Today billboard.com ran a story about singer-songwriter Jill Sobule whose new album, California Years, was financed by donations from fans to the tune of $75,000. One person alone donated $10,000. That bought them the opportunity to actually sing on the CD, which was released last Tuesday. Sobule is not the first performer to finance an album in this manner. Way back in 2001 British prog-rockers Marillion paid for their CD Anoraknophobia by asking fans to pre-order the collection before the band had even recorded it. More recently Throwing Muses singer Kristin Hersh has also experimented with fan-financing, even offering the title of "executive producer" to big contributors. With the collapse of the traditional record industry combining with the effects of the recession to make life harder and harder for musicians this business model may well become increasingly popular. Which made me think: How much would I donate to my favorite band to ensure that they made another album—or maybe even to actually appear on that CD? Well, I’m a big Wilco fan and while they don’t need my assistance at the moment (they’ve already recorded a new album which should be out in June) I could imagine donating $100 to help the cause. If they let me hit a triangle on a track then maybe I’d give them $300. And were they to back me on my self-penned song "I Love A Ghost Is Born So Much It’s Really Kind Of A Sickness (Seriously, I Should Go And See A Doctor Or Something)" then the sky would very much be the limit donation-wise.
But what about you? Whether you’re a fan of Miley Cyrus or the Mahavishnu Orchestra, how much would you donate to the making of their next album if they were short of funds? And how much more would you pay to actually perform on it?
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As Clark mentions in the piece, Marillion has pre-financed three of its last four albums thanks to pre-orders by at least 13000 people each time. (Fantastic band, btw, that will appeal to fans of Radiohead, Elbow, Pink Floyd, etc. The band’s frontman, Steve Hogarth, is perhaps the most emotionally honest singer you’ll ever hear. You can ask get a FREE 8-track sampler CD at http://www.marillion.com/music/racket/crash.htm and you can get their new album, “Happiness is the Road,” as a free and legal download at http://www.musicglue.com/marillion.). I’ve happily opened my wallet for all three pre-orders. The band has also created beautifully packaged albums with each contributor’s name in the liner notes for those who pre-order — plus randomly drawn prizes such as private concerts. But that’s not why I pre-order the albums. The band has had a great impact on my life. They don’t make millions off their do-it-alone endeavors and I’d hate to see them unable to continue because of financial trouble.
OMG I LOVE KELLY CLARKSON…OK LIKE I AM A KELLY JUNKIE!!! EVERYONE KNOWS IT & IF I MEET SOMEONE I HAVE TO LET THEM KNOW UPFRONT.
Im a firm believer of support the artist so i still am one of the few that actually goes out and buys albums. But for KELLY im so much crazier than just that.
I have purchased over 20 of kelly albums. Ill just buy them and give them away. Ill buy any magazine kelly is on the cover of, ill buy any dvd she releases (3 so far and im still waiting for a concert release), i have the one calander she has had, i have seen her 4 times live i keep all the ticket stubs, i have her autograph framed and i google news her about 3 times a day for news on her.
Yeah im crazy for kelly as to how much i would pay i would throw a huge fundraiser at one of the gay bars i visit and all fund collected would go to her. Im sure i can make a few grand for her…lol!! I would personally donate about $500 i think that is a fair amount…
OH I HAVE YET TO MEET HER…THATS WHAT I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO DO!!!
MY FRIEND GOT HER AUTOGRAPH FOR ME
Thanks Stephen, Marillion is one of my favorite bands, one of the few I purchase a new album from as soon as I see they have a new one. I’ve been looking for a Marillion fix and some how didn’t know anything about the ‘Crash Course’ project. For those who haven’t heard of them, or possibly think you haven’t, give them a try at the link Stephen provided, check them out on youtube, or however, they are definitely worth your time.
I would give everything I own away to help kelly clarkson make a new cd.
I am not going to try and describe my interest in her, if you want to see how psycho I am then go to: myspace.com/neal2589
I would then dare anyone to tell me im not her biggest fan! I play her records on repeat 24/7 and if you think that’s a joke or an exxageration…well, its NOT!
Have fun on the myspace
-neal
I too look forward to everything Marillion release because there is always something special there. The free sampler CD (find it at http://www.marillion.co.uk) is more than just that, it’s more of a full compilation album highlighting the various things that make Marillion close to their fans hearts.
In relation to the marketing model of pre-ordering, I have pre-ordered every time with the confidence that Marillion will always produce the goods. Their music is not “instant” by any means but works on you on several different emotional levels and it grows with every listen – check them out and you’ll see what I mean – just don’t listen to them once and put the album aside – you won’t regret persevering if at first you don’t “get it”.
It would be great if the album wasn’t such a worthless piece of childish tripe. Ah well – money badly spent.
Marillion fans have such confidence in the quality of what the band will produce that they not only preorder their albums before they are recorded but before they are even written and pay £30 (about $45) for a double album in a beautifully illustrated slip case sleeve. They also have biannual 3 day Conventions where they play 3 2-3 hour shows combining current material with the deepest cuts from their recording history. While so many older bands out there can only play their “heritage” tracks, Marillion keep releasing better and better modern material and have a fan base which expects and wants to hear their recent material as much if not more than anything from the past. I urge you to download their free music- what do you have to lose?- and come and join us at the forum at http://www.marillion.com.