The Ellie Williams Story:



50K in 50 Days!


Never, in the history of SellaBand, have we seen an artist rise to 50K as fast and elegantly as Ellie Williams. Her existing fans, friends and family joined hand in hand with our dedicated community and turned her journey into a heroic event that would make any Olympic athlete jealous. This is the story in her own words...




By Ellie Williams


On 19th March 2008 I reached my target on Sellaband of $50,000. It has been a few days since we hit and I was so pleased and grateful to be in the chat room when it happened. The support of my family, friends and believers has meant the world to me.

I think things started to kick off on the Tuesday evening following the article in the Tribune. Lovely Christiaan posted to say that he had opened the countdown chat room and that was I think when we hit 35k.  That was amazing. I spent some time in the chat room that night talking to my Believers and some fellow artists. I was talking with Triff, MaWa and SteveM to name a few and I was so worried about going to bed because I didn't want to miss it. It got to about 1:30 AM and I had to give in to the tiredness!


The next day in work seems like a blur. I remember watching the Parts ticking over but I was training two new girls at work, so I couldn't look at the computer that often. My lovely friend and boss Sally, was sweet enough to knock on the training room door at regular intervals and tell me where we were. I wasn't able to eat anything all day! My mum joined me in the office for lunch and I kept in regular contact with my husband Steve. It got about 3.30pm and Sally came into the training room and said I think you better see this! At this point I think we were just short of 47k. I called my wonderful rock Steve and he managed to get down to my work place at about 4pm and sat with me, holding my hand, for the rest of the countdown. We were in the chat room and luckily one of my sisters Kay (Fin's Mum) and my dad joined us. My other sister Natalie was barred from accessing at her work but managed to keep in contact by text. My poor Mum was driving!
 
At around 4.38pm I suddenly realised we had hit it and Triple Blue Lu had been the one to take me up to the 50k along with the other 552 believers. A great cheer went up and then there were hugs, cheers and tears. I also had a wonderful bouquet of flowers and some champagne from one of my biggest Believers. At that moment my breath really was taken away. It was such a special and truly perfect moment. That evening I tried to pop into the chat room whilst having champagne and cake with my family and close friends. I think that was the best night's sleep I have ever had.


A lot of people have been asking me "what's my secret" and to be honest it is a difficult one to answer. I didn't have any "game plan" or any "tricks". When I joined up I simply emailed all my friends and colleagues and asked them to email all their friends and colleagues. I then contacted all the local newspapers and radio stations to see if anyone would be willing to help me. Luckily, the Express and Echo (my local paper) BBC Radio Devon and Gemini FM, agreed amazingly to help me raise the profile of SellaBand and my music. I think because we haven't really heard a lot about it in the UK, the actual concept of the site captured peoples imagination. Then some of you lovely believers started listening and a few of you offered words of advice. I didn't spam or run any incentives as such, just access to a believers area on my website for any one who bought any amount of parts, just as a thank you. I also think you have to stay visible in the charts as that's how a lot of people stumble over you. A little luck here as I joined on a Tuesday evening and therefore with the initial parts from family and friends managed to get into the charts. I also enjoyed speaking with the new friends I was meeting and having a giggle, you can't take things too seriously! (Hence the cheese hat!!)

And here we are. Since then I have done a couple of Radio shows and am trying my best to keep promoting Sellaband wherever I can. I am slowing getting through replying to all those who bought parts or wrote to me and I am so grateful to those of you who have said take your time. I will get there though!

The next step then? I am meeting with Adam in two weeks time and we are going to start to put together plans for the album and meet with a producer. For anyone who has read my 50k plan you know where I am going and I want you to know I listened to all your comments. The biggest one is to "keep it simple".  

I won't forget that your belief got me where I am and I don't think I will ever be able to show my gratitude to you all, and you won't ever know quite how much this has meant to me. All I can do is offer you an album to be proud of and to say humbly and proudly,

"Believe in all your dreams, and you might make some".
You believed in me, and I believe in SellaBand."

