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Post by Thomas Eversole on Sept 17, 2016 15:16:28 GMT -6
You know you've struck a nerve on the CMR when you make one post, and in 2 days 5 people quote it their replies.
How do you gents feel about crowdfunding for albums? Please respond!
My opinion, the onlookers who are donating or not donating don't have ethics to weigh. No moral knock down drag out to be had because its not wrong to donate or not donate.
I do think, however, think that a band asking for thousands of dollars to fund an album or pay for studio time borders on being unethical. ...or is at least extremely tacky to me. I mean, asking for handouts so you can make money with it would be like me standing with a bucket at an intersection in town so my job can buy additional work station PCs.
I brought this up on the CMR, one example of a metal related crowdfundthing I like is the Reanimated Radio hearse. See, Blake's not making money with that vehicle or the radio station because those are ministry items. I understand how a Christian metal band might be a ministry in its music, but its moreso than JUST a ministry because money is involved in merch.
There's no ministry aspect just in studio time or paying for CDs. That's the entertainment aspect.
Like if I was in a super awesome band that thousands of people loved and I crowdfundme $3000 for a new guitar. ...or $5400 to re-release an album. $10000 to go into the studio. Noooooooooooooooooooo
The amount really doesn't matter to me, it could be $20 towards studio time. Doesn't matter. I don't like Christian "bands", "labels"/"anything else that's asking for money to make money" that do this. I don't like it. Hell nein. Thumbs down. It sucks.
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Post by exo on Sept 18, 2016 2:40:51 GMT -6
I question how many bands out there, Christian or otherwise, ACTUALLY turn any sort of profit. You know, beyond "cover costs and bills".....
I don't know that "make money" is always the aim of "crowdfunding an album", and therein lies the rub. It can take some SERIOUS cash outlay to produce a listenable work, dependent on genre, and what qualifies as "acceptable" quality to said genre's fans, and sometimes a band, or individual, simply doesn't have the financial wherewithal to front the costs. In the past, SOMEONE has ALWAYS fronted the cost for MOST bands that have signed to any sort of label of note. Things have changed as far as the industry model, but for most folks, the cost is still there. Also: one man black/death projects are not "most folks". That's not said to be a knock at all, just that YOUR case, with what you've accomplished and the audience it's for is not "most folks".
I also don't know how much of a difference there is between crowd funded donation and the type of charitable kindness from friends of mine it would take in order for ME to get something out there. I've got some offers to help, if the time ever gets here, but it's still gonna require a monetary investment that i frankly don't know if I can make. I CAN'T do it by myself as a one man, I have neither the talent nor the expertise required to do so. I would need help in the form of free or highly discounted services......someone would in essence be Making a donation in the form of their labor.....
So me, personally, while I have yet to engage in a crowdfunding effort for music, I don't get up in arms about the concept either.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Sept 18, 2016 9:04:24 GMT -6
I can only speak for myself, but I'm in the green for Hguols and Orationem. Barely broke even for Ankou Awaits. It would have been a loss if it weren't for the 2013 album selling all copies.
I have a feeling my view on this is similar to pan handling. Some people probably think those are homeless people trying to get by. I'm in the group of people that think they're looking for fast cash from a sucker.
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Post by nocturnaliridescence on Sept 18, 2016 9:48:33 GMT -6
I think it depends on the circumstances. If the band's music is serving some kind of really good purpose like charity work, or even just getting a really important message out there, I don't think asking for help is wrong. Some people just don't have the resources or money on their own. If there are tons of people who really want a new album and the band can't make it happen on their own, ... basically if there's some kind of reason for people to donate money to the band, I'm okay with it. But if it's all just in the name of entertainment or something, then I think the money could go toward something better, and provide much-needed help somewhere else. Not to say that I like, want hobbyist musicians to settle for less than their music deserves, it's just, with all the other, more serious problems in our world right now... I think the crowdfunded money could go to better use.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Sept 18, 2016 15:28:13 GMT -6
If the band's music is serving some kind of really good purpose like charity work, or even just getting a really important message out there, I don't think asking for help is wrong. Some people just don't have the resources or money on their own. There's a huge difference between providing resources or help... and GIVING MONEY as a resource. I want a professional recording for my album. Do I ask people (online) how to do this myself or where to record locally at a rate in my current budget? ...or do I ask for money? I want to press 50 CDs. Do I find a company (online) in my current budget or research how to DIY CDs? ...or do I ask for money?I want a new guitar because my current one broke. Do I research (online) how to possibly repair it or local/online shops selling an affordable model? ...or do I ask for money?Money is the stomping ground for temptation, and the possibility is too great for it to be used for something else besides what the donation is for. Also, bands with the answer of "throw money at it" are lazy. Everyone starts out as an indie musician, regardless of the genre. Bands should work their way up, with documented talent (recordings) corresponding with their ability to produce said talent. "I want this" therefore "Ask for money to buy it" is just bad form for a secular band, let alone a Christian one. Again, my gripe is 100% about the entity asking for the money. Its greedy. If anyone wants to just give money away to greedy people, they're more than welcome to in my opinion.
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