In conjunction with US. independent music trade group A2IM (American Association Of Independent Music), we're asking
indie professionals: In this fractured media landscape, what is
working? What outlets and tools are helping your artists build an
audience?
In this 5th installment, Frank Woodworth of indie label Eleven Seven Music (Motley Crew, Buckcherry, Drowning Pool, Six:AM) shares what is working for their roster:
"This year our biggest successes were built around partnerships with other companies. As an indie label our budgets are limited, but our artist’s content is very attractive to outside companies who are looking for a way to distinguish themselves from their competitors.
This fall we partnered with Guitar Center to find a new band to open up for Motley Crue’s winter tour and receive a record deal with Eleven Seven Music. The winner was a great band...
named The Last Vegas, who now has a tour and advertising campaign around their first album in out in spring 09. This would never have been possible for a baby band without the partnership of Guitar Center who is using their considerable marketing muscle to help break a new band and support independent musicians.
On a different scale we partnered with Gibson to help disseminate the first singles for our new bands, Charm City Devils (Lets Rock N roll) and the Last Vegas (I'm Bad). As part of their campaign to launch the Dark Fire Guitar, Gibson created an e-card where you can upload your own photo onto a shredding guitar player and play along to different bands' songs.
You can see it here along with several other bands from indie labels involved in the campaign @ http://darkfireecard.gibson.com/.
These campaigns expose our new bands more than we ever could on our own and with our partner's help we are able to cut through the clutter of this fractured media landscape.
More "What Is Working ?"
- Indie artist Allison Sharp
- Portia Sabin of Kill Rock Stars
- bluhammock's Jaylaan Shares
- Minty Fresh's Powers Answers
And tell us, what is working for you?
