Ash are ready to make good on their decision never to release albums ever again. Their A-Z project which sees the now New York-based band release 26 songs; one every fortnight for the next twelve months, on 7” vinyl and digital download kicks off in December.
Another act taking the completely independent route are Canadian band Metric who recently released their album Fantasies. Metric’s manager told the LA Times that by selling direct to fans from their website and download stores like iTunes, Metric have already made more money on the new album than their last (and relatively popular Live it Out) record achieved in four years.
Taking the “direct to fan” approach further is Josh Freese, who gained plenty of exposure thanks to his unique scheme. The alt-rock drummer made enough noise with former bands A Perfect Circle, Nine Inch Nails, Devo and The Vandals, that when it came to releasing his second solo album Since 1972, he decided to come up with a novel and attention-grabbing way of releasing it.
In the form of value-added purchase tiers, Freese’s website offered fans the opportunity to purchase the album along with a personal five minute “Thank You” phone call from Josh for $50. From there, the price went up considerably. $250 includes lunch with Josh at PF Changs (limited to 25 – now sold out), for $500 you can join Josh in a trip to a Sensory Deprivation Tank with dinner afterwards. For $5000 Josh offers to write a song about you and put it up on iTunes, co-direct a video for the song, take you for some margaritas and a private tour of Disneyland. Another package, limited to one for the tune of $20,000 which includes amongst other things – a tour of Josh’s old haunts, a minature golf trip with Josh along with friends Maynard of Tool and Mark Mothersbaugh from Devo, two songs written about you, a foot massage and a chance to take three things from Josh’s closet is now sold out. Freese stopped just short of letting you sleep with him!
Of course, these three acts are already established in some form so the real challenge lies in making the direct to fan model work for lesser-known bands. With low overheads and a big of ingenuity (not to mention decent tunes), it’s not an inconceivable future.
Fri, May 29, 2009
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