Believers update
Comments tool ready for launch
On Thursday September 14 SellaBand will add a new application for Believers to the website. From this day on it will be possible to leave messages on the artist profile page(s). Because www.sellaband.com partly was and still is, a work in progress, until now all a Believer could do was buy Parts from their favorite SellaBand artists. From Thursday onwards, buying a Part also grants you the right to leave messages and comments for the artist(s) you believe in. Tell them how much you like them, which of their songs you like best and if there are things where you feel there is still room for improvement. "The last thing we want is Believers to be passive", says Pim Betist, creator of the SellaBand concept. "Our credo is make music and money together and while we encourage artists to find as many Believers they need to raise $50,000, this should not be a one-sided affair. Believers must have the possibility to be vocal as well about the music and bands they believe in." Also launching in the coming weeks is a discussion forum, as well as open to the public profile pages for Believers. This will be the place where you can let other SellaBand users know who you are, where you're from and what music you like, amongst other things.
Since the launch of SellaBand on August 15 2006, almost 1500 music-lovers have registered as Believers. People from all over the world, from Brasil to Russia and from Canada to the Republic of Korea, over 50 nationalities are already represented on the website. The addition of the comment-tool is the first step in the communication plan that is currently being worked out by SellaBand. Next will be a discussion forum, as well as visible profile pages for Believers (similar to the Artist pages) where you can blog, make friends and, most importantly, can be vocal about the Artist(s) you support and Believe in. Watch this space as well as our regular newsletters for further developments.
All the way from Long Island, NY: IGT (Ill Gotten Team)
Introducing IGT
IGT is one of the more recent additions to SellaBand, but this 4 piece HipHop crew have quickly settled in the higher ranks of our program. IGT, which stands for Ill Gotten Team are from Long Island, New York, home of the groundbreaking rapgroup Public Enemy, and have roughly been together for 10 years. IGT were once signed to the legendary and now defunkt Loud label. Just when they were about to release their debut album, the record company folded and IGT were left to their own devices once more. The group kept on going nevertheless and have since made quite an impression on several online platforms. With over 15,000 friends on MySpace, IGT have now made the business decision to actively promote SellaBand on their MySpace home page. This is a clear call for action from IGT, who encourage all of their 'friends'to buy Parts and become Believers. Their excellent song Mama Said (feat. M-1 of Dead Prez) is rapidly becoming one of the most played songs on SellaBand.
For more info on IGT, click here
You are the music, we are the show!
Strange but true: one of the most asked questions dropped at info@sellaband.com is: who are these guys that run SellaBand? So, after a long internal debate (we are proud of what we do here, but are not very vain) we decided to publish (small) pictures of the SellaBand Team.
This is us: | Johan Vosmeijer / Managing Director |
 | Pim Betist / Creative Director |
 | Dagmar Heijmans / Music Director |
 | Christiaan Kröner / TechCrunch |
Fanmail to the SellaBoys: info@sellaband.com
In classic rockpose: Manda Ophuis, singer from Dutch band Nemesea.
Photo by Rayann Elzein
Q + A Nemesea
Dutch band sells over 700 Parts in 3 weeks
Attracting the most Believers since the launch of SellaBand and currently on their way to $10.000 in budget, is Nemesea. After hearing about the brand new concept of SellaBand this lot decided to take fate in their own hands and have accepted the challenge to become the first band in history to 'Make Money & Music With Their Fans'. Here's how they plan to do it.
1. Tell us a little bit more about Nemesea?
Nemesea originated in September of 2002. Nemesea is a so called " Gothic Rock" band coming from the Netherlands. Their self-produced debut album 'MANA' was a big success and sold over 6.000 copies. The current line up is Manda- vocals, H.J.- guitar, Sonny- bass, Steven- drums, Berto- keys and Martijn- guitar.
2. Why did you join the SellaBand program?
We were looking for a new record deal since our cooperation with our previous label ended a few months ago. Then we heard about the SellaBand program and immediately liked the concept. SellaBand is revolutionary and we think this our chance to record a very professional album in a unique and innovating way. For us it's very important that fans/believers are really involved and we can offer them something special.
