Find a band and talk to them.
Reporter's Notebook
Assignment 
Find a band that has cut a record through Sellaband funding, and learn all about their experience. Let us know what you find out about who was involved, what their experience was, when it happened -- with any choice anecdotes as well as personal and scenic detail you can provide.
Some questions to consider: Is it a reasonable request to get $50,000? How much can be accomplished with that start-up money really? Has anyone spent time in the recording studio?
Background
SellaBand
We've got some interviews under our belt, now we need to get to business. How can we develop the best story possible on SellaBand? Check our editor's blog for recent ideas and updates. Join the team and get involved.
Background:
NewAssignment.Net writer Keith Axline explains SellaBand this way: "Musicians are another in what seems like a growing list of groups to take advantage of the concepts behind the open source movement. SellaBand basically gives you a MySpace type page to exhibit your mp3s, but instead of friends, you get ‘believers.’ These disciples of your rock scripture invest in your music at $10 increments until you’ve raised $50,000. Then, the magic happens at the studio, your faithful get a copy of your album, and the songs are posted online for free. For every download, you and your financiers, the original ‘believers,’ share in ad revenue. SellaBand puts powerful marketing and production tools into the hands of those with a personal interest in the music."
Below is Keith Axline's report on SellaBand for NewAssignment.Net
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Making the Case for Networked Music Business
Musicians are another in what seems like a growing list of groups to take advantage of the concepts behind the open source movement. More and more, large record companies are losing their stranglehold on the industry.
Thanks to some great recording programs, almost anyone with a microphone jack in their computer has a way to record and mix original songs.
This is where SellaBand comes in. Like NewAssignment.Net, SellaBand relies on crowds to make logistical mountains into molehills.
[img_assist|nid=140|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=146]The site basically gives you a MySpace type page to exhibit your mp3s, but instead of friends, you get 'believers.' These disciples of your rock scripture invest in your music at $10 increments until you've raised $50,000. Then, the magic happens at the studio, your faithful get a copy of your album, and the songs are posted online for free. For every download, you and your financiers, the original 'believers,' share in ad revenue. (More details here.)
By deferring the cost and talent of scouting to a large population of music lovers, SellaBand puts powerful marketing and production tools into the hands of those with a personal interest in the music. Potentially, this is a perfect service for bedroom musicians who think they have the next big thing but have no exposure. It's one of several examples of crowdfunding.
SellaBand uses a similar model to the one that NewAssignment.Net might follow: Interested parties invest in a research project or investigation they would like to see completed, and while profits might not be shared, seeing an investigation through to completion will be its own reward. The big question for both sites is: Will it work?
SellaBand sounded good enough to one of its founders. Johan Vosmeijer, to quit his job as an executive at Sony BMG to help head up the project. In a blog post on Monday, Vosmeijer wrote, "It appealed to me as a music lover first and foremost and then, after the potential had sunk in well, I just wanted to be part of this movement."
But while a lot of European pop bands already seem to be doing well on SellaBand, a few critics are throwing some water on the hype fever. Sam Rose at the P2P Foundation writes, "It may seem hard to believe, but I am convinced that a huge number of artists will not use Sellaband.com, because of the issues that will likely arise with artistic and image control and direction."
Judging by the excitement they've created in journalists and musicians, NAN and SellaBand have undeniably tapped into something important. The work both sites are doing is important for the future of crowdsourcing regardless of whether or not they become the precise model for the future. They're testing the waters now so that more mainstream incarnations of participation-driven services can stand on the shoulders of their work.
As for musicians, perhaps they can look forward to a time when they can choose between a hundred different sites like SellaBand depending on the contracts and services provided by each.
Keith Axline is the photo editor at Wired News. He also moonlights as a tech and music writer in various places like the SF Guardian and his blog Hesitating.org.
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A Band Happy to Sell Out: Take Two
jsykesAssignment:
Reporting page:
Ten questions with Nemesea, a SellaBand
Jeffrey Sykes interviews Nemesea on April 14th, 2007
Dutch rockers Nemesea were the first group to make the $50,000 mark on SellaBand. Lead singer Manda is in the studio right now recording vocal tracks, but she was kind enough to forward our questions to bandmates Sonny and Martijn. Their responses are below.
