Fair enough question, and the short answer is no, it is not a scam.
My wife (Mandyleigh Storm) became one of the artists on there in November 2006. We did alot of research and reading the terms etc before she signed up. Ultimately it's no risk as an artist to sign up.... the worst that can happen is alot of people get to hear your music.
As an investor on there, also no risk.... any money you decide to invest in an artist is yours to take back out at any time you want before the $50k target is reached. Once the $50k is reached your money is locked into the production of an album. The budget is $35k for recording the album (costs of producer/studio/musicians/mixing/travel/accomodation) and $15k for the mastering/printing/duplication/delivery etc. believe me when I say that $35k for recording a top international album is not enough... especially with the USD being so weak. Mandyleigh is recording in London right now with Mick Glossop (producer.... Van Morrison, Frank Zappa, The Waterboys, PIL etc etc) and professional people and studio's (Dean St Studio's... Bowie etc) cost money. Sure you can make an album in your bedroom or local studio for $5k - $10k but it won't have the same quality or effect as a pro album... and that is what Sellaband is about... hooking up artists and music lovers and making pro albums. This really IS the new music model imho. btw the artists have complete creative freedom and choice as to who they work with and what their songs sound like. How many other record lables give artists anywhere near that much control??
Artists/investors/Sellaband split any profits from the album EQUALLY. Can't get any fairer than that. Investors also get a limited edition cd for every part they buy in an artist... so if you bought 10 parts (at $10 each), you get 10 LE cd's to keep or sell online or in stores. Your choice.
Sellaband have made deals to distribute the cd's online and in stores all over the world. People can download free mp3's Sellaband (drm-free, 256kbps), and have direct contact with artists. Mandyleigh loves hanging out with the people who helped get her to the recording stage. They are her friends.
Overall Sellaband is a fantastic idea. They just have to get their marketing sorted out so the message gets out there.
and if you're interested, Mandyleigh has been blogging about her stay in London while doing the album... http://www.mandyleigh.com/blog/
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Sellaband is cheaper for buying the whole mp3 album.... $3.50 for Mandyleigh Storm for instance... 10 fantastic songs.
Fair enough question, and the short answer is no, it is not a scam.
My wife (Mandyleigh Storm) became one of the artists on there in November 2006. We did alot of research and reading the terms etc before she signed up. Ultimately it's no risk as an artist to sign up.... the worst that can happen is alot of people get to hear your music.
As an investor on there, also no risk.... any money you decide to invest in an artist is yours to take back out at any time you want before the $50k target is reached. Once the $50k is reached your money is locked into the production of an album. The budget is $35k for recording the album (costs of producer/studio/musicians/mixing/travel/accomodation) and $15k for the mastering/printing/duplication/delivery etc. believe me when I say that $35k for recording a top international album is not enough... especially with the USD being so weak. Mandyleigh is recording in London right now with Mick Glossop (producer.... Van Morrison, Frank Zappa, The Waterboys, PIL etc etc) and professional people and studio's (Dean St Studio's... Bowie etc) cost money. Sure you can make an album in your bedroom or local studio for $5k - $10k but it won't have the same quality or effect as a pro album... and that is what Sellaband is about... hooking up artists and music lovers and making pro albums. This really IS the new music model imho. btw the artists have complete creative freedom and choice as to who they work with and what their songs sound like. How many other record lables give artists anywhere near that much control??
Artists/investors/Sellaband split any profits from the album EQUALLY. Can't get any fairer than that. Investors also get a limited edition cd for every part they buy in an artist... so if you bought 10 parts (at $10 each), you get 10 LE cd's to keep or sell online or in stores. Your choice.
Sellaband have made deals to distribute the cd's online and in stores all over the world. People can download free mp3's Sellaband (drm-free, 256kbps), and have direct contact with artists. Mandyleigh loves hanging out with the people who helped get her to the recording stage. They are her friends.
Overall Sellaband is a fantastic idea. They just have to get their marketing sorted out so the message gets out there.
and if you're interested, Mandyleigh has been blogging about her stay in London while doing the album... http://www.mandyleigh.com/blog/