Electronic Music 411 - sponsorship in the usa

04/17/08 + astroboy

hey folks,

i have an american band on my label.
they recently got offers by two big promotion agencies (forcefield, fanatic), which is an awesome opportunity to make this band big in the usa.

the downside is: these promo agencies are e-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e!

the people in the band can't afford to pay for the service, and the label (me) is rather skint too.

here in austria (and also in other european countries) there are several ways to get sponsored by the government.
like, you can ask the provincial government of your hometown if they financially support an album production or promotional activities (printing posters etc.).

is there anything like this in the USA?
any way that these poor musicians get some bucks for their carreer?
we're talking about a total of $1500-$5000 btw.

thanks.

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edited: May 12 2008 + nagrom

This is part of why I moved to Quebec.
EDIT: no point in saying this rudeness.

Recent blogs: Interview: Mark N./Bloody Fist Records, Je Suis en Montreal, Electronic Music Search Engine

05/12/08 + astroboy

yeah, please send an email to the band and tell them to move their asses.
they're always like "hey we all have 3 jobs each, but we're still starving!"

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05/12/08 + cartesia

if theyre going to make it big, wouldnt it be a good investment for your label to get a loan to pay for it?

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05/12/08 + j_chot

powerade dropped me when they learned that I was not in fact, moby.

I think it was my excess of hair.

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05/12/08 + deltasleep

We pay for sports only because the public is willing to pay to see it. The IDEA is that a city invests in sports and those sports teams provide jobs, and generate revenue. Thats very often not the case.
But the art world is now so very distant from the rest of the US that it is entirely irrelevant to the American experience. Modern art requires a class to "interpret" properly. I love it, but I studied at a university. The shape that modern public education has been molded by the standardized testing and accountability movements prevents almost any art from feeling relevant. So thats why no one in America thinks its even as entertaining or worthwhile as chasing a ball around. IMHO IRL YMMV.

Recent blogs: Old Computer Help, I'm HEEEEERE, Roadtrip!

05/13/08 + PYVND

deltasleep said: "PYVND's vision of what america will be like under a new president.
link
"

Man, fuck you.

05/13/08 + deltasleep

easy man.

Recent blogs: Old Computer Help, I'm HEEEEERE, Roadtrip!

edited: May 13 2008 + Fant00m

Yes i understand that the us has a lack of history in arts and public opinion is not positive about spending money on farfetched quasi intelectual art but in holland thats almost the same. I invite a turkish oud player and i can get funds from local government (hence the fact it is multiculteral), if i wanna do a breakcore party it will be more difficult.

But the American way of doing things is depending on sponsors instead of the european charity donotions and govenment support. I think a breakeven agreement would be a fitting solution in this case. Get a company to sponsor the tour. And promise them a breakeven deal (if u make enough) That is possible if the promo agency;s are well known and respected. Just find a good brand that would like to have their logo on the flyer.

Recent blogs: cut-up.radio, Octinct, c64 orchestra

05/13/08 + nagrom

Just find a good brand that would like to have their logo on the flyer.

Good point. You see this a lot in the states.

Recent blogs: Interview: Mark N./Bloody Fist Records, Je Suis en Montreal, Electronic Music Search Engine

05/13/08 + deltasleep

It's not unfortunate to me that there's a lack of federal funding for art in the US. What's really sad is that there is a lack of federal OR private funding for the arts.

Recent blogs: Old Computer Help, I'm HEEEEERE, Roadtrip!

05/13/08 + elronhubbard

it seems us southerners are more at peace with our government than the northern USers around here.

i dont know if its a "peace" so to speak, but an understanding that it's always been fucked up and bitching doesn't help anything. but you can still be your own person and say what you want to say without government aid.

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edited: May 13 2008 + Fant00m

@ delta sleep i would not know about that. All i know is that when i visit a concert in the US there are always brands presenting themsleves on the flyer. Its a way of making an identity for a brand. Even museums. I mean the the Walton foyer? the Warren Edward Buffet wing?

So even local shops might wanna sponsor you with a breakeven deal. Banks and corporations often also have money for cultural events. It makes them look good etc.

So If you dont shoot you will certainly miss (I love to use dutch sayings and translate them

)

@ Elron Hubbard: ha, yes and an iraqi can say whatever they want too...the definition of a free country is not defined by freedom of speech.

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05/13/08 + elronhubbard

??? ok. I dont really understand what you're trying to imply fant00m.

Recent blogs: stalking aaron funk, Hubbard's Continental Burger, ok so i just bought a mac

05/13/08 + Fant00m

sorry not trying to offend you in anyway...it was merely a comment on the last sentence. you state that your government is fucked up but it doesnt matter because atleast you can say it fucked up?

Recent blogs: cut-up.radio, Octinct, c64 orchestra

05/13/08 + elronhubbard

no no you didnt offend me. you merely confused me. lol.

Recent blogs: stalking aaron funk, Hubbard's Continental Burger, ok so i just bought a mac