SellaBand in the press
These are busy times for us. Busy, but happy times. Since our launch on August 15, a lot of articles have been written about SellaBand, mostly online. Trendwatchers like Springwise and Techcrunch wrote favorable stories about the concept of SellaBand, and our name appeared in countless blogs. Last week was a particularly good time for us, publicity-wise. Leading Dutch newspaper NRC signalled Nemesea's early lead on SellaBand's program and wrote: 'This sounds fantastic, but romantic as well, because, who wants to put money in a bunch of completely unknown musicians. But, this is exactly what is happening with Nemesea at the moment?'
Last Monday SellaBand's Johan Vosmeijer was joined in a radio-studio by Believer Petra Verkerk, for an interview for BBC World Service. In a show called The Beat, Petra got the chance to plug her favorite SellaBand, Flowdown. 'What a fantastic way to hear my favorite band on the radio', she laughed afterwards.
And then on Friday, September 22, the frontpage of the Financial Times read: 'STOCK 'N ROLL, The online startup selling shares in fledgling bands.' Well actually, we don't sell shares, but Parts, but overall this was great coverage. In artist Daniel Ward-Murphy's words: 'Consumers get to hear and support a wide range of new music without feeling it's being forced down their throats.'
Again, thank you for your kind words, Daniel, and what a great platform to promote SellaBand!
Lastly, in this week's Billboard Magazine, an American publication, often referred to in the music-industry as 'the bible', has a beautiful headline that reads: SELLABAND TAKES FLIGHT WITH ONLINE ANGELS. In the article not only the concept is explained, but there is an official comment from a record-executive as well. Steve Sass, head of A&R at Atlantic Records UK states: "It looks like a lot of fun," he says, "and the element of having to invest to show commitment means you're voting with your wallet rather than just clicking on something. Is it going to throw up future superstars? It's possible."
More newsfeatures in several publications are expected in the next days and weeks and we will keep you posted as they come in.
Artist quotes... continued!
Last week we asked a number of our artists to tell us what they think of SellaBand. A lot of Tribune-readers have written us that they love these quotes and what to read more, so there you go... Having said that, what about Believers telling us what they think? As we head towards 2,000 registered Believers, we are convinced that they have a lot to say as well. Want to have your quote in the SellaBand Tribune? Send an e-mail to info@sellaband.com with your quote, your full name, the artist(s) you have bought Parts from and your nationality and we’ll let the rest of our community know your thoughts...
"Im happy that fans have now the possibility to decide actively which band will release next.Actually thats what the musicbiz and majors should be about,to release what people want to listen to but unfortunately nowadays it's more about chartcompatibilty than about what the listener wants.SellaBand now makes it possible again and Im totally glad this concept was developed.Im sure this will change a lot in the near future and good music will have a chance again to be heard."
Compulsory Skin, Germany
www.sellaband.com/compulsoryskin
"We are somewhat down-to-earth, and if you ask us, it goes a bit far to say that SellaBand is equal to revolution (a word which one should use sparsely). But don't get us wrong: we think it's a GREAT concept! Due to this concept, it's not a person at a record company who decides which artist has all the right qualities to make a record. The Believers themselves decide who records an album! It's obvious that the Believers know for sure about what they like and what they don't. Compared to that, record companies are just guessing. And in case a company is betting on the wrong horse, they need to push the music down our throats, to make a profit. So, please let SellaBand take over the world, called Music Industry. It's all good.
As artists, we felt kind of sceptical towards SellaBand at first. To us, it seemed that SellaBand was just another evil marketing and money absorbing rampart with no good intentions towards anyone, but itself. As creative artists, we are afraid of such horrors. Afraid to loose the copyrights on our own creations, afraid of not being allowed to record the music the way we like, afraid to be used for things we don't want to be used for. You get the picture. Luckily, we didn't drop out, based on that prejudice. We have read the terms of agreement in detail and we have asked the creators of SellaBand for more clarification where desired. The terms are very fair and satisfactory to us, and made us decide to go for it, all the way!
Now, we hope you want to go all the way with us, so, go Believe and get yourself some SNELLE JONGENS Parts!"
SNELLE JONGENS, The Netherlands
www.sellaband.com/snellejongens
"The music industry is more and more impersonal these days. Here is a chance to shape your own destiny and to actually get fans involved..."
IGT, United States
“With SellaBand there is a refreshing wind blowing through the sleepy world of making records, and it is also possible to get the attention you need from a lot of people, with the possebility of a dreamcontract!”
MaYorMyx, The Netherlands
Q + A Daniel Ward Murphy
‘I believe in the power of the public’
1. Who is Daniel Ward-Murphy?
Daniel Ward-Murphy is a singer/songwriter who just wants to write and play music. There are elements of folk, country, rock, pop and even classical and jazz in the music, but the song always remains at the centre. I’m hoping he’s also someone who will feature on your MP3 and CD players in the future.
