A Band Proud to Sell Out
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.
