Just a quick post about a “new” business model that’s actually been knocking around for a while. What’s most significant is an artist of Kristen’s stature acknowledging the reality of free music and most importantly taking steps to address that reality.
Kristen Hirsch (of former Warner act Throwing Muses and now successful solo artist), along with a number of other artists, has started cashmusic.org. The basic premise of Kirsten’s offering is basically something Techdirt’s Mike Masnick had suggested all the way back in 2003.
At it’s heart, it’s a subscription model, but with a twist - Subscriptions range from:
Dime-a-Day Level: $10 per quarter
In addition to the music and media files, you will also receive:
- a CASH Music Kristin Hersh window sticker
- a limited-edition quarterly poster
- all members in good standing will also receive Kristin’s new CD, when it’s complete ahead of the release date
all the way up to:
Executive Producer Level Support: $5000
In addition to all the above, Executive Producers receive:
- in lieu of a Featured Sponsor credit, they shall receive an Executive Producer credit on Kristin’s next CD.
I love Kristen’s philosophy and it’s another wrinkle that might serve artists at Kristen’s level and below well.
December 28, 2007 at 1:09 pm
[...] Penny Distribution blog has alerted us to the news that musician Kristin Hersh has actually adopted something very much [...]
December 29, 2007 at 7:57 am
[...] Penny Distribution blog has alerted us to the news that musician Kristin Hersh has actually adopted something very much [...]
February 10, 2008 at 3:03 pm
[...] while. Techdirt’s Mike Masnick’s “Free” based business model, suggested back in 2003, was recently adopted by former major label artist Kristen Hirsch. And author of “The Long Tail” and Wired editor Chris Anderson is also a proponent - Chris is [...]