Kickstarter for an album

[Fade]

How many of you have used something like Kickstarter to fund doing an album? Or what do you think of people doing it?

The reason why I'm asking is because with the way it is today, you could do an entire album at a home studio, so to ask people to fund your project is I guess for those that have no production skills, like a rapper, for example.

The other issue is that "albums" are on a decline and artists are focusing more on just singles, so is it worth trying to make an album? Would people fund the production of your single?

 

[thedreampolice]

yea I am going to use it soon. I need about 4k to finish this next record and with my fan base 4k should be doable. I personally still LOVE entire albums, hearing complete thoughts ETC. I have about four records in the works, after they are done I will probably focus on singles and videos for singles for a long while. I just love making entire albums though so we will see how it goes.

 

[2GooD Productions]

I dont think albums are the way to go anymore. People just dont have the attention spans for an album these days. Besides, I think the overall quality of albums died a death a long time ago. There just arent enough good songs on albums anymore to justify buying one. As for kickstarter, I dunno, you would really need a decent fanbase to make any progress in that department, and with a quality fanbase, getting support from labels wouldnt be such a hard thing.
Im with DP on the "idea" of an album, but in todays world, I just dont think its plausible as a business venture. I say this with an album ready for release, so sue me.

 

[Fade]

You guys are right. We all love albums but unfortunately, the short attention span people of today could care less. It's a shame. Something like Kickstarter is ideal for putting together an album though, but of course with the fan base. I know Qbert did it recently with his latest albums but for singles, I can't see it happening.

 

[wrightboy]

people are also doing EPs today. 5-7 songs. get in, get out. but like the fellas said, everything is geared mostly towards singles these days.

 

[Fade]

people are also doing EPs today. 5-7 songs. get in, get out. but like the fellas said, everything is geared mostly towards singles these days.

That's a good point. EP's are a good alternative as well, then soon it will be mini EP's which is like a maxi single LOL.

 

[2GooD Productions]

people are also doing EPs today. 5-7 songs. get in, get out. but like the fellas said, everything is geared mostly towards singles these days.

Yes very good point, I think I will be leaning more towards EP's from now on. I dont know if I can just go the singles route. It just seems too expensive to release everything as a single. Im still a broke arse motherfucker.

 

[thedreampolice]

Really? I would think singles would be cheaper idk. After the next few projects are done, every track I make will be a single with a music video so I will be able to make a marketing push more and more often as for me its usually 2-3 years at least between albums so I struggle with staying top of mind of my fan base. Doing digital singles will help in a million ways. Right now I literally have about 20 songs done WITH artists that I can't show anyone because we are waiting on the entire album to get done. WHO knows I guess. You have to get creative will all of it thats for sure!

 

[wrightboy]

every track I make will be a single with a music video

i can see this working. as long as you stay on top of it and not wait too long in between videos.

 

[thedreampolice]

Yea probably every three months. Forever

 

[2GooD Productions]

Really? I would think singles would be cheaper idk. After the next few projects are done, every track I make will be a single with a music video so I will be able to make a marketing push more and more often as for me its usually 2-3 years at least between albums so I struggle with staying top of mind of my fan base. Doing digital singles will help in a million ways. Right now I literally have about 20 songs done WITH artists that I can't show anyone because we are waiting on the entire album to get done. WHO knows I guess. You have to get creative will all of it thats for sure!

Every single is a marketing campaign. Whereas an EP/Album can be as little as one or two.
And yes I agree, being creative with the marketing ideas is essential with the state of the industry right now.

 

[thedreampolice]

I suppose, but once you get your marketing in place it should be easier each time. And youtube will start marketing itself ETC. But it takes loads of time thats for sure!

 

[2GooD Productions]

I suppose, but once you get your marketing in place it should be easier each time. And youtube will start marketing itself ETC. But it takes loads of time thats for sure!

Loads of time or a very creative and original idea.
I found promoting myself on social media to be a waste of valuable time. All I can say is Myspace!!!!
Wasted a lot of fucking time on there, had thousands of followers, then myspace died and so did my fan base.
I have been crying myself to sleep at night ever since.

 

[thedreampolice]

ha ha, yea you have to do it all just right. All these "social media experts" are so lame the only guy to look at right now is Gary Vaynerchuck. I am kind of following him as far as a marketing guy, his books are amazing and I have as of late modeled marketing Drunk Pedestrians after his style and Seth Godin's ideas. Check out Gary talk about the ROI of social media



You really have to go out side music people to learn marketing, the music market is just such a mess. Im not going to lie though its REALLY tough to put it all together man!

 

[Fade]

Agreed, social media is a mess when it comes to music because all people do is post their own music and that's it. But - if it's used to actually contact other people, it can be very powerful. I still think it's best to meet people in person to get shit done, but if you don't like going outside or if you live in the backwoods like @Relic then social media is a good option.

Ya Gary is good, it just makes sense.

 

[Beautiful Noise]

I disagree with you Fade. When an artist tours and the crowd wants to cop your album, what do you tell them? "Um, you can download my album on I Tunes, etc." That's the quickest way to lose fans. I plan on using Kick starter to fundraise for pressing copies of my EP, so I can start touring after that. After all, the $ lies in touring...even if you don't make a dime from download sales

 

[Beautiful Noise]

I guess I'm old school when it comes to tangibility. If I went to see an artist perform and they show up with no merch, I probably would not be a fan anymore, since I wasn't able to buy something tangible from that artist: a CD, shirt, something

 

[thedreampolice]

Sadly the entire "the money comes from touring" thing is a myth. Touring is really expensive. I do agree that if an artist tours he must have merch, a physical cd, shirts etc. but the money these days is in publishing.

Read this on touring
https://medium.com/@jackconte/pomplamoose-2014-tour-profits-67435851ba37

 

[Beautiful Noise]

Interesting article. I don't find that story to tie into the myth you speak of. Sure, they took a huge financial risk by cutting out the middle men to do the dirty work, but losing out on just over $11K isn't bad. Most groups who don't tour probably wont make that much in a year from download sales.

You gotta think too, that in the genre of hip hop, the financial expense is relatively lower, since one can tour with only a DJ to handle all the music, over hiring an entire band, and all that extra expense for each band member's equipment. Hell, I'd like to tour for 1 month like this band and make over $100K. It would be worth it to me, instead of the normal occupation I do now and don't even make $30K/year.

It's all perspective, IMO.

 

[thedreampolice]

Have you ever toured? Unless you are on a big circuit it's tough to do anything but break even. Been there done that, but it sure is fun