Divine Dough

Because money from both major and indie labels is drying up, bands have had to get creative to raise funds. Eve Selis offered six “levels of participation” to help fund the recording of her new album Angels and Eagles. With a $15 donation (the “Cherub” level), patrons received a prerelease copy of the album; $2000 donations from “Archangels” earned them ten CDs, eight tickets to a “VIP Party,” eight T-shirts, and tickets to the May 31 release concert.

Archangels were also invited to record a vocal part for the album. According to Selis, 54 donors helped contribute to the album’s recording, with three Archangels among them. In total, over $10,000 was sent in by fans.

“Donations took about a month to trickle in,” says Selis. “They seemed to show up at just the right time, when we needed to pay a guest musician or the studio bill.” Selis and her band head to Norway July 5 to begin a three-week tour of Europe.

“In the past we would borrow money from fans and then take the next two years paying everyone off,” says Selis. “Then when it was time to record a new CD, we’d start all over. With donations, that allows us to use money from sales to help promote, tour, and try to get radio airplay.”

Selis says she will likely use this method of funding for any future releases. Having allowed non-bandmembers to contribute backing vocals, would she be open to having someone play guitar in exchange for a donation?

“Heck, we would have considered anything as long as it was legal.”

– Bart Mendoza