Niche crowdfunding platforms are growing in popularity as some realize that a one-size-fits-all approach to crowdfunding isn’t always best.
Pledgemusic is one such platform. The site launched in 2009 in an effort to cut the middlemen out of the music experience for the fan, allowing bands and artists to solicit their fans directly for support and funding. The site is seeing a recent boon as two popular bands have launched campaigns on the site seeking funding for new albums. Both Sevendust and The Hold Steady could easily go out and leverage existing record labels to bring their new music to market, but both are opting for crowdfunding as a means of funding their latest efforts.
Both of these bands are known to be as supportive of their fans as their fans are of them, so it is no surprise that they have taken to crowdfunding as a way of giving back, saying thanks and giving fans a chance to grab some really cool perks ahead of these two releases.
The Hold Steady & The Unified Scene
The Unified Scene is a group that was formed by fans of The Hold Steady, and they have been a staple at the band’s live shows since inception.
One of the best known, most motivated and most vocal members of The Unified Scene was Mike Van Jura, or as he’s better known, “Jersey Mike”. Mike was the unofficial leader of The Unified Scene and handled a lot of internet and message board duties for us just as a function of his fandom.
“Jersey Mike” recently passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. In his honor, The Hold Steady has launched a Pledgemusic campaign seeking funding for a special five-song EP of covers to be released on vinyl. All pledgers get a copy of this EP and a digital download of the EP when it is completed, which is slated for sometime early in 2014.
The campaign is already fully funded thanks to over one thousand backers and fans.
Sevendust’s New Acoustic Album
Sevendust has been making music for a long time. The Atlanta-based band formed in 1994 and has since released nine studio albums.
The reason for doing this is that you guys have made us what we are today and we want to involve you in a much deeper way than we have ever before. We have been face to face with many of you and some of you have been to over 50 shows and we have become family. We want you to have a chance to be apart of this process with us and make this record stand out. To have something special to support on a full scale acoustic tour.
Sevendust is offering a bevy of rewards including but not limited to a live, private concert at a fan’s house for $10,000. Signed gear and merchandise is also available at lesser pledge levels. Of course, all pledge levels net a copy of the album. The campaign is almost fully-funded and has over four months left to go.
Part of the pledges will also go toward supporting the nonprofit St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.
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