About a month ago, the INDY asked Ashlie White, the founder of Pet-Tich-Eye, why it was so important for the project’s initial Kickstarter campaign to succeed. Pet-Tich-Eye was set up to foster collaboration between Triangle musicians, visual artists and community organizations. Its first endeavor is a 10-song compilation featuring one-off trios of local musicians, each contributing one song, paired with 10 pieces of original art and photos of each recording session.
But for White, Pet-Tich-Eye’s Kickstarter success was crucial not because of the impact failure would have on her finances. “It will prove that people want this,” she explained.
On Sunday, White got the confirmation she was looking for. With about seven hours to go, Pet-Tich-Eye achieved its goal, with donations totaling $14,499 before it was all over. The outpouring of support down the stretch was impressive. A week ago, the campaign had yet to break $7,000, but with the help of tickets to a collaborative chef dinner featuring some of the area’s brightest culinary minds and a powerful push of donations, White and her cohorts got the money they needed—as well as the public affirmation that White was hoping for.
“What I hope this campaign achieved was more than just raise money to pay off a debt incurred to create the first release,” White wrote in a Kickstarter update published shortly after Pet-Tich-Eye reached its goal. “I hope it raised awareness about this project and the vision we have for future collaborations and partnerships within the community.”
Featuring members of Bon Iver, The Rosebuds, Megafaun and others, Pet-Tich-Eye will be available in local record stores on April 20. Motorco Music Hall will host a release show that night that will include a few of the album’s collaborators recreating their contributions. The exact line-up has yet to be announced.
