Hi everyone! We're Telling on Trixie, an independent NYC rock band, that has been blessed with a great first year.
In the past twelve months, we released our debut album and two videos , which, when added to our touring, have allowed us to entertain a great number of people. See our bio for the details of what's gone down, and click here to hear all the music you want, plus get some free downloads from the first album.
So what now?
Well, the 'Plan' is to make a killer second album in the next twelve months, supported by a video, promotion and touring. This is a huge undertaking for an independent band, which is why most bands don't make it past the first album. It's something we can't make happen on our own, so we needed to get creative. Here's the idea, as we explained it to Stevie Nicks:
Album #2 will be totally fan-funded. That's right, fan funded. Before you run screaming, please keep reading, because it's going to be really fun.
In our Plan, we aim to raise $50,000. (yes, you heard that right). It will actually cost a little more to make the album and video (and make sure they get heard and seen), but we factored in what we can contribute. Fifty is a nice even, number, anyway. Our short term goal will be to raise $20,000 by end of September, to record. The rest we can raise over the next year to make the video and promote the album.
So, this is where you come in. We are asking you to donate whatever you can. And believe us when we say, we know it's a lot to ask. You have been so good to us already. We know we can get to $50k even with small donations from many people. Anything helps.
So, in exchange for helping to make the Plan work, you will have the opportunity to literally be smack dab in the middle of the indie band experience. Here's what we mean: once you donate, you will find you have access to participate in important decisions about the album or video. Like, what picture we should use on the album cover, or what the song order should be, or...you may even find yourself in the next music video. Also, we're posting never released remixes, acoustic and demo versions of our old and new songs, just for members. These versions won't ever be released...they are just between you and us - in the MUSIC ROOM.
But best of all, you will be an integral part of an independent band's rise to fame. Imagine the day when Telling on Trixie is accepting our first Grammy - you will have been a huge part in what got us there! (Alright, alright we're getting ahead of ourselves, but you get the point.)
So, here's how the Plan works:
Based on your donation, you will become a certain kind of member. For instance, if you give $10, that makes you a "Trixie member". When you're a Trixie member, you get free digital downloads. For $25 you will be a "Green Room member" and get the free digital downloads AND a signed advance copy of the new CD. Additionally, Green Room members (and all members at higher levels than this) will give us opinions from start to finish through forums and polls . EP or LP? Should our album title be "Stick it to 'em, Johnny" or "Who the Hell is Trixie"? On the cover, should we use a photo of Derek's face or a hippie dress pattern with day-glo lettering? Which reality star should be in our video this time around? Who's your daddy? Now, the levels stretch all the way up to $10,000 Iconic Living Legend level- at which point you'll play on our album, have us write a song about you or a friend that appears on the record, you'll star in our video and see our shows for free, among other things. Look at the About You page to see who is participating, and where they are from!
Use the prizes for yourself, or give them to someone else as a GIFT.
Your involvement motivates us to make our best music and to go to any length to ensure it gets heard. It becomes OUR album. And we'll document the entire process here on this site.
We love the pressure and excitement of making an album and video for our fans, with our fans. We promise to do our part. Already, we've got Grammy-winning, Platinum-selling producers, engineers and mixers ready to work with us, along with surprise guest artists. Furthermore, we promise to argue with each other until our faces are blue (we swear this makes good art). We promise to sneak into parties to meet the right people and lick a thousand envelopes on thank-you notes to DJ’s who play our songs. There has also been mention of pimpin’ out certain bandmembers for donations, but apparently, that's prostitution…and frankly, we're too pretty for prison.
Mostly, it's going to be interesting to see how this all comes together. And if the face of the music business really is changing, a band like Telling on Trixie should be able to succeed with a solid Plan like this.
So, if you want to join us for our journey for the next twelve months, go to the Participate! page to choose your level. By each level, you'll find a description of the goodies and fun that comes with your donation.
We know there are a bunch of questions. First, check out our FAQ page. If you don't find your answer, go to the Contact page.
All participants agree they have read the Program Rules, the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy.
Thank you all so much for taking a part in this Plan - this experiment - this process with us. It means you believe in us and what we're doing, which makes us feel all fuzzy inside.
