Introductions

[vegasdragons]

elleanore said:

And I would love to perform with nemesea on day and sing with brian of vegas dragons

The honour would be all mine. My friends and I are all big fans of you. Side by side on the Sellaband CD is very cool - side by side on stage would be even better.
Thank you!

[wetwerks]

1. What name do we know you by on Sellaband?

My name’s Rob - drummer and co-producer of the band Wetwerks

2. What are you on Sellaband? (artist/believer/both)

Both artist and believer

3. Tell us something about yourself.

Well, a large part of my background is in Telecommunications. Throughout the late 90’s I worked as an engineer for a few of the companies that built the infrastructure of the Internet as we know it today. Most of my time was spent climbing around inside wire-closets or central offices full of miles and miles of copper and fiber optic cable. When I wasn’t actually in the field, I was usually scrambling to learn the next technology that we would be responsible for implementing.
(This time period has been referred to as “the great build out” - these companies were anticipating the growth of the Net as we see and use it today - not as it was in 1999-2000. Long story short? They overshot the mark and built about 5 billion in network infrastructure five years too early. The result was the collapse of the Telecoms and a great excuse for me, (freshly unemployed) to go record a Wetwerks album with my friends.

It is an amazing thing for me to come full circle, to finally see the Net actually *begging* for more bandwidth because of sites like YouTube filling the pipeline. There are millions of miles of fiber strewn across the ocean floor, only just being lit up for the first time since 1999. If you couldn’t tell already, I’m a technology junkie

4. How did you find out about Sellaband and what convinced you to sign up?

I was casually browsing MySpace pages one evening and I saw a banner ad for the site. So began my Sellaband research project, though we didn’t actually sign up till about a month later. I was a skeptic, mainly because of the number of websites on the internet dedicated to ripping people off or simply bending the truth to suit some lame scheme. Ultimately it was the Believer community that sealed the deal. Reading the dialogues between artists and their supporters was to us proof of something far cooler than money.
This was truly a vehicle for connecting us to the rest of the world (and so it has!).

5. What do you like/dislike about the concept?

There really isn’t anything to dislike as long as you come into this with open eyes and proper expectations. It is important to know what this is, and what this is not. If we were to take nothing more away from this than a bunch of new fans and friends then we’d still be rich indeed.

As musicians, what is so exciting is the prospect of taking all that we have learned on our journey thus far, and bringing it to life with the quality that 50k will yield. We know what can be done with 5K (songs like Further, Brave etc) – but we’re compelled to see what’s around that corner

What tactics do you use to try and attract believers?

Information and Education (sounds boring I know) so don’t forget the rock! Kidding aside this is so brand new that people are still scratching their heads when they hear about it. The only way to grow this is to make it super-simple (and fun) to not only learn about the essence of Sellaband, but once sold on the concept, make that first all-important $10 investment.

Are there any other artists on Sellaband you're interested in or would like to work with?

There are so many great talents on here! Suffice it to say that if we get the opportunity to collaborate with anyone it would be a blast. This includes any genre really – our rock sound is only one facet of the studio and production process that we’ve been developing. We work on purely acoustic folk material, remixes, hip hop, electronic, industrial – whatever. Seth does all sorts of side work, Dan runs a small studio, I do a ton of remix work. It’s just more fun to go with the flow.


What would you like to achieve through your experience with Sellaband?

50K is a destination, but it is the more-important journey we’re talking about here. If we can continue to meet new and unique people from all over the world, develop ourselves further as a creative team and continue to rock, then…pssh! Mission accomplished! Can you imagine what may be around the corner from all this? Makes the imagination run wild.

Why should believers believe in you?

The music!! The songs!

The rest of it is secondary, most of it tertiary.

[magnusbe]

1. What name do we know you by on Sellaband?

Magnus Bernhardsen

2. What are you on Sellaband?


believer

3. Tell us something about yourself.
4. How did you find out about Sellaband and what convinced you to sign up?

I've always been interested in music. I was a member of fan clubs, bought all sorts of magazines and papers, went to loads of concerts, stayed up all nights listening to radio... and spent all my money on vinyl and later CDs.

