Grassroots Democracy for Fans
- Category: Artists
- Published on Tuesday, 23 August 2011 17:32
- Written by Mario
- Hits: 281
Additional Info
About two weeks ago I introduced Crowdbands.com here on 50K MUSIC. After publishing the post I got in touch with HQ and asked Peter Sorgenfrei, co-founder of Crowdbands.com, about the concept and their further plans ... 50K MUSIC: You have just started Crowdbands and “want to save the world from bad music“. How would you define your mission? Peter: There is a gap in the record industry today where credible artists like The Donnas are itching to make great records, but where labels focus on flash in the pans like Ke$ha and Justin Bieber. We aim to fill that gap with a platform that allows bands and fans to get closer earlier in the writing and recording process. 50K MUSIC: Your approach is rather crowdsourcing (with using the wisdom of the crowds) than crowd or fan funding, isn't it? Peter: That is true, our members have an equal voice in the choices we put forth. You can’t buy greater influence than other members by paying more money. We are not in the business of selling mentions in liner notes, or t-shirts or mugs. We are in the business of providing a unique experience to our members. 50K MUSIC: What does Crowdbands offer musicians once they've joined? Actually, can they simply "join"? Peter: At this point musicians can’t ‘join’ per se. We are actively talking to a variety of bands that we feel could do well on the platform, we hope to announce a couple more in the next few weeks. 50K MUSIC: And what are the benefits and chances for fans? Peter: The main benefit to the fans is to be part of the artistic process, which to date they have not had a chance to participate in. Their voice is heard and they help support and guide a band they love. We are giving them free music from our bands, and we are creating experiences only they have access to. 50K MUSIC: You're focusing on a small number of musicians to support or more precisely one band, The Donnas, at the moment. Do you think this could be the right way? Peter: We will add more acts over time, but we are not going to be a platform for hundreds of bands like some of our competitors. We believe in keeping it small, focused, and curated. This way we can really listen to our members and truly implement their desires for our bands. 50K MUSIC: Don't you think you will overstrain fans with all the decisions they have to make and the artists with executing these decisions? Peter: Participation on the fan side is voluntary – you either vote or you don’t. It is up to the fan. The Donnas want to hear from the fans and make decisions with them and so they are ready to execute the decisions made. Some of the decisions are for the Crowdbands team to execute on as well. 50K MUSIC: If you need fast decisions I guess the process on Crowdbands could be a little bit complicated. Is grassroots democracy really the best way? Peter: Define fast. We can turn a decision around in matter of hours or a few days. In 99% of the cases that is not needed however, in the creative process things take time and so the fans and the band have more than that to make up their minds. 50K MUSIC: Do you think fan funding or your new approach will be the gravedigger of big labels? Will websites like Crowdbands, Pledgemusic, SellaBand or Slicethepie really revolutionize music business? Peter: As in many other industries there is room for different models and players. We believe we have a place in the industry and to some extent we are revolutionizing the process. The fans should have more input in the music they love. 50K MUSIC: What are your further plans on Crowdbands for 2011? Peter: More bands, more fans, more decisions and more fun as part of the whole process. 50K MUSIC: Anything else you want to let 50K MUSIC readers know? Peter: Come join us, we are eager to listen to and work with a diverse group of music fans.
