Would YOU name YOUR price for my music? How much?
UPDATE:
This article has become outdated. The links no longer work and, as it's 4 years on, while I am still indie and I still value your input, some facts have changed and I wouldn't ask the same questions today.
If you're still intrigued as to what I had to say back in 2013, please read on if you wish. You can sign up to my mailing list to hear what's new in my world and to get in touch here: Danelle Harvey Website.
Thank you for visiting!
Danelle x
I have just read a great article about artists letting their fans put a price on their music: http://bit.ly/6IchfE After Radiohead did this with their previous album and the furore that followed by independent artists and haters, I remember thinking, “Good for them” but at the time, I really didn’t see how the Radiohead approach could apply to me. Months later, I’m doing some online research, and I clicked the above link to find an interesting debate on this very topic. As an independent artist and Brit, it can be seen crass to discuss money, earnings and income openly, but this isn't the same, I am attempting to discuss directly with the consumer. Call it market research, as it is somewhat.
I am up for trying new things, above all I’m a musician who is also a business woman; an artist who has to make a living just like you. My enterprising mind and nature has me excited by this topic. Of course I love to make music, I would love to be able to just make it for music’s sake (which I do when I can), I am lucky to be able to do this for a living but, I do have to sell units in order to eat, so this article opens up a Narnian world for me and I’m pondering what to do and how to do it. Obviously my album Tortured Soul is out now, available on iTunes, Amazon, HMV, etc – In fact from ALL major sites including limited edition CD direct from my site, and I have my advertising, promotional opportunities and live shows from which I can let people know this, but there is just lil' me and I am a solo artist, my advertising budget and exposure levels aren't that high. As this isn’t a hobby, I have to step it up and find innovative ways to sell my music. I have to say it and be straight with you as i'm unsure if you know it but, yes, I funded this album and my label alone - its nice to be appreciated for my work. I am constantly touched and I love it when you write and let me know how my music has affected your life. As an artist, there is no bigger compliment. So as an Indie artist alone with no grand exposure machines behind me, no expensive PR budget, and only nouse, smarts and guerilla, DIY skills meshed with strong industry knowledge I am on a mission... To be blunt, I know that my stuff is really good. If that sounds big headed its not meant to be. I just believe in my work. I write songs, sing and am an expert in my field. I am consulted for my professional opinion and this is my craft. That's all it means. If I don't believe in my work, then why should you? Now, I know that I have achieved a great deal with no budget. (Yep, you heard, that album was produced on no budget! That is true genius and talent at work haha!) Anyway though, seriously, whatever you may think about music, I hope that you agree that an artist's work should be paid for if its of any value to you, and this is it, this is my living. The hustle and bustle of indie music and show biz. If you value something then why not show it.
You may or may not know that I am a pioneer of Fair Trade music and I brought the term into Western creative jobs infrastructure. Some of the ways in which Fair Trade music works is that I give back through proceeds to selected Fair Trade causes, an example through projects includes the donation of the proceeds of my album Home through a partner project with Traidcraft and Ethical Superstore directly to sugar cane producers in Malawi. This achieved the enabling of crop producers to obtain the most basic of things including, education, healthcare and good sanitation (water etc) for their families, another example of true independence through products and profits being generated and paid to the producer DIRECT. Other ways: I as an artist raise awareness of Fair Trade through talks and Fairtrade projects and events, examples of which include live music and fashion shows collated and sponsored through my label, Tygahoney Music with partner organisations including, Progreso, Clipper, Tropical Wholefoods, Ascension, Divine, POV, Tearfund and so on. I also ensure that all parties (musicians, engineers etc) who work in my projects get their fair dues. I’ve been doing the same re fair wages and payment on all live shows and recordings. For me it is about transparent operations and no slimy business. I got sick of the “grabby”, “corrupt” aspect of the music industry years ago and part of the reason I set up my own label was because I actually like having integrity, I like to live in a world where we are conscious of the consequence of our actions, I believe in Karma and want to give something back in all I do, and oh yes, receiving fair compensation for your hard work as opposed to minute percentages. Support your fave artists direct, its part of the revolution baby! So thats a little about what drives me, so you can get where I'm coming from as an Indie with a difference.