Jeffrey Sykes: If a Martian dropped in on your recording session, how would you explain how you go the money to afford your studio time?
Sonny: Well if he had a Wi-Fi connection I’d tell him to look on Sellaband.com!
Seriously though. I’d take some time and explain what it is all about.
On www.sellaband.com bands can upload their profile (a bio, up to three songs in MP3 format, blog, show dates, photo’s and a video) The thing is to attract so-called believers to your page who are willing to invest in your band.
To get your studio time you have to find 5000 people who are willing to invest $10 (that’s what one part costs and there are 5000 in total) or 2500 who want to invest $20. Pretty obvious. For those 10 bucks they get a limited edition CD when you reach 50K and they share in the advertising revenue on your page.
A so-called regular version of your CD will also be made available.
The net profit of these sales will be equally divided between you and your Believers.
Martijn: That’s a lot of fun for $10! Five thousand people might sound like a lot, but think of how many people out there have broadband connections. By the way, you get as much CD’s as parts you’ve bought.
Q: What attracted you to SellaBand?
Sonny: First of all. Sellaband is an amazing concept. Once you’ve created your profile and uploaded your music, blog and video’s you’re directly in contact with everyone that’s connected to the Internet. And that’s a BIG audience!
Secondly, you get to work with very professional people to make your CD once you’ve reached the 50K mark. Let’s face it. You never get to work with those kind of people unless a major label with a huge budget signs you.
And there are no strings attached. As an artist you can leave Sellaband when you want (before 50K) and the believers get their money back.
Martijn: Also Nemesea is a band which is always looking to the future. Sellaband is a new concept and we think we can make a big step forward by joining it.
Q: What was your initial reaction to the SellaBand concept?
Sonny: We thought: ‘Well…why not give this a shot.’
If it doesn’t work out, we can always pull out and get our music out there some other way.
But when the first people started to believe in Nemesea we decided to stay and go all the way to the $50.000 mark.
Martijn: Because of the low risk for the band as well as the believers it had to be a great concept. From the moment we’ve heard of it we said to each other, this must be something great.
Q: Did your supporters come to you organically or was there some marketing effort on your part?
Sonny: We really worked very hard to get so many people to buy a part in Nemesea.
We’ve made profiles on Myspace, Youtube, Hyves (Dutch internet community)
Etc. etc. which we (still) update on a regular basis. And we did lots of interviews, contacting magazines to get people interested. Basically getting the word out there as much as possible.
And it helped that we already have a small fan base because we already made an album.
Q: When did you realize that you were headed for the $50,000 mark?
Martijn: Well, at one point it started to go really fast. Somewhere around the 28K mark the number of believers was increasing rapidly and there were a few believers that were trying to outdo each other. Constantly buying more parts.
At that point we thought: This just might be it!
And the 50K was there in no time. We reached it within three months.
Q: How has SellaBand made you a better musician/band?
Sonny: Well, because this is THE opportunity to make a really good CD with professional people and with a big budget, you have to give everything in terms of musicianship, organizing skills and really make it a band effort.
And you have to make sure you’re ready when it comes down to recording the tracks.
Q: In what other ways have you used the web to interact with "the crowd"?
Sonny: Like I said earlier. We really used the big Internet communities to our advantage. Updating blogs, sometimes on a daily basis sending out newsletters, shooting promotional video’s, posting on forums etc. etc.
Q: What's the most important element of the SellaBand concept in terms of allowing you to make music?
Martijn: Well, on Sellaband you get complete freedom. No one is telling you what to do or how to do it. If you created some weird sounding songs and you think that there are 5000 people out there that will dig it, well, go for it!
Sonny: And when you reached the 50K you already have a big fan base and a professional recorded CD. Then you can still go after that label of your choice.
You’re music, you’re choice. Complete freedom.
Q: Who is in your band?