The recent years I noticed I didn't care as much anymore. I wasn't interested in new bands, I was tired of concerts, almost never bought CDs - and when I did, it was mostly stuff I had bought before on vinyl.

So. I got an iPod, and started to fill it. I was pissed off with DRM that only hurt customers, and I never seemed to find found the music I wanted DRM-free.

Finally I came across a discussion about non-RIAA/IFPI [RIAA's Norwegian counterpart] music, and followed a link to Sellaband.

I enjoy it. I have had the privilege of watching several of my friends progress from starting a band to releasing albums, and it is fun to be able to tag along for the process here as well. I really love the whole thing about bypassing the major labels like we do here on SAB.

Another thing is that I find myself listening, really listening, to artists I'd never give the time earlier, because I like how they present themselves or how others talk about them. So, I'm pushing myself to new discoveries again, something which is kinda invigorating.

5. What do you like/dislike about the concept?

I think I've written about the like salready. Dislikes... I'd like to be able to download the songs for my iPod. I'd like more stats on my profile, the info that comes in the notification emails should be aggregated on the profile page. I'd like to see how many have an artist on their wish list. I expect there to be a good market place for excess CDs when the CDs are published.

Another thing I dislike are the private messages from bands I have not bought parts in.

How do you decide what artists to support?

Do I like it enough? It's that simple, I think. The first part I bought was for Second Person, and I'd bought their CD in the store if I came across it. Clemence... well, I liked it, and it was fun to see another artist go to 50K, although I think there are many artists on SAB I like more than her.

Who are your current top 3 recommendations of artists to support and why?

Heh, the three I've bought parts in that haven't reached 50K:
Slim Void
Trail
Wetwerks

What advice would you give to artists who have just signed up to Sellaband?

I'd love to see more Norwegians on board. My advice to them would be to foster a community for Norwegian artists and believers, so that we could cooperate in getting the site known here.

[regulators]

admin said:

So,

Now we have a couple of the Sellaband guys checking us out (Hello Pim and Johan ;D) I thought it might be a good idea to drop in a thread with a set of introduction questions based on the artist/believer articles in the Tribune. I know some (many?) of you have been done already, but I thought it might give them some ideas of who to ask to be the next "victim" if we get enough people to respond to this!

1. What name do we know you by on Sellaband?
The Regulators
2. What are you on Sellaband? (artist/believer/both)
Artist
3. Tell us something about yourself.
The Regulators - Original Jamaican Ska
4. How did you find out about Sellaband and what convinced you to sign up?
Myspace.com

artists:
What tactics do you use to try and attract believers?
By advertising on myspace and our own site.
Are there any other artists on Sellaband you're interested in or would like to work with?
Other Ska/Reggae bands

[Joyce Dijkgraaf]

vegasdragons said:

elleanore said:

And I would love to perform with nemesea on day and sing with brian of vegas dragons

The honour would be all mine. My friends and I are all big fans of you. Side by side on the Sellaband CD is very cool - side by side on stage would be even better.
Thank you!

Who knowes what time will bring

[Utterly B Groovy]

regulators said:

What tactics do you use to try and attract believers?
By advertising on myspace and our own site.

... But apparently not advertising on this site?

Links people Links!

Ladies and Gentlemen,
will you please put your hands together and give a warm Sellaband Welcome, in association with UBG-Links Inc, to ...
The Regulators

FYI: I Like It!

UBG

[emka]

Finally after registering and only reading posts I am writing my introduction.

What name do we know you by on Sellaband?
emka

What are you on Sellaband? (artist/believer/both)
believer

Tell us something about yourself.
I am a 24-year-old single from Austria. In my job as a software developer I write code in C++ for embedded systems. One of my hobbies is watching TV - I own a big C-Band antenna, which is quite uncommon in Austria. My favourite channel is "NHK World"; and I am fascinated by the Japanese culture.

How did you find out about Sellaband and what convinced you to sign up?
Back in November 2006 the IT news website of the Austrian broadcaster ORF featured an article about Sellaband (and a picture of Lily - isn't that convincing enough? )
Sadly I came after Nemesea finished their budget and missed also the SAB CD1 competition.