 

Still Going Strong:

Nearfield

 

In which we offer a platform to SellaBand artists who have been with us for some time now and have not been featured in the Tribune for a while. The road to 50K may be long and winding, we salute those who are still going strong regardless. This week: Nearfield who continue to fly the flag for Portugal on SellaBand...

 

 

How's life? 

"Life's been fair and square to us with some turning point projects starting to roll! Thank you!"

You seem to have been absent for a while. What happened?

"Nothing much but there was some disturbance as I have moved to a new apartment! These sort of things always interfere with your actual daily balance so all those basic stuff like Internet connection have to be re-directed and implicitly have to get new contracts done, new phone line connected… bad connection… time passes, etc… bla... bla… bla… you now how this guy works, right?" 

How frustrating is it to see other artists rush to 50k?

"Hahahaha… That was a tailor made question, right guys? Well… I'll try to be a gentleman on answering it! There's no doubt that it is a bit frustrating, not only for the artists, but also for the Believers who have invested emotionally in 'their' artists' success and end up to seeing someone skyrocket up, while others who are as equally deserving stagnate or move slowly! It's almost certain that being around 24/7/365 isn't a grant for getting there quicker let alone getting there, period. Those who got there in a snap had a common characteristic; they all have posted a strong catchy song at the right moment. Ellie Williams's "Finn's Song", Clemence's "Où es-tu?", Julia Marcel's "Accordion Player", Cubworld's "My World", to name a few, are just perfect examples to make my point. This doesn't mean SellaBand's strategy is wrong as it imposes very little restrictions, depositing the all investment responsibility on the Believer community. Except for Clemence, I think all of these 'overpowered' artists were really surprised with their receptiveness and success among this community! As I've written before, SellaBand is a school and we have made a 2 year plan to achieve our goal, learning the more we can all along the way. This said, our frustrations will only begin to show after next October (when the Nears will be celebrating their 2nd anniversary with Sellaband), if we haven't filled up the red bar by then … (…grin)."

 
Alex S, Olga and Alexx in Vienna 

Tell us about your new bar in Oporto!

"Thanks for asking about this as it gives us a chance to spread the word about it! This was an old dream come true largely influenced by this beautiful SellaBand adventure! As you know it has always been my intention to bring a SellaBand festival to Portugal but without sponsors this is certainly a hard job, especially if you need to explain everything from scratch to people who have never ever heard about the global SellaBand project with all the novelties it carries within! Having your own place makes it easier to captivate investor's attention. Also, for a band, it's like a football club having its own stadium and headquarters… The bar will open next October and will feature a 200m2 room for gigging in addition to a 250m2 lounge area and a 180m2 terrace with an amazing view over the Douro river.  For now the news I'll stick to the fact that we will have some SellaBand artists to play on the grand opening… Solid Tube? Misty Mayhem? Second Person? Confused 5? MDATA? Well… we are open to suggestions!" 

Do you have an update for us on the Lina Ron CD?

"A quick one, yes! The project is still on! I've sent an email to every entrant who have made it to the selection, asking for a final version of their song remix, re-dubbed and free from the voice of Lina Ron, the phone ring and the gun shot, in order to get a less stigmatized collection for the R'Evolution compilation! Unfortunately I've only received 5 remixes so far but some days ago Laixa adverted me that  they had never received this email so there's also a big chance that the other 10 acts had never got it too! Artists should expect a new update on this shortly!" 

Will 2008 be the year of Nearfield?