Anyhoo, back to the reason of this blog. Here are the million dollar questions:
A) What do YOU think about naming your price on my music?
and
B) How much would you be willing to pay directly to me, an independent artist with my own record label for:
1. A signed 12 track album or download
2. A signed 5 track EP or download
3. Individual Tracks (Download)
4. A signed picture of me A5
Selling my downloads and merch directly to you is a preferable solution for me as you show your appreciation directly, know where your money is going and there would be no middleman sucking up the majority as has been the case with labels in the past. Another great thing about the independent and Fairtrade principals is that this way, things would truly continue on the grass roots tip that makes my heart sing. Its all about people power and YOU voting with your purchases. It feels fab everytime I make a sale as all my hard work is being rewarded personally, and I would be happy to sell directly to you, it would be and is always a pleasure. I use secure shopping carts from PAYPAL on my site by the way so your purchase method will be safe if this works for you. If you let me know if this is a goer for you and if so, what you’ll pay (silently) then I will then set up a relevant cart for you or directly get in touch. Once all sorted, I will send you the download/CD your choice. (Please note P&P will be added on relevant to the amount of CD's and you'll know amounts beforehand)
So I’ll leave it up to you. Direct message me please info@danelle.co.uk and let me know how much you would pay for any of the above. If you want to know more about me, there is quite a lot (be warned) but just ask, and I’ll get back to you. I always converse, respond to and stay in touch with fan/friends. Its courtesy and I enjoy it, truly. FYI, my most recent Press Kit (PDF Format) with an overview and biog is available from my official website: danelleharvey.co.uk
I would love to hear from you, do get in touch. I am looking forward to it all.
Thanks for reading, speak soon.
All love
Danelle xxx
This article has become outdated. The links no longer work and, as it's 4 years on, while I am still indie and I still value your input, some facts have changed and I wouldn't ask the same questions today.
If you're still intrigued as to what I had to say back in 2013, please read on if you wish. You can sign up to my mailing list to hear what's new in my world and to get in touch here: Danelle Harvey Website.
Thank you for visiting!
Danelle x
I have just read a great article about artists letting their fans put a price on their music: http://bit.ly/6IchfE After Radiohead did this with their previous album and the furore that followed by independent artists and haters, I remember thinking, “Good for them” but at the time, I really didn’t see how the Radiohead approach could apply to me. Months later, I’m doing some online research, and I clicked the above link to find an interesting debate on this very topic. As an independent artist and Brit, it can be seen crass to discuss money, earnings and income openly, but this isn't the same, I am attempting to discuss directly with the consumer. Call it market research, as it is somewhat.
I am up for trying new things, above all I’m a musician who is also a business woman; an artist who has to make a living just like you. My enterprising mind and nature has me excited by this topic. Of course I love to make music, I would love to be able to just make it for music’s sake (which I do when I can), I am lucky to be able to do this for a living but, I do have to sell units in order to eat, so this article opens up a Narnian world for me and I’m pondering what to do and how to do it. Obviously my album Tortured Soul is out now, available on iTunes, Amazon, HMV, etc – In fact from ALL major sites including limited edition CD direct from my site, and I have my advertising, promotional opportunities and live shows from which I can let people know this, but there is just lil' me and I am a solo artist, my advertising budget and exposure levels aren't that high. As this isn’t a hobby, I have to step it up and find innovative ways to sell my music. I have to say it and be straight with you as i'm unsure if you know it but, yes, I funded this album and my label alone - its nice to be appreciated for my work. I am constantly touched and I love it when you write and let me know how my music has affected your life. As an artist, there is no bigger compliment. So as an Indie artist alone with no grand exposure machines behind me, no expensive PR budget, and only nouse, smarts and guerilla, DIY skills meshed with strong industry knowledge I am on a mission... To be blunt, I know that my stuff is really good. If that sounds big headed its not meant to be. I just believe in my work. I write songs, sing and am an expert in my field. I am consulted for my professional opinion and this is my craft. That's all it means. If I don't believe in my work, then why should you? Now, I know that I have achieved a great deal with no budget. (Yep, you heard, that album was produced on no budget! That is true genius and talent at work haha!) Anyway though, seriously, whatever you may think about music, I hope that you agree that an artist's work should be paid for if its of any value to you, and this is it, this is my living. The hustle and bustle of indie music and show biz. If you value something then why not show it.
