Dear family and friends:
In the past year, we have outgrown our current identity as a local music publication that covered over 500 local artists, venues, and music technology companies in 2016 and have metamorphosized into an ambitious operation that seeks to disrupt the industry through our focus in local music. Of some of our proudest moments in the last year, we presented a demo at the Paramount Theater to hundreds of people, crowdsurfed through 14 local and non-local festivals, developed our minimum viable product, and hosted a few local music industry brunches as we discussed pertinent issues in the local scene with special guests such as Austin Mayor Steve Adler.
Help us get to our first milestone of $20,000!
Now that the On Vinyl team has grown the concept of OV from a simple idea to a so-close-that-you-can-touch-it reality, we are setting out to launch a $570,000 raise in seed funding to help fully launch our business. As a part of this campaign, I am reaching out to ask for your help in contributing to the first $20,000 portion of this raise--for without support from our friends and family, we cannot possibly make real impact.
Our philosophy
Our general purpose is simple: We support local business through local music and local music through local business.
Mission statement
On Vinyl Media Group builds hyperlocal communities centered around local music by sustaining the local music culture, creating a framework of support for local artists through content, curation and press, and providing businesses and communities with music technology solutions that support legal, licensed, and local music while sustaining a culture of divergence.
Core values
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Tenacity
Passion Divergent Thinking DIY Transparency |
In music, and in startups, you must know how to bounce back quickly.
Having a fire in your heart is essential in running a business, especially in the music industry. We have no patience for mediocrity--we seek to innovate and disrupt. Teamwork makes the dream work, but we also value proactivity and creativity. The current licensing space is entangled in obscurities--we want to change that. |
Our vision
It's not (just) about providing legal, licensed, and locally centered background music--not at all! We dream of going beyond that into disrupting the licensing space and the outdated framework of the music industry with technological infrastructure. With both public- and private-sector verticals, we envision building network so large that we can create a means for musicians to easily communicate with other local bands in other local communities to set up tours, bring their art to other cities, and essentially strengthen the network of middle-class musicians.
We want to explore how we can use different business models and emerging technologies to create diversified streams of income for artists. While it is a challenge, we are confident and driven by our mission to succeed.
We want to explore how we can use different business models and emerging technologies to create diversified streams of income for artists. While it is a challenge, we are confident and driven by our mission to succeed.
Why local?
The current music industry model is a ladder with broken rungs. Without the ability to take a step up the ladder, massive amounts of talent goes unrecognized. A community that lack a strong and unique local music industry may suffer from the tragic loss of an important part of their culture. Furthermore, without building multiple strong local music communities supported by music tech, artists face massive challenges in touring. With creative development, we can help build up these local music communities so that artists from all over can connect, network, and share audiences.
The breakdown
Here's where your contribution will go:
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$50,000
$95,000 $360,000 $35,000 $30,000 |
Music licensing costs from ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and SoundExchange
Two full time positions to actively handle general tasks and sales Investment in our music streaming technology Renting a space where our team members can work and host events Marketing campaigns |
Standard donations
We are asking for standard donations of $250, $500, $750, and $1,000.
- Every donation will receive a handwritten letter from our founder and an On Vinyl-branded t-shirt.
- Donations larger than $500 will receive a signed vinyl record from a local Austin artist.
- $50 of donations larger than $750 will go to the SIMS Foundation.
- Donations larger than $1,000 will receive a pair of general admissions tickets to any Austin music festival.
How else can I help?
If you are not in a position to support us with a standard donation, please consider committing to spreading the word to at least three (3) of your friends about this campaign. Tell them why it matters, why they should support, and share our mission. We appreciate every little bit of help!