Bands can no longer rely on major record labels to fund their recording in hopes that it will sell. Many bands can’t afford to self-fund the recording and distribution of a new album. So one L.A. rock band has decided to take a new approach to bringing an album to market. They are inviting rock-and-roll fans to provide input and feedback while the band is writing the music and, ultimately, to select which songs will make it to the album. Rock and roll enthusiasts who want to apply can do so at www.newrockband.homestead.com.
“It’s almost like customizing our music for our fans,” explains the lead guitarist. “And I’d rather know before we publish the songs which ones the fans like….and which ones they don’t.”
The band is inviting rock and roll fans to submit an application to be a part of this collaboration between musicians and fans. They are looking for a mix of geographic representation, age and gender. But when it comes to music preference, they have a much narrower audience in mind.
“We’re looking for hard core rock addicts who love bands like Motley Crue, Poison, LA Guns, Velvet Revolver, White Snake, Stone Temple Pilots, Dangerous Toys, Ratt, GnR. You get the picture,’ offered up the drummer. “That’s the kind of sound we love to play.”
“And we don’t want fans to be influenced by or have any preconceived ideas about what our music should sound like based on what we’ve done before,” said the vocalist. “Our goal with this project is to create an album reminiscent of the great, gritty rock music of the early 80s. And if fans don’t think of us that way, then they’ll have a hard time accepting that sound from us. This way they’ll really be focused on the music.”
When asked if he had anything to add, the bass player thought for a moment and in the stereotypical, laid-back style of a bassist said, “Nope. I think they pretty much said it all.”
To apply to participate in the album collaboration, visit www.newrockband.homestead.com.
