Project Gunda

Folk/Pagan Metal meets the ambient, primal vibes of bands like "Paleowolf" and "Heilung," with mythical/Lindsey Sterling style visuals.

I'm Danielle. I'm 36 years old, with over 20 years of experience and training in music and performance art under my belt. I have a passion for ancient and traditional music, but also for metal. I'm looking to focus solely on folk and pagan metal, with a blend of ambient, and ancient style rhythms to invoke a more primal feel.

My initial goal is to release a new album under a new musical persona. One that will satisfy my love for music, art, costumes, film, love of history and desire to fight oppression. The album is titled, "Death by Dancing." My stage name will be Gunda, which literally translates to female warrior." The album title itself, refers to the human tendancy for mass hysteria, and to blindly follow.

Put simply, I feel that due to lack of funding options, I am unable to fully utilize my talents by taking advantage of platforms like YouTube and social media. I am in desperate need of equipment updates and additions, such as recording and audio gear, editing and recording software, digital cameras, instrument repairs and accessories, synths, drum machines, effects pedals, amps, computers, etc. I make money performing but I could have a far bigger impact with the proper equipment.

My old stuff (which I learned on and recorded years of material) got sold a few years back in order to pay the bills.

My resources are limited due to my location and bad personal credit from past due medical bills when I was uninsured. I have exhausted every other option to try and achieve my goals, including working weekends while trying to raise my toddlers during the week, applying for credit from multiple sources, and applying for every type of loan i can think of, but I have not had any success yet. Hoping that others will take an interest in my future based on my many past successes is basically my last hope.

I have completed compositions with accompanying storyboards for music videos. I'm hoping to create passionate and original music to fight hate, empower women, and inspire people to take action against any kind of oppression or injustice. I have a clear vision, and focus; My vision is to incorporate traditional melodies along with my own original compositions into a blend of powerful arrangements to achieve a totally original sound in the folk metal genre.

Compared to what I could be doing, my talent is being squandered and I'm not reaching my maximum potential with my fan base. My goal is to create high quality content, live and online, filled with visceral, artful visuals, and my own unique style of music for lovers of art and expression everywhere. You can take a listen to my old stuff on ReverbNation, although I feel a lot of these compositions were very juvenile and victim-centered. I no longer wish to identify as a victim, rather, through recent life changing realizations, I wish to focus more on my triumphs as a survivor of harrowing circumstances and inspire others to do the same. The style does not accurately portray the new direction in which I'm taking my music, but it at least illustrates that I am capable of producing recordings and highlights my experience in traditional music.

Funds raised will be used for equipment upgrades and purchases, costumes, backdrops and props for music videos, stage makeup, advertising, merchandise production, promotion, production of album, including duplication, printing, design and graphics.

50% of album sales for "Death by Dancing" will be donated to "Life After Hate."

ABOUT ME

I have had a life long love affair with music. I play dulcimer, flute, piano, various types of ethnic percussion, and do all my own vocals, recording and mixing. I have won awards for my skills and accomplishments in Irish music, and recorded my first album at the age of 15.

Backed by years of writing, training, and performance experience, I have harmonized a unique blend of world music, classical composition, unusual instrumentation, and dark, moody lyrics. However, my love of performing goes deeper than the desire to entertain. Taking years off from my career to raise my two children, I feel that now is the time for my return. The world needs art that makes people think, and that they can also relate to. I hope to inspire people to fight hate, fear and ignorance by using powerful messages and images in my music and accompanying videos.

Since having several life changing experiences, I realized that my art should be more than just about me and the pain that I've been through. My calling is to dedicate myself to creating beauty in a world full of hate and fear, with the hope to change minds, hearts, and encourage people to be true to themselves, while standing up to tyranny.

50% of every album sale will be donated to "Life After Hate," an organization that helps people heal from different forms of extremism. This is my mission, as I was once a victim of religious extremism myself.

The dulcimer will always be my specialty and I can't wait to experiment with it in this genre. I'm extremely passionate about this and I will do whatever it takes to accomplish my goal to not only better humanity through artistic expression, but also to headbang my way to European tours and festivals!