Sellaband has effectively been sold. The Belgian electronic music magazine Side-Line informs that the acquisition of the business is a fact. The new company, called SellaBand GmbH, will be operating out of Munich in Germany. The site however is still closed although it’s written on the index page that they are back online today. Also posted on the page is a message from ‘former’ CEO Johan Vosmeijer who waves goodbye:
Dutch startup Sellaband, which enabled music fans to invest in their favorite bands, last week on Friday requested provisional suspension of payments in their home country. It was promptly granted by an Amsterdam Court, and was this morning changed into full bankruptcy. However, a message that was posted on the Sellaband website claims that an acquisition of the business is imminent, and merely a matter of a “few technicalities” as they call it.
We at Muztec believe however that the concept around Sellaband is not viable on the long run. Already 99% of the bands on Sellaband don’t generate a single sponsored dollar. Also, the biggest bands that might be able to generate revenue via the site are not exactly impressed by the site. Or as one pointed out to Muztec: “Representing ourselves as beggars is not exactly the image we prefer to spread… instead we do earn enough to invest this back into recording an album. If you are relying on Sellaband you are either a very poor musician or a very poor manager of your own business.”
By
admin on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 (Sellaband)
Money and the art sector, it’s a combination which is usually only made possible via subsidies. In Amsterdams the Fonds voor de Kunst (Fund for the Art) starts an online platform next year where everyone can sponsor artprojects. Sounds familiar, no? It’s exactly the reaon why Sellaband will be helping the fund.
The yet untitled platform will focus first on the Amsterdam based art sector but will enlarge to other parts of the Netherlands if it reveals to be a succes. But… unlike with Sellaband this platform will not generate money for the ‘believers’. And that’s also the first and most important hurdle they’ll have to take.
SellaBand.com first launched in August 2006. The new SellaBand Fan Funding model launched 1st October 2009 and allows artists to raise any budget for any project. Artists are in control and retain all rights. Revenue Share is optional.
Public Enemy have already raised over $50.000 from fan donations for their new album. The band intends to get $250,000 in donations from fans to record and release the new LP. For a $25 donation fans get a share of the record’s revenues and a numbered copy. Over 700 people donated so far. The whole is powered by Sellaband and Public Enemy hope to have the fan-funded album out somewhere in 2010. Many people wondered what the $250,000 would be used for in times like this where lots of bands record albums for far less money. It seems that besides recording costs and related they also want to use it for a marketing plan. Expensive marketing plan that is.
As if there weren’t already enough option for fan funded releases, UK start-up Pledge Music launches. It allows artists to set the target for an amount they wish to raise, and then ask for pledges from fans in return for incentives including downloads, CDs and gig tickets. The company takes no money from fans until the target is met and artists retain all rights. The real difference from the rest is that they charge the lowest flat-rate commission, so they say.
I wonder if there will be enough bands able to generate enough attention and money to populate all those sites. Why not have a band featured on all of those sites and start a who is the quickest to deliver what they promise 
. I know, I’m evil.
. I know, I’m evil.
As if there weren’t already enough option for fan funded releases, UK start-up Pledge Music launches. It allows artists to set the target for an amount they wish to raise, and then ask for pledges from fans in return for incentives including downloads, CDs and gig tickets. The company takes no money from fans until the target is met and artists retain all rights. The real difference from the rest is that they charge “the lowest flat-rate commission”, so they say.
I wonder if there will be enough bands able to generate enough attention and money to populate all those sites. Why not have a band featured on all of those sites and start a who is the quickest to deliver what they promise . I know, I’m evil.
By
admin on Monday, October 12th, 2009 (Bandstocks, Sellaband)
Just a few days ago Sellaband launched the news that Public Enemy would try to beg US$ 250.000 together from the Sellaband users. Bandstocks did that stunt a few months earlier with Depeche Mode’s Dave Gahan, more or less that is. Out by the end of this month is the debut album “Dark young hearts” by FrYars. Depeche Mode fans will be pleased to know that the song “Visitors” on the album features Dave Gahan on vocals. The debut album from Fryars features production work by Luke Smith (Clor) and Stephen Hague (of New Order, Pet Shop Boys and OMD fame) and is released on their own label, Fryarcorp, which has been funded by fan based investment site Bandstocks.
Hip hop pioneers Public Enemy partner with fan-funding site Sellaband to finance their next album. The announcement looks more like a publicity stunt for Sellaband because Public Enemy is one of the first established acts to sign up to Sellaband’s new custom funding program. The aim? Raise $250,000 for the album in $25 increments. You would think that a band like Public Enemy would at least have enough money to start with. Good to know, Public Enemy, also one of the first acts to release music on mp3, not that they did charge a couple of thousand dollar for that…
Sellaband is an Amsterdam-based company allowing artists to request support from fans aka “believers” to invest anything from 10$ up in an album.
So what do you get once you invested your hard earned money in the pocket of Public Enemy? Well, once the funding target is reached the album is made and the proceeds are split between the artist and the believers, no news though how much your investment wil be worth though. Various incentives like downloads and concert tickets can also be offered to the “believers”.
