What is Kickstarter?—Artists Get Funds From Fans

A new term in the music industry these days is "crowdfunding," or the call by singers, songwriters and producers directly to their friends and fans for the funding necessary to complete a specific project.

The Crowdfunding phenomenon is epitomized by the popular website Kickstarter.com which offers an easy to use online system to create and execute your funding plan.

While Kickstarter's business model has helped raise funds for projects of all types, already thousands of musicians have completed their albums through the support of their fandom, their "crowd."

FROM Kickstarter.com:

Kickstarter is the largest funding platform for creative projects in the world. Every month, tens of thousands of amazing people pledge millions of dollars to projects from the worlds of music, film, art, technology, design, food, publishing and other creative fields.

A new form of commerce and patronage. This is not about investment or lending.

Project creators keep 100% ownership and control over their work. Instead, they offer products and experiences that are unique to each project.

All or nothing funding. On Kickstarter, a project must reach its funding goal before time runs out or no money changes hands. Why? It protects everyone involved. Creators aren’t expected to develop their project without necessary funds, and it allows anyone to test concepts without risk.

Each and every project is the independent creation of someone like you. Projects are big and small, serious and whimsical, traditional and experimental. They’re inspiring, entertaining and diverse.

FROM austin360.com:

Brian Zisk, founder of the San Francisco MusicTech Summit and co-founder and technologies director for the Washington, D.C.-based Future of Music Coalition, a nonprofit organization that advocates for musicians, argues that financial engagement with fans — be it through Kickstarter or another service — is now a part of the industry's landscape.

"The question isn't whether this will be a huge model in the future. It will be," said Zisk. "The question is if Kickstarter's going to run away with it or someone else might pop in and steal their thunder."

Check out some of our friends finding success with Kickstarter:

Tony Scalzo's First Solo Record

I have recorded more than a few albums with my band, Fastball, and I've even done a few e.p.s on my own. I believe now is the time to put a full-length album of my own music together. I've actually been trying to plan it for some time but I keep running into the inevitable problem of funding. I have recently been made aware of Kickstarter's successful track record and have decided it is the best way to make this record happen.

With the help of the Kickstarter program this album can be made using funds raised directly from fans. In fact, there will be reward packages for all levels of funding, from pre-release digital versions of the record to private living room concerts for the most generous pledges. —Tony Scalzo

Folk-Pop Artist Katey Laurel's New Record

I am currently finishing up my next recording, an 8-track (haha, just kidding)...but it WILL be an album with 8 tracks of original music by yours truly, produced by the fantastic Neilson Hubbard in Nashville, TN. The lovely Katie Herzig and wonderful Matthew Perryman Jones make guest appearances on the songs as well (you may have heard either of them on Grey's Anatomy and other prime-time TV shows).

Neilson Hubbard is a very talented, sought-after producer in Nashville for folk and pop-rock artists, and his work is consistently honored with film and TV placements in Hollywood. He has produced Kate York, Garrison Starr, Glenn Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket, Amy Speace and Matthew Perryman Jones to name a few. I'm so excited to be included in this group of talented artists! —Katey Laurel

Further Reading: Why Kickstarter Works