Authored By seanphippster

Eric Lisica is ready to chase his dream. But he needs your help.

Many Chattanoogans may be familiar with his hip-hop stage name-soCro-and his regular performances around town at venues like JJ’s Bohemia and Rhythm & Brews.

Short for “Southern Croat” and a nod to his Croatian roots, soCro embodies the essence of the electronic elements of the European club scene and Southern hip-hop.

After three years and countless shows, soCro is ready to take the next step, which would mean releasing a proper album.

A Kickstarter campaign has been launched with the hope of raising $6,000 toward the completion of his debut album, “Eurotrash Meets Southern Class.”

The campaign runs through Feb. 22.

“I’ve been thinking about music since I’ve been a kid,” Lisica said in his pitch video. “It’s been a passion of mine since I was born.”

If funded, the album would help get the soCro name to a larger audience. It would feature 10 tracks, and the recording and mixing would take place at Elyzum Studio in Chattanooga with mastering in Atlanta. The album would include two never-before-heard tracks.

Ideally, the album would be complete-he’s already written the songs-by the South by Southwest Festival in mid-March.

“Everything is already in motion,” he writes. “I just need the fiscal lotion.”

As an artist, soCro has opened for Big Boi (one-half of OutKast), and his song “Chattanooga” has become the unofficial song of the city.

Supporters will be rewarded for their “fiscal lotion,” according to the premiums listed on the campaign site.

All backers (what Kickstarter calls supporters) will get a digital copy of the album for a $5 donation. Other levels include T-shirts, custom banners, dinner (Croatian cuisine) with soCro and a private concert.

“This is the steppingstone for my career,” he said. “I feel like I’m in a position where I’m ready to take it to the next level.”

Not convinced? Click here to watch a video of soCro “booping” a number of cats on the nose.