3. What's your secret? How did you get to $5,000 so quickly on your SellaBand account?
The moment we knew we would enter the SellaBand program we asked ourselves the same question. We organized a band meeting and put all our ideas together. We made a promotional 'campaign' set-up and just tried to reach as many people as we could. We made people aware of the fact something new and exciting was happening. Of course there is the advantage of having a solid group of fans already.
4. Do you already know what you want your SellaBand album to sound like?
We have a pretty good idea of what the album should sound like. For us it's very important that we know we'll be working with professional people, might we raise the 50.000. We have a lot to learn and we think this is the opportunity to do so.
5. Which studio and producer would you like to work with?
I think we need a producer that is interested in heavy/rock oriented music but has experience with pop oriented music as well. Someone who knows today's music business and, more importantly, the music of tomorrow. I think we need a studio that's good in creating a heavy, tight and big sound.
6. Why should people buy a Part (or more Parts) from Nemesea?
Nemesea won't disappoint you, for sure. We will make a revolutionary album through a revolutionary concept. YOU can be a part of it!!!
7. Do you have a special message for your Believers?
Nemesea won't disappoint you, for sure. We will make a revolutionary album through a revolutionary concept. Thank you for BEING part of it!!!
8. When can people see Nemesea play live in the near future?
When we finish the new album we will try to play as many concerts as we can. This is the greatest thing to do, play live! It's what we do best!
Wanna know more?
www.nemesea.com
www.sellaband.com/nemesea
www.myspace.com/nemeseaband
Golden rules of A&R
There's a whole bunch of people on our Expert Page. From now on these fine professionals will have a voice too. You'll find their opinions and advice here on the SellaBand Tribune. Leading the way is Adam Sieff from London, who we like to refer to as 'The Man In The Know', so musicians and believers alike, you'd better take this man's words to heart.
By Adam Sieff
You probably know all this stuff already but here are some things to consider while you're waiting for the drummer to fix his bass drum pedal so the rehearsal can actually get started. Many would say 'this isn't rocket science' - but in fact it's much more important than that.
Rule No 1
The song, the whole song and nothing but the song. The song comes first. Period.Rule No 2
Success is about talent - not PR.Rule No 3
Believe in yourself and don't follow the pack.Rule No 4
Be critical of what you're doing and keep raising your standards.Rule No 5
Read the first rule again. Over and over.Once you put the songs and the performances together the hard work really starts. There are a lot of bands out there competing to be heard by the music biz and the public.
So consider these:
1. Get your music to the people:
Via Sellaband (naturally), myspace, live gigs, YouTube.......every day there's another way to get your music heard by someone somewhere. And you never know who's listening.
2. Turn friends and people who like your music into fans and Believers:
Word of mouth is the best PR and doesn't cost a penny. And people like to be have ownership of something they like.
3. Don't be shy about asking people to get involved.
Most will be happy to be considered important enough by you.
4. There are no set rules so start thinking up some original marketing ideas.
Get creative and ask friends for their ideas too. Could be that charity gig will have local TV coverage!
5. It's only Rock 'n Roll but take it seriously.
You can't expect others to treat you as the real thing if you don't do so yourself.
And remember - if it was so easy everyone would be doing it. If you've got what it takes and you're prepared to make it work then you're probably going to do just fine!
You can find all SellaBand experts here
| Top 10 most played songs August 2006 on SellaBand: | |
|---|---|
| 1. | Nemesea - No More |
| 2. | The Q4 - Reminisce |
| 3. | Headphone - Stars |
| 4. | Kirt - Malicious |
| 5. | Simeon - Hört Auf |
| 6. | The Q4 - Lose Control |
| 7. | The Drift - Try Again |
| 8. | Danny Vera - My Confessions |
| 9. | Headphone - Rubber Knives |
| 10. | Daniel Ward Murphy - The Most Important Thing |
| Top 10 most played artists August 2006 on SellaBand: | |
|---|---|
| 1. | Nemesea |
| 2. | Danny Vera |
| 3. | Kirt |
| 4. | Headphone |
| 5. | Simeon |
| 6. | The Q4 |
| 7. | Knackebrödt |
| 8. | Almeros |
| 9. | Daniel Ward-Murphy |
| 10. | An Nedolas |