New contributor
James Robinson caught up with Ben from UK band Ghouls to discuss crowd funding, new albums, and touring...
Crowd funding or pledging is not a new concept. The act of raising capital through small independent investments, often for a part of the venture at stake is as old as capitalism itself; however, in recent times it has become much more synonymous with artists, film makers, bands and musicians, operating within an industry model that has become much more warped over the past fifteen or years or so, thanks in great part to the web (and Lars Ulrich). And whilst distribution platforms and outlets are now no longer under the mighty lock and key of major labels, studios, television networks and radio stations, there is still no changing the fact that in order to produce an end product, there is still the need for cold hard cash.
Numerous established artists have used this model of funding. However, for smaller and unsigned bands, this source of income can be a major factor in progressing to the next stage in their career, without the aid and debt of studio backing. For one, it means that in essence a band can break even in pre-release sales before entering a studio to record and release the actual album. Fans are given options to pledge a minimum donation of money for a digital copy of the album, or can donate more at their own behest for signed physical copies, t-shirt bundles and whatever else the band has to offer.
One such band utilising this approach to fund their debut album are London’s raucous gypsy/ska/punk/alt/folk collective Ghouls. After cutting their teeth on the live circuit and amassing a fan base for themselves on the underground scene that has also seen Frank Turner show love for their cause via twitter, they are ready to take things to that next level.
I recently spoke to Ben about how this DIY approach and fan interaction remains so present and forefront in the punk community.The Punk Archive: Why did you decide to use crowd funding to finance your album?
Ben: It's something we felt went really well with our whole DIY vibe. Since we started this band we've kept everything very close to home and done near enough everything ourselves. Also, it's a great way to promote ourselves while getting the album together, meaning a few people should want it by the time it's released!
The Punk Archive: How has the response been so far?
Ben: Absolutely phenomenal. I don't think we expected it to go up as quick as it has been going so far, but we obviously want to do everything we can to make sure we hit the total so we can make this album and get it out there.
The Punk Archive: Do you think that this new way of funding an album or tour will be beneficial for newer acts, or is there still a lot of work to do touring and gigging wise to make a name for yourselves before you can consider doing something like this?
Ben: I think it's definitely a good way for new acts to get funding for things like EPs and albums, even tours. It really shows the rest of the music world that there are people out there who care about real music and who care about new bands. Working hard touring and gigging is what being in a band is all about so I think that has to be done regardless; but I think tackling a pledge as a band that aren't that well known makes it a lot more exciting. The harder you work for it, the better the outcome. This album is something we're putting our all into, and hopefully that will be apparent once it's been heard!
The Punk Archive: Being part of the punk and ska scene, does this approach feel more in keeping with the DIY ethic that has always driven the punk community?
Ben: Definitely, the DIY approach is something we've always had as a band. It's something that has always driven music that stems its roots in punk and driven new music to be heard. It's a good way to be because it means we really care about everything: it's all ours!
The Punk Archive: Asking fans to donate to the album in advance really gives them a chance to not only
feel part, but to
be a part of it. What do you hope that they will get from this?
Ben: Well, hopefully everyone who pledges towards the album does feel like they are a part of it, and a part of us as a band. Getting this album together is something we just really want to do, not just for ourselves but for the people who do care enough about it and want to be a part of it! We love what we do as a band and the people we play to, whether they've just heard us that night or been to loads of gigs and rep the t-shirt. It gives us the biggest buzz! Anybody that pledges towards this album should feel proud every time they hear it, as they'll have been as much a part of making it as anyone else involved.
The Punk Archive: How did you decide what extras you would offer to those who wished to go above and beyond the pledge for the album download only? There's some pretty interesting offers up for grabs on your pledge music page...
Ben: The extras were something that we all discussed as a sort of joke on one drunken night, and they all somehow made it onto the pledge! We wanted to offer out stuff that wasn't just your usual crowd-funding based pledges, and we wanted the things to be customised to us as individuals and to our personalities. The main thing we wanted was to give the opportunity to people who pledge to hang out with us and see what we get up to. Being in this band is a crazy journey and we want people to be able to get a flavour of it and to get involved! The house party gigs are something we want to do a lot of (even beyond the pledge). House parties are awesome things to play: there's definitely something really cool about playing in a living room!
The Punk Archive: It's great that with every 10% milestone you guys reach, you will be celebrating and uploading a special video. Can you let us in on what might be in store?
Ben: There's some good things in store. We'll be revealing them all soon, but they range from guerilla gigs in well known places, to carrying out good deeds. The final one involves something very permanent, a bit of ink, and supposedly, pain!
The Punk Archive: Finally, what are your plans for the rest of 2013?
Ben: Well, we are just going to keep on touring like we do, because we love it so much! We are currently booking a full-on August tour where we will hopefully be playing every single day of the month. It's not totally booked yet, but getting there: if anyone wants to help us out then feel free! So we'll definitely be staying on a lot more random people's living room floors, a lot more antics in places we've never been that we'll make sure we get on film, and just some really good stories in the making! And, if the pledge goes to plan, the album should be out some time in the Autumn.
You can pledge towards Ghouls' new album here:
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/ghouls
Original article can be found on The Punk Archive website
here
