Pledge Music | SoulSide Funk

Ny and Pledging to make music

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Rob

Last week I stumbled across Ny’s Pledge Music page and it made me think a lot about music and funding. For those who haven’t heard of Pledge Music here is a quick synopsis. Pledge Music is a website which helps musicians self-fund projects (very similar to Kickstarter or Indiegogo). Musicians launch projects and people pledge different amounts to help reach the target in return for rewards. It is a way for artists to get money direct from their fans when other sources have evaporated or the project is a little experimental. Ny is using the platform to fund a live show.

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It always staggers me to think how long Ny has been on the scene. Split Ends Vols 1 & 2 were the mixtapes of choice during summers when we actually had some sun and yet to many she is still a “new artist”. Her latest album, which flew under many radars (mine included), Who Is She, was released to little fanfare yet was a solid offering.

I particularly like her Pledge Music project because it is going towards paying for a gig as opposed to the usual album or EP release. Although, on the page she says the gig in the 9th May, however there are still 40+ days left to Pledge… you do the maths! Then again Elektrowerks may be a secret Tardis that will transport us all back in time – can’t wait.

Time travel aside I also love Ny’s project because the pledges on offer seem very personal. She’s really putting herself out there for her fans with loads of opportunities to meet and get to know her. In the mix you can pledge to have coffee with her (£25), or go on a dog walk (£30). There was even a pamper day (although these are now all gone).

I like the creativity in the Pledges on offer as well. The opportunity is to choose two songs on the set list (£15) is pure gold. I cannot tell you how many times I have been at gigs willing them to play that B-side single and left a little disappointed when they predictability didn’t.

My favourite has to be £30 to get Ny to sing a cover for you. The mischievous temptation to ask her to sing Nessun Dorma was too much so I just settled for a signed CD.

Joking aside Ny’s project is great, and she is a really deserving musician. Life as an indie artist is tough because the funding and recognition sometimes just isn’t there, no matter how good you are or how hard you work. However, it does give you opportunities to do something like this and really get to know the people buying and supporting your music. Ny should be applauded for the variety and value of pledges on offer also!

I do hope she hits her target because even after all these years I still have not seen her perform live.

You can support Ny in her quest to sing in North London over at Pledge Music - http://www.pledgemusic.com/artists/nyofficial

Rob

Filed under: Gig Alerts, Gig News, My Thoughts | Tagged: Gig, music funding, Ny, Pledge Music | Leave a Comment »

Gig review and pictures: Natty at Bush Hall (04/06/2010)

Posted on June 9, 2010 by Rob

Natty’s gig at Bush Hall was definitely not what I was expecting, which was both good and bad. What was I expecting? Something reminiscent of his pretty special Lovebox set, full on hip-hop dosed reggae full of energy and verve…

…what we got musically was far better as he style down to an acoustic set. I don’t know what it is that makes songs stripped down naked sound so good. Natty’s distinctive voice cut through and sounded even more authoritative as he sung about the xBox generation, love and life. Crowds favourites July, Bedroom Eyes and Cold Town got the roars of approval they deserved.

Hearing Natty sing acoustically is something we will be getting used to as his new ep (fan funded by Pledge Music) will be a totally acoustic affair. Recorded in honour of close friend who passed away last year, the songs sound a little more intense, a little more introspective. They are songs that deserve a dedicated first listen, alone with the iPod, to capture the emotion. Friday night at Bush Hall with a fairly excitable crowd did not do the new songs the justice they deserved; a more personal venue may have done the trick. That was the bad because the new songs sounded so good, I just wish I had to chance to hear and understand them a little more (all the talking didn’t help either as it seemed concentration levels waned a little as people wanted to party!).

It looks like the new EP is going to be a real treat for summer, and Natty live remains a great experience; free flowing and fun. Acoustically his voice gets the chance to come into its own, I just wish I could have digested the new music first so I could truly savour the moment live.

Soulside Funk

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