(UPDATED) Pick the Band, a new online-only record label has launched what they believe to be an alternative to the traditional label business model that lets fans have a say in how the artists that they like are promoted and marketed.
Fans pick the single, design the artwork and make the videos for the artists to compete in online competitions conducted via picktheband.com, which utilize online auditioning and voting, showcases at top festivals and social media promotion. Fans who participate have chances to win perks and prizes such as trips to major music festivals (i.e. CMJ, Osheaga, SXSW, ASCAP I Create Music Expo), access to artists in studio, backstage passes, and more.
When Roie (Pick the Band Founder Roie Avin) explained to me what he was doing with Pick The Band, and after I heard some of the early entries, I knew this was a source that I needed to pay close attention to," said Steve Robertson, VP of A&R at Atlantic Records.
Sennheiser sponsored Pick The Band's latest round of contests, in which fans voted on 20 finalists with the winning band winning a performance slot at a festival. Previous ontest winners have performed at Osheaga Music Festival in Montreal, CMJ Music Marathon in October in NYC, on a national Mexico broadcast of Sesiones TV live from Mexico City. Winning artists also are eligible for an additional chance to win the grand prize – $10,000 in gear, a 3-song recording with a major producer through Pick The Band Records, distribution through Universal Republic and an A&R showcase in NYC. Voting for the finals runs form April 12th – April 25th, 2011.
via CelebrityAccess
