Journey to Freedom

A bit about the project:

Catapulted - through multiple sudden deaths of those in his inner circle, 29 year old musician Devon Welch culminates the ensuing thoughts, emotions, hardships and revelations into a sonic narrative – JOURNEY TO FREEDOM.

Having already poured what's left of his post covid life savings into getting the album recorded, mastered at Munki studios by Mike Gibson, Devon is now ready to release it to the world.

But, launching an album and taking it to the world is no easy feat and your help is needed.

Join us, as we campaign to bring the visual aspect of this project to life! Please help us fund two videos and the base funds to pay the musicians and crew, who will help take this album on a nationwide tour and probe screens all around the world! 

The Album – 'Journey to Freedom'

This is a nine track album written by Devon Welch and then recorded by Dr Lee Prebble of Surgery Studios in Wellington. Not having been released yet – the two records from this album we seek to make videos for are 'Someday' and 'Freedom'. You can watch live performances of both songs over here.

These are the very last two tracks of the album and they signify making it through the bad times and the rewards we attain when we continue to strive for the things we love most, especially in the face of today's increasing challenges & distractions such as: screens, increased negative self talk/thoughts/feelings, constant bombardment of marketing techniques, fear mongering, self sabotage and dense negativity in some media.

'Someday's chorus' at first expresses the feeling of not being where we think we ought to be in life and simply retiring to the drinking culture of NZ, after feeling backed into a corner (often by our own minds). It marks the question of "Am I even good enough for (enter personal vision here).... and the internal battle that ensues.

The verse then gives you a glimpse into the honest but raw truths of one individual feeling, the push and pull of his thoughts, emotions and surroundings whilst trying to listen to his core intuition guiding him along the way.

"Freedom" - ft. Nikau Te Huki

This is an anthem that reminds us all just how powerful we are and that we are infact in the driver's seat of our experiences – through the choices we make in response to the world around us and within us. Nikau comes in fresh with a reminder for us all to protect our rights of mind, body, soul and space.

The Team:

Devon Welch - Guitar/Lead Vocals

Luther Hunt - Drums

Harrison Scholes - Bass

Jules Blewman - Guitar

Bryn Van Vliet - Alto Saxophone/Flute

Kaito Walley - Trombone

Micheal Costeloe - Trumpet

Jo Jenkins - BV's

Lola Embury - BV's

Nikau Te Huki - feature rap (Freedom)

George Maclaurin - Keys (Someday)

Lexis Te Whatu - group chorus vocals (Freedom)

Bryn Van vliet - Composed the horns and string lines (Thank you Bryn!)

The Videos:

Both of these videos have been captured already! That's right, we couldn't wait!

"Someday's Chorus" produced by - Rio Tuson of 2facedcreatives

"Freedom" produced by - Mumu Moore whose other music videos include: L.A.B, Mara TK, Tommorow People, Electric Wire Hustle and more.

This filming has been done and is now in the editing stage. We would love nothing more than to give these hardworking creatives (and their crews!) the remuneration they've incurred already, before they finish editing!

Why should you help?

This album has a lot of messages that we believe a lot of people want and need to hear in such times when things can seem bleak and uncertain, as well as reaffirming congratulations, support and celebration of all the wins, no matter how big or small they are.

These messages from Devon, who in his time has been through a particularly rough ride at a relatively young age, are about coming out on top. From losing a father figure to motor neurones disease, to losing two very close friends to suicide, to then losing his partner and unborn child in the most soul crushing way, before being involved in a tragic accident where his good friend and fellow dreamer passed away.

Pushed to the extreme limits of his mind and emotions, Devon found a way to transform all of the pain and transmute it into this album to help anyone who is grieving, lost, unsure of the future or to reinforce anyone who has found and is living in their own freedom.

This album will change lives, create safe and proactive discussion, speak deeply into the importance of a positive relationship with our own emotional processes and vulnerabilities.

This is something that is needed, with rising suicide and mortality rates not just here in Aotearoa / New Zealand, But all around the world.

Thank you so much for your support.