You may or may not know that I am a pioneer of Fair Trade music and I brought the term into Western creative jobs infrastructure. Some of the ways in which Fair Trade music works is that I give back through proceeds to selected Fair Trade causes, an example through projects includes the donation of the proceeds of my album Home through a partner project with Traidcraft and Ethical Superstore directly to sugar cane producers in Malawi. This achieved the enabling of crop producers to obtain the most basic of things including, education, healthcare and good sanitation (water etc) for their families, another example of true independence through products and profits being generated and paid to the producer DIRECT. Other ways: I as an artist raise awareness of Fair Trade through talks and Fairtrade projects and events, examples of which include live music and fashion shows collated and sponsored through my label, Tygahoney Music with partner organisations including, Progreso, Clipper, Tropical Wholefoods, Ascension, Divine, POV, Tearfund and so on. I also ensure that all parties (musicians, engineers etc) who work in my projects get their fair dues. I’ve been doing the same re fair wages and payment on all live shows and recordings. For me it is about transparent operations and no slimy business. I got sick of the “grabby”, “corrupt” aspect of the music industry years ago and part of the reason I set up my own label was because I actually like having integrity, I like to live in a world where we are conscious of the consequence of our actions, I believe in Karma and want to give something back in all I do, and oh yes, receiving fair compensation for your hard work as opposed to minute percentages. Support your fave artists direct, its part of the revolution baby! So thats a little about what drives me, so you can get where I'm coming from as an Indie with a difference.
Anyhoo, back to the reason of this blog. Here are the million dollar questions:
A) What do YOU think about naming your price on my music?
and
B) How much would you be willing to pay directly to me, an independent artist with my own record label for:
1. A signed 12 track album or download
2. A signed 5 track EP or download
3. Individual Tracks (Download)
4. A signed picture of me A5
Selling my downloads and merch directly to you is a preferable solution for me as you show your appreciation directly, know where your money is going and there would be no middleman sucking up the majority as has been the case with labels in the past. Another great thing about the independent and Fairtrade principals is that this way, things would truly continue on the grass roots tip that makes my heart sing. Its all about people power and YOU voting with your purchases. It feels fab everytime I make a sale as all my hard work is being rewarded personally, and I would be happy to sell directly to you, it would be and is always a pleasure. I use secure shopping carts from PAYPAL on my site by the way so your purchase method will be safe if this works for you. If you let me know if this is a goer for you and if so, what you’ll pay (silently) then I will then set up a relevant cart for you or directly get in touch. Once all sorted, I will send you the download/CD your choice. (Please note P&P will be added on relevant to the amount of CD's and you'll know amounts beforehand)
So I’ll leave it up to you. Direct message me please info@danelle.co.uk and let me know how much you would pay for any of the above. If you want to know more about me, there is quite a lot (be warned) but just ask, and I’ll get back to you. I always converse, respond to and stay in touch with fan/friends. Its courtesy and I enjoy it, truly. FYI, my most recent Press Kit (PDF Format) with an overview and biog is available from my official website: danelleharvey.co.uk
I would love to hear from you, do get in touch. I am looking forward to it all.
Thanks for reading, speak soon.
All love
Danelle xxx
The maximum going rate and more! You deserve it; artists should be paid on their dedication to their music and life. You are a great example of living and singing who you really are. Bless!
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