Have you crowd funded an album? Thoughts?

Agree 100%
I'd like to add the obvious, but bottom-line reality:
For a new release, getting funded in advance allows the artist to focus on their art/music without having to deal with some of the distracting complications of "paying the bills".
If budgeted wisely in advance, the release is all paid for and production expenses are covered.
There isn't any record label pressures to produce a hit single, nor any of the other contractual issues (such as last release of a multi-release agreement) that we sometimes hear of.

Also - a musician is not obligated to go on tour or meet the press to promote sales of the release. It's already done.
(Not to be mentioned lightly - hasn't this actually been the miserable bain of many musicians and eventually caused the break-up of bands?!?!)

 

Excellent post.

 

I have done a few - Rickie Lee Jones (two albums); Paul Williams (RIP) - book on Dylan; Elliott Landy - book on The Band. In each case, a very good cause (IMO).

 

Which brings up a side-topic:
I'm sure there's numerous such crowd-funded releases that several of us forum-ites may have jumped on, if given notice. But may have missed.
Sure, sometimes specific threads are created, but can be easily overlooked...

Mssrs Gorts, can a Marketplace category be created for such? I realize it has to be regulated to eliminate out-right blatant Non-crowd-funding purposes, but...?

 

Blue October's last album
Dexy's live set
and I have a pledge in for The Distractions' set.

 

Done albums on both pledge and kickstarter.

Pros: you often get a ton of bonus stuff. For example: Entombed gave you a couple unexpected full length concerts. You get special, exclusive collectible albums.

Cons: you usually have to wait a really long time!

 

Yes, with "Lucky", Suzy Bogguss' most recent album.

 

I've funded a few projects, like a couple of Paul Williams' books and a live release from Alejandro Escovedo. Al's project happened long before there was anything like Kickstarter, so fans just sent money to one of his friends. It eventually came out and was a nice little disc, but, believe me, we had to wait FOREVER and received very few updates on it. The person in charge of his website even quit in frustration.

When artists don't communicate with contributors if the project takes longer than expected, that's when things can get a bit heated. At the very least, supply a few free downloads or something. It kind of turns me off when artists ask for more money once the goal has been reached too.

 

Yes - supported 10,000 Maniacs with their just released 'Twice Told Tales'

A really positive way of supporting a band that has given me much pleasure over the years in all its incarnations.

I would have bought the album anyway, so what is to lose by supporting this way.

Best Wishes,
David

 

The Zombies, Pugwash and Scott Weiland so far - all through Pledgemusic.
I think it's a great way to help out your favourite artists (and get some unique memorabilia in the process).

 

Juliana Hatfield's 2 most recent albums, Parthenon Huxley's last album, Anna Beck Rose's last album.

Non album project's I've funded: Vienna Teng's music video and Bob Mould's concert DVD.

There might be other albums or things that I forgot about too.

 

that would be cool..but I also strongly suggest signing up for Pledge Music and others and they send out regular project alerts.

 

Very nice, I might get into DVD funding as well at this point..

 

Rolling Stone blasted..er, Blaster...I quite like it..you?

 

same feelings here..plus I like the sense of pride of being involved...

 

I hear you..fortunately the albums I have funded were great in that dept...lots of updates and very reasonable delivery time frame.

 

I tried to crowd fund my thoughts but there wasn't much interest....

 

Yes, already done!
great suggestion for all ~
(I'm on the fence regarding the Wrecking Crew soundtrack...)

 

Yep. Rufus Wainwright's opera. Recording is done. Waiting for the next update to find out how the process is going.

 

Ha..I'm a Rufus fan..saw him a bunch of times...great albums..great shows...

 

You bet.

I think I may have been involved in the first crowd funding venture-Marillion's 2001 album Anoraknophobia.

Have funded several since then. For all the afore stated reasons-it is nice to see the money go straight to the artist.

 

Yeah. Been a big Rufus fan since his debut. I feel like I crowd funded him by buying The House of Rufus.

 

Oh man that brings back memories...Marillion was really the first crowd funded album I had heard of....

 

Me too.. April Fools still knocks me out...

 

I got the download on April 1st, but I haven't listened to it yet as I'm still waiting for my signed-by-the-band CD to arrive. I have to admit I'm a bit surprised it's taking so long...