AFTER such a successful crowd-funding venture to fund her new album, it would be understandable for Kate Miller-Heidke to become a tad complacent.
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However, she insists that isn't the case.
Her fourth studio album and first independent release, O Vertigo! was made possible by the support of loyal fans, who funded the album via PledgeMusic in a record-breaking three days.
Miller-Heidke said this enabled her to make the record on the same budget as when she was signed to a major label.
O Vertigo! was released in March, garnering rave reviews and a top five debut on the ARIA Album chart.
"It was quite a big vote of confidence, a leap of faith [for fans] to pay for music without actually hearing it," the Australian indie/pop singer/songwriter said.
"Paying for music in its own is a nice gesture, but it's not necessarily a given any more.
"You don't take it for granted - you still have to produce the quality."
While she feels that some music fans could soon be burnt out on the crowd-funding platform because of eventual saturation, upon undertaking the venture last October, she aimed to offer incentives for fans who pledged their money.
"I tried to think of rewards I would like as a fan," she said.
"Lounge room concerts, or calling someone on their birthday to sing Happy Birthday.
"I tried to make it feel like people were part of a special club."
Aside from a chart-toping album and her upcoming tour, upon taking our call, Miller-Heidke was taking a break from writing an opera/musical for Opera Australia.
She said this was simply a case of being "bored pretty easily".
Kate Miller-Heidke
Illawarra Performing Arts Centre
Tuesday, August 26