What do you like/dislike about the concept?
I like the possibility to support promising artists - and to be able to hear music that sounds "fresh" (and isn't played every time when I turn my radio on).
Dislike - hard to tell ... Initially I planned to purchase one part only per artist (yeah I know, 2-3 parts are also very low numbers compared to other believers).

How do you decide what artists to support?
Reading recommendations and listening to the recommended artists.

Who are your current top 3 recommendations of artists to support and why?
Lily - she would really deserve it to record the CD.
Vegas Dragons - very cool musicians!
Elleanore - I like the vocals.

Any other artists you're currently interested in?
There are some - but because of the huge number of artists and lack of time most of them are only on the first 4-5 pages.

What advice would you give to artists who have just signed up to Sellaband?
Try to get local supporters/fans to believe in you - and don't write profile spam!

----

I want to say sorry to "Vegas Dragons" because I used an expression that I didn't want to use (fault because English isn't my mother language)

[vegasdragons]

Hello Emka. Thank you for your lovely comments about Vegas Dragons. It is very much appreciated and so great to have you as a Believer.
Thank you

[emka]

Sorry, I used a really wrong expression It wasn't intended to be negative - I enjoy the music of "Vegas Dragons".

*emka slaps himself for not using a dictionary*

Regards,
Martin

[vegasdragons]

I can't see anything bad. You are great! Thank you so much for your comments!

[sabretung]

1. What name do we know you by on Sellaband?
Sabretung

2. What are you on Sellaband? (artist/believer/both)
Artist.

3. Tell us something about yourself.
AUSSIE THRASH METAL!!!

4. How did you find out about Sellaband and what convinced you to sign up?
A bulletin on myspace from ARTS recording studio.

5. What do you like/dislike about the concept?
A convenient way for artists and believers to come together.

What tactics do you use to try and attract believers?
Free EPs and free shirts.

Are there any other artists on Sellaband you're interested in or would like to work with?
I havent seen any other thrash metal bands yet, but good luck to all artists.

What would you like to achieve through your experience with Sellaband?
A full length recording that can be available world wide.

Why should believers believe in you?
We are business minded in how we work and believe that sellaband is a sound investment for us and we are a sound investment for believers.

[wyando]

3 weeks of lurking is enough - can't promise I'll write a lot, but we'll see...
My first message to this board should be my introduction:

1. What name do we know you by on Sellaband?
{stands up, shyly, look around} Hej everybody, I'm Wyando...

2. What are you on Sellaband? (artist/believer/both)
... And I'm a believer. {sits down again}

3. Tell us something about yourself.
Please have a look at my profil www.sellaband.com/believer/wyando/#aboutme

4a. How did you find out about Sellaband...
An article on the website of my favourite computer magazin c't: www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/87427.
4b. ...and what convinced you to sign up?
The concept. The idea. And especially: the music inside.

5. What do you like/dislike about the concept?
What I absolute like is the contact with the artist, musician. The posibility to see them grow. And being a part of it.
Dislike? Can't say yet, after just bein' 3 weeks in the system

6. How do you decide what artists to support?
That will be the most difficult question for the next years...
As I said in my profile "I don't have any knowledge about music itself. I just hear it and like it, or not. And sometimes (way to often) it touches me. Makes goose bumps and alike. And I do have a soft spot for female voices with a guitar... (but not only!)"
(Un)fortunatly, I do have collector-"genes", and SAB is something, what feeds them enormously. So, speaking for now, I will invest in any artist reaching the 40k, and in any artist I like (especially when causing those goose bumps), but I will have a limit of parts per month, so it will each time become a hard decision...
BTW: I must admit, that I like EmpireOfOne's Investment Manifesto very much

7. Who are your current top 3 recommendations of artists to support and why?
1. Light (she is one of those goos bumps creators! And today I've received her first double CD as a gift, woot!)
2. Sowhat (those boys are incredible!)
3. Lily (nostalgia!)
(but in fact, there are so many...)

8. Any other artists you're currently interested in?
Too many, to much...

What advice would you give to artists who have just signed up to Sellaband?
I just signed up myself, so I can't give any advice yet...

