POWER TO THE PEOPLE.
SELLABAND - THE FUTURE OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?

August 1st 2006 could just be a red letter day for the struggling music industry, as a new website is launched that aims to put musicians and creativity first. As producer Adam Midgley of First Man Productions says, 'Sellaband is a major label's nightmare. An intelligent, forward thinking idea that has the potential to empower the independent artist like nothing before. Sellaband is the next step in the myspace generation's guerilla assault on the industry'.

How it actually works is very simple.

Musicians and bands upload their music and profiles (just like on myspace), but this time with the goal of raising $50,000 from fans or 'believers' - that's 5,000 believers at $10 each. When the magic figure of $50,000 is reached, Sellaband provide the artists with an experienced A&R person to help them spend their money wisely in the studio to record a 5 or 6 track limited edition mini album, using the finest producers and facilities. Each believer receives a limited edition mini album and is also entitled to a share of the online advertising revenues. The artist is free to do with the recorded music whatever he likes as Sellaband isn't a record company, just a facilitator to help musicians record and get noticed.

Of course, the record companies are taking a keen interest in all of this, and will undoubtedly look at snapping up artists who are attracting believers, so proving that there is a credible fan base for initial sales. According to Sellaband's UK representative Adam Sieff, the interest in the site is 'overwhelming - there are so many musicians who see that this is just what they need to create their music in the way they want and further their careers while retaining complete control'.

Some of the producers and studios already committed to the project include Tony Platt (Soweto Kinch, Bob Marley & Clare Teal) who says 'This revalues music and the process of creativity. I believe SellaBand is the future.' While Nathan Hale, Studio Director for The Premises Studios says: ´Sellaband is a creative business platform like no other, it places the music industry back in the hands of the artist and their fans to invest in the future of a sound, creative industry´.

The website is up and running for musicians and bands to register and will go totally live on August 15th. For full details go to www.sellaband.com

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