The folks at ArtistShare had an interesting idea that seems to be bearing fruit. The web site connects musicians and their recording/composition projects with a world of supporters and patrons on the web.
Artists post their projects for possible funding. Fans can browse the list of offers and contribute from $10 to $10,000 to fund their project of choice. Artists can also set up an official project home page on the site (here’s one for Simpson’s composer Alf Clausen).
While it’s not a new idea — artists have been gathering funds from fans since Beethoven and before — the web enables a new level of connection for a wider range of artists.
The service recently celebrated its first member Grammy award, with the Brian Lynch/Eddie Palmieri Project’s Simpatico.
Kinda cool. Thanks, Derek, for the link.
This is a great site – and a great project that provides a direct relationship between artist and appreciator. Also minimizes music sales revenues from getting too far away from the artist.
I believe that Maria Schneider received a Grammy award in 2004 for one of her ArtistShare records.
http://www.artistshare.com/artist_project_join.aspx?ProjectID=2&artistID=1&salesTypeID=6
Absolutely, Maria Schneider and ArtistShare got a 2005 Grammy for her recording Concert in the Garden, the first Grammy winning recording with Internet-only sales. Founder Brian Camelio could be rightfully called a visionary, I’m proud that he’s a member of the jazz faculty here at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, NYC.
Martin Mueller, Exec. Dir.
Something to keep an eye on in the near future is the Nashville Chamber Orchestra’s translation of Brian’s approach with jazz artists to the contemporary/classical music world. This highly creative chamber orchestra is working with ArtistShare on a new project that will allow people to take a peek into the artistic process of a solo artist as well as the inner workings of the orchestra. Looking to Beethoven for musical and entrepreneurial innovation…
Gretchen Nielsen, EmcArts
Consultant for Orchestras