CURRENT PROJECTS
The
Independent Music Foundation is currently seeking to reduce production and recording costs
for independent musicians.
There is perhaps no better time for such an effort.
Investment in music from traditional sources has dried up. Major
labels have little interest in unproven acts not seemingly guaranteed to sell
in large numbers and independent labels, once the backbone of the industry
responsible for breaking new acts, are struggling, pushed out of the
market by the larger companies and hurt the most by Internet
trading. With costs for professional recording studios ranging from $650 to $2000 per day
with an engineer, one can see the obvious obstacles
for musicians going it on their own. Major label recording budgets, for
instance, start at $120,000 per album.
The Independent Music Foundation is dedicated to providing not
only an engineer but production help as well to ensure that the money and effort
are
maximized.
Imagine if the opportunity could be created for bands to
record for free or at a sharp discount one week per month for, say, six months.
* It would invigorate the local music scene.
* It would improve musicianship. After a recording project, a
musician should always leave the studio a better player than when entered.
* It would give musicians an added sales and marketing tool to
draw interest from listeners and booking agents.
* It would improve the sound quality and marketability of music recordings coming out of
the indie scene.
It would also open to door for more creative projects. We would like to do a
compilation album of street musicians. We would like to gather some of the
best local jazz players in a studio for three days and see what happens. We
would like to put together a house band to back singer/songwriters. But
first, we need to book studio time and get the ball rolling. | 