Sonny: At the moment there are 5 people in Nemesea. Most of them studied at the conservatory. We’ve got Steven on drums. He’s quite new but he’s the best drummer we’ve had. He’s here to stay! We’ve got 2 guitar players.
Martijn and H.J. H.J. also does most of the songwriting for Nemesea.
Then we have Manda on vocals and me, Sonny on bass.
Q: What's behind the name of your band?
Martijn: The name Nemesea is derived from a memorial day in ancient Greek times, dedicated to the goddess Nemesis. In short, she was the goddess of revenge and justice.
A Band Proud to Sell Out
jsykesAssignment:
Reporting page:
Ten Questions with Cubworld, a SellaBand
Jeffrey Sykes interviews Cubworld over email April 11th, 2007
Cubworld was the second act to break the $50,000 mark in support from believers in their music. Jacob Kongaika is the driving force behind the music and agreed to answer our 10 questions via email while taking a break from a recording session in NYC.
Jeffrey Sykes: If a Martian dropped in on your recording session, how would you explain how you go the money to afford your studio time?
Jacob Kongaika: After giving my new Martian friend a long awaited hug i will tell him good people liked my music and thought it would be nice to help me get to the studio. Then we'd high five and skip off into the sunlight with balloons in one hand and a lolly pop in the other. Sounds dreamy hey? lol.
Q: What attracted you to SellaBand?
A: Hot chicks. I mean. Common sense. I read about the site and how it worked and i thought "this is like a bank account for my dreams" i wish more dreams had bank accounts like this. Hey, that might be a good idea hey. Help people buy other things like cars and houses like sellaband. sorry. off track. Sellaband was like so many other places you can load music but with less of a "look what i can do" set up. Sellaband has the "look at me and HELP ME" set up. :)
Q: What was your initial reaction to the SellaBand concept?
A: "I think this could actually work" It almost seemed to good to be true. I could put my own money into this and in 50 years make my own album? Sounded great to me. :)
Q: Did your supporters come to you organically or was there some marketing effort on your part?
A: I didn't do much marketing, but i did a lot of "thank you's" and changing up of songs. I also changed up art a lot. My wife let all our friends know about the site but that's about it.
Q: When did you realize that you were headed for the $50,000 mark?
A: After Pim the creator of Sellaband said when I went to Amsterdam that he thought it would happen in a week. That was a week from Jan 12 2007. That dude is amazing. :)
Q: How has SellaBand made you a better musician/band?
A: I play out more and i have been inspired to write more. Also making this album with Producers Kiyanu Kim and Kevin Patrick has inspired me and taught me a thing or two about making music. I have lots to learn but it has be a big motivation to keep making music.
Q: In what other ways have you used the web to interact with "the crowd"?
A: Not sure. Other then myspace and sellaband I am working on a web site and I also have a flickr account where folks can check out my photos and art. There is the sellaband forum too but my wife mostly jumps on there. I email a lot with "the crowd" I reply to pretty much everyone that writes me.
Q: What's the most important element of the SellaBand concept in terms of allowing you to make music?
A: I am not tied down to the industry bosses saying i have to have 70 songs before i go into a studio. I have already earned my way to an album. The fans have spoken and it is being done. This is how music should be held. Some times it will fail and sometimes it will succeed but creating should never be discouraged and Sellaband allows this to be possible for ANYONE.
Q: Who is in your band?
A: This little Tongan dude named Jacob Kongaika and sometimes Garageband jumps in to help too. The band will be coming together hopefully by the end of the summer if not (crossing my fingers) sooner.
Q: What's behind the name of your band?
A: Usually behind the name of my band would be a computer screen or a piece of off white crinkled paper but what i think your asking for is what the frikin A is cubworld. If you google it you will find it is a place online you can buy Chicago Cubs baseball stuff and also a place for cub scouts to hang out at. But CUBWORLD to me is in two part. The CUB which was my nick name (one of many) in high school. Short for Jacob. Check it J-CUB :). And im not a very tall dude. I am little and fury like a baby bear CUB. The world was added as i was thinking about my identity as an artist. The world defines my space and my views. My songs are about CUBWORLD.
This is unedited content. What's that?