[EmpireOfOne]

wyando said:

BTW: I must admit, that I like EmpireOfOne's Investment Manifesto very much

Sometimes we can forget why we do certain things, I felt that by writing it down it would help me to remember why I am a believer. I hope it helps ;D

[webturtle]

1. What name do we know you by on Sellaband? Webturtle
2. What are you on Sellaband? (artist/believer/both) Believer
3. Tell us something about yourself.
I've been very active online since 1995, pretty much try to keep my hands in every form of web technology and service I can try out. I owned one of the first web design businesses in upstate NY and I'm also a digital graphic artist, and do print, communications and marketing design. I'm very interested in the web as a communications and community structure and like to be in the middle of things. Right now I work as a consultant - a "user experience designer" - and I'm casting about for my next gig.

When I'm not online or sleeping (the other 4 hours of the day), I'm either singing, dancing, or drumming somewhere. I spend a lot of summer weekends at music festivals. I'm single, and live with Oscar, who has his own SAB profile page.

4. How did you find out about Sellaband and what convinced you to sign up?

Rob in Wetwerks, who knows of my interests in music and web technology, told me about it. I knew he'd done his homework and wouldn't have brought it up if he hadn't tested the concept -- so there was no convincing necessary.

5. What do you like/dislike about the concept?

Obviously the likes FAR outweigh the dislikes. For starters, I like that it puts the power for music choices back into the hands of the people. I like that, with proper care and feeding of believers, the cream can rise to the top. I like that there is such an eclectic and high quality variety of musicians to listen to. I like that the SAB developers are listening to the community. And I just love the community of artists and believers and the friends that I have made around the world.

As far as dislikes - there are certain elements of the web site that I find frustrating and difficult, but I know its evolving. For example, the jukebox is a great idea but rarely ever spits back what I asked it for (I get stuff in genres I didn't want). I wish there were more ways for artists to be found, so they didn't feel they had to spam. I'm not too keen on the artist contests which seem to bring out an element of desperation... but then again, when it brings out the ugly, it's good thing because you get to see what people's true natures are, and decide if they are people you want to believe in.

How do you decide what artists to support?

I browse a lot, in the charts, and Rey's web page. I also read other artists and believers reviews, and do my own "if they like this, they'll like that" assumptions. I also use the jukebox, although the results there are spotty.

Who are your current top 3 recommendations of artists to support and why?

Three? No way.

Wetwerks - These guys are the real deal... extremely professional, driven, passionate and in possession of seemingly boundless talents. And as tight as their recordings are - they're incredible live.

Caya - Listen. And watch the videos. And when you're done there, browse to Casper's other site and listen more. Anyone with any concept of musical talent would have to be at least astounded at the way he plays guitar. Having been around music, particularly acoustic folk, all my life, Caya is one of the surest bets on SAB.

Mandyleigh Storm - This is easy. Instant super star... just add believers. Mandyleigh writes lyrics that reach into your psyche, stir your emotions, and tear you up (yes... it could be tears of joy or tears of pain or maybe just tear you to pieces). Her vocal range and capability is insane. She's got an incredible team backing her, and all the makings of a rock diva. Or a jazz diva. Or a blues diva. Or a pop diva. Name your female super star throughout history and I'll tell you why they've got nothing on Mandyleigh.

Okay. I'm not done but you said three

Any other artists you're currently interested in?

Oh yes. Mysti. Lily. chloe colette michelle. Outrance. The rest you can see on my wish list, where I store the ones I'm interested in until I have money to fling at them ;D

What advice would you give to artists who have just signed up to Sellaband?

First, bring your existing fanbase! Its up to you to do that -- to find creative and convincing ways to convert them. Its not easy, certainly but it can be done. If not that, at least your friends and family. Remember, this is just part of your overall strategy for success and you can't just sign up and expect people to find you and throw money. It takes time and effort, as well as talent - and the more you interact and communicate with the other people on SAB, the better chances you'll have of being discovered and promoted. Lastly, stay light and have fun with it...

[mandyleigh]

Oh I just had to thank you Webturtle. I`m honoured you`d say such a thing. I am blushing and not sure where to put my face at the moment. I thank-you. Its amazing but really I am just me and I just sing and I just write and if people like it, then I`m happy!

Thanks Sweetie XX