The nature of crowd-sourcing funds for creative projects has become a sweeping trend in recent years. Access to the Internet and the ability to reach thousands of potential project investors is certainly an appealing outlet for an enthusiastic yet penniless artist looking to share their creative talent with the world.
The nature of crowd-sourcing seemingly appeals to up-and-coming creatives looking to make a name for themselves. Surely established artists wouldn’t need extra help to fund a creative venture, right?
Think again. Perth rockers Eskimo Joe have announced their hopes to fund the band’s next album through Australia’s leading creative platform, Pozible. The pending studio album will mark the trio’s sixth studio album and second independent release following on from 2011’s Ghosts Of The Past, which was the first to be produced under the band’s own label.
It certainly comes as a surprise that the ARIA-award winning and multi-platinum selling artists would choose to embrace the growing movement of crowd-funding given their successful career so far. It is said to be the biggest fan based contribution campaign on Pozible for an Australian music artist of their stature.“Involving all of our supporters like this brings a real responsibility to us.”
The campaign apparently grew out of Eskimo Joe’s need for a ‘new approach’ and to create a recording experience that would allow them an environment to capture the organic recording process that they long for.
“This is our 6th studio album, but it really feels like a whole new experience,” the trio stated in a press release. “We feel like this is a record where we can really do whatever we want, we’ve thrown all creative pressures and expectations out the window and we’re just enjoying playing music.”
Fans and supporters now have 79 days to contribute to the project that aims to raise $40,000 by February next year, with over $20,000 already raised (at the time of writing) in funds towards the recording and production of the yet-to-be-titled record.
“Involving all of our supporters like this brings a real responsibility to us to make a fucking awesome record and to also make them feel a real part of it. This feels like a new creative beginning for us,” Eskimo Joe said.
Not only a way to raise a healthy amount of cash, Eskimo Joe also intend to use the platform as a method for fan-engagement and will offer a range of incentives to encourage followers to get proactive.“We feel like this is a record where we can really do whatever we want.”
Incentives will come in the form of various packages that comprise physical rewards such as advanced copies of the album and custom-made guitars, as well as experiential activities.
A summer BBQ with the band is a choice example that will set you back $6,000, or if that doesn’t take your fancy, you might enjoy a live acoustic album preview performance from the band in their Perth recording studio for $850. The more modest of fans can pledge $25 to enjoy a CD album, whilst a gold coin donation will get you a preview of the album’s lead single.
The band’s newfound grassroots approach is certainly intriguing, it’s an innovative move for a multi-platinum selling act and is decidedly the first major project of its kind from a mainstream Australian music act.
With over half their projected target raised, and increasing by the minute, it looks as though this is a risk for Eskimo Joe that will quite literally pay off…
Curious? Check out the band’s Pozible page here.
