MUSIC NEWS - Jill Sobule's fan-funded album is coming to life! Her new release, called California Years , will be released on April 14, 2009 via her Pinko Records label. The album was produced by Don Was and features an all-star cast of players, including drummer Jim Keltner and pedal steeler Greg Leisz. It was recorded at Henson Recording Studios in LA. Henson is the former A&M Studio in Hollywood where Joni Mitchell made Blue and Carole King recorded Tapestry, what history there !

O ver the course of Jill's long music career, she's been dropped by two major labels and found herself languishing on two indies that both went bankrupt. "Needless to say, I was hesitant to go down the label road again," she says. So, i n November 2007, Sobule sent a message to her fans asking them what they thought of her idea to record a fan-funded CD. "It would be sort of a patronage thing, where you guys are the Medici family," she wrote, "except I give you prizes for donations of certain amounts." When she received useful advice and encouragement, she launchedjillsnextrecord.com , where folks could donate cash in exchange for "gifts." A $10 contribution earned you a free digital download of the album; $50 got you an advanced copy and a 'Thank You' in the liner notes; $200 earned you free admission to all of Sobule's shows for the year; and $1,000 got you your own personal Sobule-penned "theme song." Three people who donated $5,000 got Sobule to come play at their house, which she loves to do ("They always have really good spreads"), and the one fan who donated $10,000 got to sing on the album (listen for her on "Mexican Pharmacy"). The website launched in mid-January 2008. By March, Sobule had reached her target of raising $75,000 through donations from more than 500 fans and even a few non-fans. "I got a message from this one guy saying, 'I don't really like your music, but I'm donating because I like this idea,'" Sobule recalls with a laugh. Because of those generous fans, Sobule was able to raise $85,000 and finance the recording, mastering, pressing, distribution, advertising and marketing of California Years . The initial goal was $75,000, but the fans' enthusiasm never waned and with that, the pressure was on to make the best record she could to satisfy her hard-working investors.

We look forward to hearing the results of her efforts, in the meantime, pick up her 04 Underdog Victorius release . Look for Sobule to tour during all of 2009 and beyond, tour dates will be announced soon. Check out HER I Kissed A Girl video clip below-