Crowdfunding recording.

[Serial_Apologist]

I've just now received email requesting I subsidise a new recording due to be made, in this particular case by a talented young jazz guitarist who for the past 3 or so years has been establishing himself in his own name and by association with others already long established.

This is a form of arm-twisting new to me. While I am pretty confident about the quality of what will eventually (one assumes!) be forthcoming, I have certain misgivings over the principles involved. It is rather a big ask!

What do others think?

[vinteuil]

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... are they indicating that you might be up for a proportion of any profit this venture might make, or are they just wanting you to help fund it coz it's a good cause?


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[Serial_Apologist]

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... are they indicating that you might be up for a proportion of any profit this venture might make, or are they just wanting you to help fund it coz it's a good cause?


.

The latter - he admits to having hit a few hitches. His previous 3 CDs have been done on an amateur shoestring basis; this time he's going for a professional recording studio (unnamed) and, inclusively, the whole thing's going to cost £7k. On the pledge request page a number of amounts are categorised as to what you get for giving support, ranging from an online download for £10 to £150 granting Executive Producer status, meaning one's name gets included on the cover. Based on that, the average contribution has been just over £47, though the largest number so far have paid £15 to have the CD mailed when it is ready, which is expected in July 2018.

[cloughie]

I've just now received email requesting I subsidise a new recording due to be made, in this particular case by a talented young jazz guitarist who for the past 3 or so years has been establishing himself in his own name and by association with others already long established.

This is a form of arm-twisting new to me. While I am pretty confident about the quality of what will eventually (one assumes!) be forthcoming, I have certain misgivings over the principles involved. It is rather a big ask!

What do others think?

I also have misgivings about Crowdfunding. Looked at in a good light it lends a helping hand. On the other hand it could be construed as bare-faced cheek or e-begging. I suppose really it depends on how supportive you are of the project.

[teamsaint]

It's really just a new twist on the old subscription model in publishing.
You do take a small risk, usually in return for a few sweeteners.

Probably a good thing to get exposure for ones music out of the hands of big record companies.

[Serial_Apologist]

I also have misgivings about Crowdfunding. Looked at in a good light it lends a helping hand. On the other hand it could be construed as bare-faced cheek or e-begging. I suppose really it depends on how supportive you are of the project.

I would like to - it's hard to believe how far he's come (but deservedly so) from a gig in an out-of-the-way pub gig 4 years ago with just me and a friend in the audience: I predicted back then he'd go far. As you say, it's the principle involved, however.

[Pulcinella]

I'm not sure, but I think that your money might be 'safe' (i.e., refundable) if the target is not reached.
If the lad is as talented as you suggest, then why not chip in the price of a cd and a ticket to one of his gigs; that's not really asking a lot.
I don't think it's arm twisting; you must be on a mailing list to have got the request, so you could probably opt out if you don't want that sort of mail.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Isn't this simply the modern equivalent of the HMV Hugo Wolf Society recordings of the 1930s?

[richardfinegold]

We have good friends that retired and moved to Hilton Head, South Carolina. Their daughter, who is very talented, moved to the U.K.. she wrote a novel and found a 'publisher' who would publish it if she could crowd fund a certain amount. We were solicited by our friends and donated $50. Apparently that was insultingly low, because that was over a year ago and our calls and emails have gone unanswered.
This has left a bad taste in my mouth for this sort of thing

[Richard Barrett]

It's a response to the fact that these days there's not much hope for many people of CD sales covering the cost of recording and production. If you want to hear the music, why not contribute? That's enough of a sweetener surely.

[Old Grumpy]

£15, if it gets you a copy of the CD when issued, doesn't sound a bad deal to me. Having said that, I contributed to a crowdfunding appeal for a film a while (several years) ago now. Various sweeteners were offered, depending on the level of contribution made - I have yet to see any of mine yet...

OG

[Serial_Apologist]

Many thanks to all for your most constructive views.

[MrGongGong]

I think it's very simple really

1: Do you think the world would be a better place if this recording existed?
2: Does your contribution facilitate this?
3: Can you afford it?
4: Would you buy the recording if a commercial company made it?
5: Would you bung him £14 at a gig if he was selling it?

I don't think it's "arm twisting" any more than EMI advertising it

I can't see any problem about "the principles" really
if you bought it from the river people would they pay their fair share of tax? etc etc etc

He sounds a great player and it's a bit of a "no brainer" to me if you really like his playing, go to his gigs and are keen for him to develop as a musician.
I've contributed to several recordings made in this way and also to this book (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...lectronic-musi ) which I'm looking forward to receiving in the next month. It seems to me that working in this way is the only way that some extraordinary and great music can reach a wider audience.

One advantage of these forms of funding is that if it doesn't get enough backers you pay nothing and it doesn't happen. If it does you get to support something you believe in and get something you really want.

[Old Grumpy]

I think it's very simple really

1: Do you think the world would be a better place if this recording existed?
2: Does your contribution facilitate this?
3: Can you afford it?
4: Would you buy the recording if a commercial company made it?
5: Would you bung him £14 at a gig if he was selling it?

I don't think it's "arm twisting" any more than EMI advertising it

I can't see any problem about "the principles" really
if you bought it from the river people would they pay their fair share of tax? etc etc etc

He sounds a great player and it's a bit of a "no brainer" to me if you really like his playing, go to his gigs and are keen for him to develop as a musician.
I've contributed to several recordings made in this way and also to this book (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...lectronic-musi ) which I'm looking forward to receiving in the next month. It seems to me that working in this way is the only way that some extraordinary and great music can reach a wider audience.

One advantage of these forms of funding is that if it doesn't get enough backers you pay nothing and it doesn't happen. If it does you get to support something you believe in and get something you really want.

Very eloquently put, Mr GG!

[Bryn]

My only experience of crowd funding to date was 5 years ago for the Nancarrow 100 events. I opted for $25 and though unable to attend, I did get mp3s of the the whole thing. In those days the data rate used was only 160 kbps but far better then nothing, and better then Radio 3 DAB. It would have been worth doing without the recordings, just to have the event go ahead, but they did make a very nice cherry on the cake.