive the ep when it's finished and if you like there's also a run of other rewards - including behind the scenes insights into the year.
All expenditure will be in an open doc to view
Feels important to say at this point -please don't donate if you don't have the funds right now - I wouldn't want you to :) if you visit here there you can still follow the journey and thank you for your love and support
https://joeholtaway.com/2026/01/25/ep-with-james-sanger/
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This project is also part of my campaign: "Support Artists - Buy Direct - Fund Change", where the themes of the songs are linked to causes. As a community, we’ll be able to discuss how a portion of streaming and download royalty is directed once the songs are released - please be in touch with me to know more about this - feels important to me.
Thanks so much for reading.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made