2. How long have you been making music?
Well I wrote my first song when I was 13. It had a few good bits in it but it wasn’t my finest work! I was the non-musical one in a family of technically good musicians and then I kind of got more and more into the idea of songwriting. I don’t have the typical emotional artistic temperament but I believed in music as a form of personal expression and as a very powerful thing.
3. What attracted you to SellaBand?
The opportunity to reach lots and lots of people. I believe the public should have the power to choose who rises to the top and who doesn’t and the SellaBand concept provides that. The reaction I have had at gigs has convinced me that there is a market for my music out there - I just hope this will prove to the way I can reach those people. I would urge all of you to go to my page, listen to my songs and see if you like it. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank all of you who have ‘believed’ so far.
Apart from picking up new fans, the idea of going back into the studio with a real budget is what appeals most to me.
4. How do you try to find and convince new Believers?
Well I use the three tracks I recorded in April as a calling card for the internet community and at my live gigs, which I believe is the best advert for me, I make sure the audience knows the SellaBand details. Its nice to say to new fans ‘you can secure my next recording by going here’ rather than ‘I’ll let you know when a label picks me up’.
5. Is the SellaBand-virus catching on a bit in the UK?
I think so. It’s still early days but all the feedback I have heard has been positive. It’s now just a case of directing more people to the site and waiting for the word to spread. I think its inevitable that it will take off in certain countries first but I think the world is ready for SellaBand now.
6. What kind of album would you like to make and who would you want to work with?
I want to make an album that’s good all the way through and, whilst having a certain sound, has a good variety - happy songs, sad songs, big songs, intimate songs… In terms of who I would like to work with, I had the pleasure of working with Tony Platt to record the three songs you can currently hear on SellaBand and in an ideal world I would like to continue that musical relationship. Tony has worked with some personal heroes of mine and has the variety of experience to really challenge me to go to the next level.
7. Any chance of catching you on a live-stage in the near future?
Yes! In London, I am playing the Cobden Club on Tue 3rd October and The Old Queens Head on Mon 23rd October. If you are close enough, come along and introduce yourself to me after the gig – you can get the gig details on http://www.danielwm.com
8. Are there other artists on SellaBand that you like, particularly?
I think more and more quality is coming onto the site now. I haven’t yet had the opportunity to listen to everyone yet but my personal favourites are headphone, cubworld and Kane Sole. Those three would probably end up on my MP3 player once they sell their 5000 parts.
Nemesea: 20% in 40 days!
Happy faces in the north of Holland, earlier this week, when Nemesea became the first unsigned band ever, to raise $10.000 for a future-recording. As early as 6:46AM on Monday Morning, we received an e-mail from Nemesea-singer Manda, who exclaimed: ‘WHOOOHOOOO..................$10.000!!!!!!’
So Manda, we have reason to believe that you are excited! ‘Yes, we are totally thrilled. Before the weekend I saw my picture on the cover of the Financial Times, and now we have officially raised $10.000 on SellaBand, how can I not be excited?!’ Later that same day we received an official statement from the band: "It's truly amazing: 1000 parts in one month time!
Our appreciation goes out to all believers and SellaBand.
Together we can make it happen!” The band are currently preparing a new song, to be added to their profile page in the next weeks.
Coming soon...
We don’t want to wet your appetite too much, but when we received the brand new designs for our SellaBand Charts this Monday, we just couldn’t wait to show them to you. So, here’s an impression of what our charts will look like. Now that the designs are ready, the program to run the charts can be built and this will take another week or two. But, we promise it will be worth the wait. The charts will be updated daily and you can select on various options, such as ‘budget’ ‘number of believers’ and ‘number of plays’. Just watch this space for further announcements...
Introducing... LILY
Last week an artist named Lily made her entry on the first page of our Artist search. Adding a latin flavor to our already varied array of musical genres, Lily offer both musical skills and a certain sex appeal. Her full name is Liliana Vasquez and she was born and raised in Colombia. In 1990 she moved to the United States and started working on her career as a professional entertainer. Lily took vocal lessons at Kennedy’s Music in New Jersey and has sung and performed in parades and on several festivals. On top of that she is also a skilled mambo dancer. Singing and dancing for most of her life, Lily has traveled around the world as a professional performer and has already starred on several tv-shows as well.
After hearing about SellaBand, she decided to join straight away. Although she has just finished recording her own CD, she is convinced that the concept of SellaBand can take her career to an even higher level: “As an artist, it is always important to attract and maintain a fan or support base. The fans are the judges and the drivers in our career. Finally, thanks to sellaband, the fans can be part of our success and benefit from it. It just makes sense!” Quickly on her way to the first $1,000 in budget, who knows how soon she will get the chance to record another album.