"Our 2 year plan is getting to an end so 2008 should be the year Nearfield will step into the studio with Sellaband, featuring Maitreya's production and guest vocals by Mysti Mayhem, Ricardo Muñoz and a couple more SAB registered artists! Our business/financial plan will be soon sent to SAB Heads for approval so we can substantially reduce the gap between the 50K moment and the day CD copies are ready to pack, while keeping the all thing right within the limits of the $50.000 budget!Besides that, we have planned to implement something never done before that we hope will be great for the all Sellaband community! This will be announced when the Nears are over 45K. Concerning new music to be posted to Sellaband, our activity will be reduced to a minimum of 5 new tracks as we are already working on new 'classified' material for the SAB CD. June 7th will be the day Nearfield will step on stage! The Nears will have a 25 minute debut show-case to support Light and you are all invited to come!"

 

 


Q + A: Alexx Calise


Sometimes it can take a while before an unsigned artist fully grasps the potential of the SellaBand concept. Such was the case with Alexx Calise, who joined quite a while ago, then almost got signed by a major label but has now embraced SellaBand to the maxx and calls this 'her new home'...


Who is Alexx Calise?

"Alexx Calise is a lyrical muse. An enigma, a mystery wrapped up in a question mark that goes unanswered..."

How did you find out about SellaBand and what were your initial thoughts?

"I found Sellaband while browsing around on the internet. I'm always looking for a place to hawk my music :) At first, I was a little skeptical and I felt a bit funny about accepting money from people I didn't know, but once I understood that both the artists and fans
would be benefitting from each other, then I felt more comfortable."

It did take you a while to fully grasp the potential of our concept, didn't it?

"It certainly did. It is, however a very interesting concept--giving fans the reigns but still letting the artists lead the way. Oh, I like that..."

You recently posted a message about your discontent with the major labels. What happened?

"I don't have any discontent per se. I just think they need to roll with the times and accept that physical CDs just aren't moving like they used to. The whole business model is completely different. There is no wrong or right way to do things anymore. You have to be completely different and innovative, and from what I see, they're still caught up in the old model. So, out with the old and in with the new. Move on, get over it. The future is digital baby."



What are your ambitions?

"Essentially to take over the world...musically speaking. I want to give people someone to look up to and something with substance to listen to that isn't completely debaucherous or negative or meaningless. I think that the world is overdue for a revolution, and I'd be more than happy to help lead the charge."

Any special tactics to get to 50k fast?

"Well, I was considering selling my soul, but I think I did that the day I decided to become a career musician :) No really, I don't have my hand out. I just want people to take a genuine interest in my music and, if they'd like to help me along based on what they've seen and heard, then great. I'm not desperate, I'm not in a rush. A wise man once told me that nothing great is created suddenly."

What sets you apart from other female artists?

"Well, I'm not your run-of-the-mill singer-songwriter. The content and the music itself have serious balls. I'm not afraid to say what I have to say, whether or not it's proper or ladylike or conventional. Oh yeah, and I don't know of too many other female artists/guitarists who play hard enough to regularly break their guitar strings, haha :)"



Why should people Believe in Alexx Calise?

"Well, I think it's pretty simple... Anyone who has been to my profile page and liked the songs that I've put up here should know that these tracks are only the tip of the iceberg of what is still in my head and as yet - unrecorded... :)"

* For a full explanation of Alexx Calise's experience with major record companies, read her post on the Forum. You can find it here.


Springtime in Austria



Peatnik's Production Magic...


Because he is not only known as an excellent sound engineer and muso, but also as an outspoken and articulate blogger, we invited Pete Strobl, aka Peatnik to write an exclusive story in the SellaBand Tribune about his current Austrian adventures with Recording Artists SolidTube and Confused5.


By Peatnik


Pete in Vienna

I've been away from home since the first of February...well actually I've been home since the first of February. Working with SolidTube in Vienna and ConFused5 in Salzburg represents two months of my life that I'll not soon forget. I've written about both projects extensively on my Bottom-End Blog so when Johan asked me to write a few words for the Tribune, I thought rather than repeat something that is already available, I might give you some impressions of how it feels to be working...if making music can described by that vulgar term, in the country I left many years ago. 

