Coco Solid presents The Can I Live Fund

WHO ARE YOU? 
Kia ora! I'm Jessica Lee Hansell but everyone calls me Coco.
I'm a musician, rapper, writer and artist. Depending on who you ask I'm also a mentor and an activist - but I just call that not being an egg. I am a Māori German Samoan woman hailing from Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. I produce heaps of creative work under the name Coco Solid.

YEAH BUT ARE YOU LYING? 

Nope. Here is my website with my music and art: http://www.cocosolid.com

My animation series 'Aroha Bridge' I wrote and directed recently:  arohabridge.com

A Sunday Star Times story about me:  http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/70508960/coco-solid-its-time-for-a-switchup

My interview in I-D Magazine:  https://i-d.vice.com/en_au/topic/coco-solid

Noisey presents 10 Women and gender non-conforming artists you should support right now  https://noisey.vice.com/en_au/article/here-are-another-10-female-and-gnc-artists-you-can-book-right-now

Saturday Paper Melbourne interview:  https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/tag/coco-solid

Starling Literary Journal interview:  http://www.starlingmag.com/issue-1/jessica-hansell/

DO YOU HAVE AN INSUFFERABLE INTERNET PRESENCE TOO? 
You know I do!
twitter.com/cocosolid
facebook.com/cocosolid
instagram.com/jessicokes

SAY SOMETHING THAT MAKES ME TRUST YOU
Look basically I like telling stories on my terms, the alchemy of art, empowering my people, moving culture and conversations where I can. My jam is offering 21st century Māori & Pacific people, women, our young people, our queer people and those with very little access to resources, education and money a new way of seeing themselves. It makes me happy(ish).

OK I BELIEVE YOU. SO WHY DO YOU WANT MONEY? 
I'm not really asking for one particular project to be supported. It's more living costs, that way I can stay alive so I can execute several projects this summer. I want money just to live, make and finish my sh*t.

1) MIXTAPE
I'm recording my mixtape 'COKES' this summer. In recent years I've put out tracks and videos at random, while playing in my bands Badd Energy (Flying Nun) and Parallel Dance Ensemble (Permanent Vacation Germany). But this will be my first solo Coco Solid album in five years. Everyone has been hassling me so I need to take the time (aka money) to make it good.

2) COMIC
I have an unfinished book of illustrated essays called 'Foodcore' which was due at the publishers about 400 years ago. It's about race and food. Thankfully Matt Emery at Pikitia Press (Melbourne) is da man and has been patiently chill about it. But I have to get it finished, meaning I need some pens that don't run out and some time (aka money) to get it done.

3) FILM
I'm one of the writers in film collective Piki Films (Taika Waititi, Oscar Kightley, Madeleine Sami, Victor Rodger). We've been workshopping my screenplay for a feature length animation and you guessed it a) I'm obviously mental b) it's almost finished but not quite. Recently I got to go to the ImagineNative film festival in Toronto to screen our cartoon Aroha Bridge. There I found out I would be the first Māori woman to direct a film of this length and nature, so (after I threw up from imposter syndrome and nerves) I decided it should probably be good. This means, yep, I need a bit more time and money.

4) MOVING
I gotta move from Wellington back to Auckland this January.
If you have ever experienced the logistical bloodbath that is relocating cities and getting into a new place you probably know what I am about to ask you for. Money m888

YEAH YEAH ALRIGHT, HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT? 
I am asking for $5,000. I figure it's not a scary amount and it should cover the very, very, very bare essentials. I have been told I should ask for more but I think I'll just let donators determine what I'm entitled to and I'll be sweet either way. Also times are hard, especially on people who typically support me (minorities lol) so I'll keep it simple. I am also a hustler and I know how to make 5k go a long way. This crowdfunding is an experiment. I wanted to try something different from the arts funding racket, working on stuff I hate and my stressful freelance work as a paid killer.

WHAT IF YOU DO GET MORE?
If by some miracle this happens, I'd put extra money towards
1) A series of panel talks focused on rape culture and gender inequality in New Zealand music and media, as this is a much-needed conversation and no one in the industry is doing anything about it.
2) I would probably expand my inclusive club night Kuini Qontrol to a New Zealand night, where we support more women DJ's, more POC and queer people in the club.
3) I would contribute and signal-boost the work of other kaupapa-driven collectives in my community
4) I'd put money towards a scholarship I've been offered in Montreal next year 
5) For the sake of transparency I would probably get my nails done, get an NBA league pass subscription and order extra cashews at the food court.

Please check out my work, make a donation or just share this link page if you can. I am a real one and it would be cool to share some of these projects with you, help a sister out :)

Ngā mihi nui!
Fa'afetai tele lava!
Thank you for reading!

xoxo