How You Can Help Make Porn, Combat Depression & Promote Unsung Soul Legends

Name: Robert Hatch-Miller
Project: Any Way The Wind Blows: a documentary on the great Syl Johnson
Current Status: 359 pledges, 51.5% ($20,597) of $40,000 goal. 16 days remaining.

You might not know Syl Johnson by name, but there's a good chance you've, in some capacity, been lucky enough to hear one of his recording. The '60s soul legend never really got the same kinda success as his contemporaries back in the day, but as hip hop artists began to look to somewhat obscure soul cuts when digging for samples, Johnson's catalogue was a goldmine. It wasn't so much of a goldmine for the artist himself though, and he's spent years trying to recover royalties from those who have made money from sampling his records.

Director Robert Hatch-Miller wants to tell Johnson's story in a documentary he's calling Any Way The Wind Blows, and needs some cash to get a rough cut of the film finished so they can apply for further funding and get into a few film festivals.

A one hour mixtape of Syl Johnson themed music is available for ten bucks, a digital copy of the film for $20 and a limited edition poster can be yours for $25 (plus ten bucks postage to Australia). As well as other limited merch options (t-shirts and bags, namely) there are also some incredible album/45 packs from the Numero Group and Daptone Records; head to the site to check them out, but be wary that the postage ain't cheap…

Name: Ilona Harker
Project: New album
Current Status: 17 pledges, 9.21% ($921) of $10,000 goal. 21 days remaining.

Anyone who has suffered from or is close to someone who has depression knows what an utterly horrendous experience it can be, Ilona Harker is one of those people and she has bravely stated that this is the reason she needs some help to finish off her new record.

She has been working on a double album called Stories The Sea Told Me, Lies I Told The Sea for the best part of three years now and was all set to have it finished off by May of this year. But then she fell into a deep depression and had to let everything go while she focused on getting better. She is better now, but she needs funds to finish the record and iis also looking to throw 5% of the cash towards BeyondBlue while she's at it.

There are all sorts of rewards for those who pledge; five bucks gets you a personal video from Harker saying thanks, $50 gets an album and t-shirt, she'll write a song for you, draw a picture of you or take you on a two our paddle board tour for $100, $1,000 will buy you a flight in a Tiger Moth for two people and $5,000 gets you an all-expenses paid, five star trip to Byron Bay.

Name: StormChasers
Project: New EP (pressed on vinyl)
Current Status:

Brisbane funk/soul band StormChasers have recorded their latest EP with local men about town Paulie B and Peter G, but – in what is becoming an increasingly familiar story – they need cash to finish off the mixing, mastering, packaging and so on.

They're looking for your help to cover the $6,500 they need, but they're willing to work for it. At around the $100 mark there are all manner of ridiculous, creative perks that pledgers can receive from individual members of the band; Kat will send you a video of her licking her elbow, Jane will ask your crush on a date, Yates (who has no real painting skills) will paint you a picture, Paddy will research and explain anything you like and Alex will be your town crier. Of course you get the record with that as well.

The band will be your shopping buddies for $140, they'll play a show at your house for $800 and for an extra $200 will cook dinner for up to 30 people as well.

Also in crowdfunding this week:

NSFW: Some say crowdfunding is the future of music; is it the future of the porn industry as well? Offbeatr seems to think so; they've launched a website that allows you to pledge for certain fetish websites and products to ensure they are made and your sick but legal and rightful sexual desires are satiated.

Face sitting enthusiasts, real cat girl porn lovers, shrinking women, sexy webcams that donate a portion of funds to charity, kinky queer sex slaves… There is some shit on this site that you wouldn't even know existed. Some of the perks... Let's just say it's really getting people involved in their choice of porn. Now I'm blushing.

Do not view it at work, unless your work is okay with this kinda stuff. And by this kinda stuff we mean My Little Pony Cosplay Porn.

On a somewhat more tasteful note, a sneak peak at the new Veronica Mars film – which was a monumental crowdfunding success – has been released. Watch it below.

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