By popular request: The music search engine I blogged about last month was Seeqpod, and the podcast was called The Chillcast.
*Scroll down for updates*
I’m having one of those “wish I’d expressed the idea first” moments.
I listen to a podcast called “Music Career Juice,” by Peter Spellman, owner of Music Business Solutions. In one episode, he talked about the return of music patronage, but with a modern twist.
Centuries ago, artists and musicians depended on churches, royal courts, or wealthy individuals to support their work. Over time, this elitist system waned, giving way to public concert halls where everybody else could pay to attend performances. Recorded music eventually lured people out of concert halls. It was no longer necessary to attend a live performance to hear music.
The digital age has created a new style of patronage system, says Spellman. Instead of receiving support from one exclusive patron, musicians can seek support from thousands of patron-fans. A company called SellaBand allows fans to be modern-day patrons.
Bands can sign up for an account and upload three songs that represent the band’s sound. The goal is to convince enough “Believers” to raise $50,000 in $10 increments called “Parts.” Once the band raises $50,000, SellaBand provides an A&R (artists and repertoire) person to “guide your recording process.” The band records a “limited edition” CD in a studio with a producer, and Believers (sounds weird, doesn’t it?) receive a free copy of the CD.
Artists, SellaBand, and Believers share profits from track downloads and advertising revenue. Afterward, SellaBand makes available “regular” CDs, which the band can buy at “cost price” and sell for whatever price they want, with Believers getting a cut.
I’m not sure if I explained that correctly, so read it for yourselves. (Pet peeve pause: Who wrote the copy for that web site? Could be much better written.)
Anyway, you get the point. Someone who believes he/she has enough talent to generate a following can sign up with SellaBand and raise cash to make a record.
“But La Shawn, isn’t buying a band’s CD or downloading music a kind of patronage system?” Yes, but the point of SellaBand and similar systems is to get fans directly involved in creating the record. Fans, and not record labels, are putting up the cash.
Depending on whom you ask, the digital age has changed the music industry for the better or for the worst. Digital technology, despite its drawbacks, is an unsigned or independent band’s best friend.
Spellman’s advice to musicians in the digital age:
“If you’re putting out awesome music, then build it and they will come. The lessons: Accept your new power. See yourself as an entrepreneur - one who creates forms to hold and deliver creative works. Befriend technology and rigorously apply yourself to understanding it. Throw out the ‘quick fame’ idea and commit yourself to long-term career success.”
Update (3/5): Or skip SellaBand and take it straight to the fans. Bold move.
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