Vienna and Salzburg are fascinating cities. While both share the distinctly Austrian characteristic known as "gemütlichkeit." the two are as different as the projects which brought me here. I've always been fascinated by European history and the way in which ancient cultures have combined to create the world we live in today. Vienna was once the northernmost outpost of the Roman Empire and Salzburg  grew to be an important commercial center at a time when salt was worth its weight in gold. It would follow that music and the arts would thrive here and that the many cultures passing through would contribute to the culinary and folkloric makeup. One thing I know firsthand is that if you aren't eating and drinking well in Austria, you simply aren't opening your mouth.


Mandana from Solidtube & Pete during Roll over Austria

 If I had to pick one aspect of these two months which has made the biggest impression, I would say that I have been completely enchanted by the the people I've been working with. The level of respect toward me and each other is not normal in my everyday life. Every rehearsal, every recording session, every get together starts with a sincere handshake and greeting and ends with the same and best wishes for the evening...and they mean it. It seems that people here really like each other. At home, one rarely makes eye contact with strangers. The next question is usually, "Well, what are YOU looking at?" I find it charming that even strangers greet each other when entering or leaving a restaurant. 

There seems to be a marked difference in the work ethic here as well. All of the musicians from both projects have jobs and some have families. Our schedule was formulated to allow everyone to continue fulfilling their many obligations and frequently that meant double duty. But there is something about working in a recording environment that seems to make the eight hour day at the bank or the twelve hour shift at the hospital seem less tiresome. I always had the feeling that everyone was more than ready for the intense days I had planned for us...and intense is a word that can't really describe what I put both of these bands through.


When I met both bands in the rehearsal room for the first time, I started by laying out my plan of attack. It went something like this. "When I leave you, I hope to leave behind a better band than than that which you are today. Nothing will improve your musicianship as much as recording...and nothing in your life will ever put a bigger strain on your egos as the process we are about to attempt. My job is to help you create a body of work that best represents your vision with the resources that have been put at our disposal by those who have believed in you as artists. That means that there is nothing more important than what comes out of those speakers. We will attempt to simulate what your band would sound like after being together over the course of twenty years...and we will have one month in which to do this. Had we known each other for twenty years, I'm certain that there will have been times when all of you could think of ten ways to call me an idiot...and vice versa. Sadly, there is no time for this. So let me say that there is no way that you can possibly hurt my feelings and you should always say what's on your mind. I will never go out of my way to insult anyone here, but I may not have time to go out of my way to avoid it. Again, we are here to create music, so leave your sensitive egos in the car with your knives and guns, and let's go to work."

I find one of the biggest errors that bands make in rehearsal is playing at volumes that make creating a soundscape impossible. Rather than listening to each other, musicians tend to listen to themselves and the interplay that makes a track groove can be difficult to decipher. I wanted to record both of these rhythm sections as live as possible so we had a lot of work to do in this regard. During the process we deleted enough notes for a second 50K album for both these bands. At times it may have been hard to let go of notes that seemed so important at one time, but a healthy appreciation for what NOT to play is one of the benefits of years of experience. As I wrote in the SolidTube blogs, we experienced years of development within days. 



Pete with his bass guitar playing with SolidTube

I think that the very best thing that SellaBand has to offer bands like ConFused5 and SolidTube is an opportunity to experience a level of artist development that simply doesn't exist with the majors anymore. When The Doobie Brothers were signed to Warner's there was no real expectation to sell zillions of records right out of the gate. Bands were signed with an eye toward creating lasting careers and if the third album was spectacular then everyone will have done a great job. With that in mind, I have high hopes that artist development becomes a primary focus of this platform. And I hope that believers will recognize the important role they play in sponsoring an environment where artists who have not previously had the opportunity can improve and grow in the studio...where the speakers don't tell lies and the song becomes the star of the show.

On a personal note, it's all been a gas so far. To be in the room when these artists see a glimpse of how good they really can be is something that I wish all of the believers could experience just once. We are on to something here that could well change the course of many artistic lives, and for allowing me to play a part in this I can only give you my most humble thanks.