Of course, it couldn’t work for any band, but this Kickstarter thing sure worked for Amanda Palmer, who raised $360,000 in 48 hours, a record for the website!
She was asking her fans to fund her new album, an art book and a tour, and she got loaded; her original goal was $100,000, but this went way over the expectation, and the goal was already reached in only 7 hours.
There was a very detailed break-down of the different payment options: You could contribute for just $1 (which gives you a download of the new CD), for $25, $50, $100, $125, $250, $300,… with various options, art book, vinyl, or even attendance to some art openings or parties, an house party with Palmer for $5,000 or more, an ‘art-sitting and dinner’ with Amanda Palmer painting you over the course of an afternoon/evening for $10,000 an more, among other crazy propositions…. Is it the future of music as she is pretending? Do artists have to go through all these shenanigans to get money?
I mean good for her if she likes to invade people’s house and play an intimate party or paint someone’s face, but what about the ‘shy’ artist who do not have such initiative?
Palmer also launched her own The LoanSpark Collective, which allows fans to loan her money, and this is how she is explaining it:
‘with LOANSPARK, i'm not asking for donations; i'm asking for people to step forward as high-level patrons and help out with interest-free loans that will be fully paid back after the album is cranked out and earning money. in exchange for your high-rolling loan, i will make some very special art and/or do a performance to support a charity you're passionate about. it's a slightly mad idea, but if it works, we may be onto a new form of patronage that could work for other artists…so i'm very happy to take a crack at it.’
Sure, who doesn’t want interest-free loan? If you are a rich fan, ready to loan her money, this is what you can get:
‘LEVEL ONE: $25,000
I will perform a concert for you: in your home, at a party you're hosting, or an event you create for the occasion. OR, better yet, you can donate me as a performer to the charity of your choice (within reason, I won't play ukulele for the KKK or the NRA…or if I do, prepare for an anarchic subversion). This can happen anywhere in the world, and we can work together to tailor a set of songs on piano and/or ukulele that'll fit the bill.
LEVEL TWO: $50,000
Same as above, PLUS: I will create a painting or other work of art inspired by, and in support of, your favorite charity, to be included in the Art Tour. (a link to more info on the Art Tour can be found, below)
All Loanspark Patrons' names will be included in a list of "OFFICIAL PATRONS (on behalf of Charity X)" in the following:
• album credits (online, and in physical CDs and vinyl) (includes links to charities)
• a press release specifically detailing this LOANSPARK campaign in conjunction with Amanda's new album.
All Loanspark Patrons will also receive multiple copies of the album, access to all of my upcoming headlining shows for the next year of touring, and a signed copy of the art book.’
It is impressive, but this woman is more than an artist, she is a savvy businesswoman!