The New Business of Making Music?
The music industry (as we once knew it) seems to be in a constant state of flux. There are more bands than ever, more web sites and yet most fans or listeners prefer to be spoon fed from traditional outlets such as radio stations, I-Tunes or You Tube. There’s nothing wrong with that, but there is so much great music out there that is just begging to be discovered. Basically, in 2013 you are only limited to the amount of time or effort that you invest in searching for new music.
We realize folks are busy (and quite lazy these days) when it comes to hunting down fresh/creative talent. Luckily, the internet is infinitely flexible and several crafty beavers out there are inventing new models and offering some very cool services for the bands and the fans.
Replacing the indie record label scene from back in the day, are newer crowd-sourcing sites like Kickstarter.com and PledgeMusic.com. These sites offer a chance for the fans to get involved in the making of the your favorite bands next album or music projects. This model has proven to be highly effective for established acts and a few notable artists from all over the world.
New album “Ugly Noise” due in 2013
I was first introduced to the Pledge site when FLOTSAM and JETSAM used their site to help fund their latest release. Luckily, their goal was achieved at 157%! Looking forward to their new music.
Check out a fact sheet below from Pledge Music below and see if there are any bands you would like to get involved with to further their career and or lend a hand.
PledgeMusic for Artists
PledgeMusic is a music company offering you a new way to take control of your career. We’re not interested in being a rights owner – Pledge does not want ANY rights to your music, live income, merch etc. We just help you fund whatever type or format of record you want to release next.
PledgeMusic is a music company offering you a new way to take control of your career. We’re not interested in being a rights owner – Pledge does not want ANY rights to your music. We just help you fund, market, and release whatever music you want to make.
We help and encourage you to participate with your fans in an exciting and unique way. Pledge allows artists to easily create an irresistible customised menu of exclusive content and experiences that integrate your email database, Facebook fans, Twitter followers and various other social networking sites. You decide how much money you’d like to raise and your fans pledge money for whichever item or experience they want. In a direct-to-fan campaign, fans are only charged once the full target amount has been raised. We also offer preorder campaigns, perfect for marketing and releasing your album without targeted fundraising. And there’s even the option to build a charitable donation into your campaign. We charge a flat 15% fee and we have no hidden fees or transaction costs whatsoever.
PledgeMusic for Fans
PledgeMusic is a way for you to help your favorite artists make and release their records. It helps artists and bands design a tailored fundraising campaign to raise money for their next release. As a pledger, you will gain access to exclusive content and experiences, available only through PledgeMusic. The options can be anything from DJing at your house party, to attending a rehearsal, or even a movie and dinner with the band!
For traditional direct-to-fan campaigns, there is no risk to you as your money will only be taken once the artist’s target amount has been raised, and PledgeMusic will keep you informed of the project’s status every step of the way.
In a pre-order campaign, you’ll be charged immediately upon pledging, and will receive the record on release date, much as with other e-commerce pre orders.
So please get involved and have a good time helping your favorite bands create more great music!
What are you waiting for?
A Tribute to Mercyful Fate: Metal Kickstarter Project
I ran across this nifty Kickstarter project from some of the Demolish Twitteri recently. For those of you who are not familiar with the Kickstarter website; basically it’s a new way to fund creative projects and arguably one of the most innovative platforms to emerge for the creative community.
Every week, tens of thousands of people pledge millions of dollars to projects from the worlds of music, film, art etc.
About this project
Satan is Alive: A Tribute to Mercyful Fate is a proposed 5.5×7″ 152-page, black & white (2-color cover) book featuring comics, prose and illustration inspired by the music of Mercyful Fate. They’ve assembled an impressive lineup of underground artists/writers including:
- Tom Neely (Henry & Glenn Forever/The Wolf/Popeye/The Blot)
- J. Bennett (Decibel/Terrorizer/Revolver Magazine/Ides of Gemini)
- Bruno Guerreiro (Decibel Magazine)
- Kim Holm (Pickman’s Model/ Hole in the Sky 2010 Memories)
- Chuck BB (Black Metal Part 1 & 2)
- Tim Sievert (That Salty Air/Clandestinauts)
- J.T. Dockery (In Tongues Illustrated)
- Ed Luce (Wuvable Oaf/ Henry & Glenn Forever and Ever)
- Kevin Cross (Barbarian Riot Squad/ Pitch Black/ Nerve Agents)
- Johnny Ryan (Prison Pit)
- Stephanie Buscema (The Little Tales of Otto & Olive/ Web of Spider-Man)
- Sara Turner (Ghosts of Pineville)
- Nick Green (Decibel Magazine)
- Roger Langridge (Popeye/ The Muppet Show/ Fred the Clown/ Snarked!)
- Tim Shagrat (Acid Witch)
- Ben Marra (Lincoln Washington: Free Man!/Henry & Glenn Forever and Ever)
- Vasilis Lolos (The Pirates of Coney Island/Spider-Man Family)
- Mark Rudolph (Dagon/ Metal Hammer/ Decibel/ Tombs of the Blind Date)
Specifics:
As of June 2012, I have about 85% of the content from contributors and have found a printer that can do exactly what I’m looking for. What I’m looking for here is funding to print the book. I have done print-on-demand in the past, but I want this book to look as great as it possibly can, so Satan is Alive will be done offset, with perfect binding.
The money raised here will go toward: paying the printer, shipping supplies/cost, and compensating contributors. This is a passion project, so I’m not making a payday here, just trying to get the best quality book printed as soon as possible. Thanks so much for your support!
~Mark Rudolph
Only 25 Days to go to support this project
Kinger (ex-SLEEPY TRIP, KURU-AMA drummer), Demolish Mag. Editor/Owner/Publisher etc.
