Cherry Suede wants their fans to be with them every step of the way as they interact with the world around them, while writing, recording and performing music in the genre that both the band and their fans are extremely passionate about...ROCK. For only $5 a month ($50) a year, fans get exclusive access to:
Subscription as a business model
Cherry Suede is always looking to re-define the independent artist business model. While the band is not about to follow in the footsteps of artists like "Radiohead" and remove their songs from popular music streaming services, they simply don't see these options as primary income sources. "We think these services are fantastic and incredibly convenient for the casual music fan - but as an independent artist, the majority of our sales will always come from our core fans. They are our lifeblood and the sole reason we exist; we built the CSB for them" says guitarist Randy Young. With average gross payouts around a half-cent ($.005) per play for ad-supported streams, an independent artist will need about 230,000 streams each month - about 7,700 plays every day - just to earn minimum wage for only ONE band member. That means about 1,000,000 streams per month for a 4 member band, not even taking into account the cost to produce and market the music.
Story driven releases powered by cutting edge technology
Cherry Suede has a story to tell, and with a little help from cutting edge technology, they are telling that story in a way that is fresh and new. By leveraging the latest developments in the web world, the band creates an immersive and engaging music experience. "This kind of deep engagement simply can't be done through iTunes or YouTube. Imagine a 'behind the music' episode meets a 'choose your own adventure' book" says Randy Scott. Randy Young adds, "To us, Rock 'n' Roll has always been about taking a long hard look at which musical tropes are outdated, and taking chances to invent new ones. Pete Townshend took a chance and gave us Tommy; Roger Waters gave us Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall. Rock has to be about pushing the envelope in every aspect, and let's face it, life is much more interesting when you're living on the edge."
Community Oriented
As a philosophy, Cherry Suede always puts their most passionate and supportive fans first. "Today's music fan wants more than just an iTunes download and the occasional YouTube video," says lead singer Randy Scott. "Our goal is to make the CSB the online equivalent of a Bruce Springsteen concert experience. Always filled with surprises, and always giving you more than expected." This "fan-first" attitude is proving to be a successful one. Since the website went online in early July, Cherry Suede has seen a significant impact on their bottom line. In one month, the return on subscriptions and other site special events has already exceeded the band's total return from today's current indie music revenue sources such as Spotify, Pandora and iTunes, combined.
"This is not simply a run-of-the mill fan club site. Joining the CSB is like joining a family. A family that shares music, relives past shows together, takes an active role in the creative process, and comes together for live shows all over the world." Randy Scott explains. While the CSB is for the Cherry Suede connoisseur, the band also offers a free membership where you can get to know the band through a weekly free song and video digest called Suede's World. With the CSB, Cherry Suede takes the musical philosophy of the rock genre's most forward-thinking pioneers and integrates it with today's technology, creating a whole new way to bridge the gap between artist and fan. It is their hope that more artists embrace this direct, community-driven approach, so that a stronger and more self-sustaining independent music scene may thrive outside the current major label oligopoly.
About Cherry Suede:
Cherry Suede is a popular independent rock band from Ottawa, ON Canada. Incorporating the unique approach of a direct-to-fan business model, they have toured Canada, United States, United Kingdom and Africa, without the help of any traditional record companies or agents. They are one of the first indie bands to embrace live concert streaming, and their Indiegogo crowd funding campaigns have both greatly exceeded their goals. They often create premium travel experiences to destinations that include NYC, London, UK and even Kenya. Their merchandise line ranges from traditional shirts, hoodies and coffee mugs, to their own line of coffee and chocolate. The strong word of mouth and loyalty of Cherry Suede's fans has helped push them to the fore-front of leading independent artists, and where they dominate several key niche market segments online. Cherry Suede is fully licensed by SOCAN for their live streams in Canada and their on-demand content is handled through Limelight.
For more information about The Cherry Suede Brigade go to http://cherrysuedebrigade.com.
