Behold, Our New Report Center

Ever wonder just how much money you’re going to make this year - but don’t have the time to add up all those gig guarantees? We have you covered.

Visit the new report center to get a one-stop overview of all your finances, including the gigs you haven’t played yet. When you add a gig with a guarantee, it will automatically be included in your future projections, and displayed alongside your revenues and expenses already accounted for. It’s a perfect way to get a glimpse into your future.

After all, we didn’t name the software Artist Growth for nothing.

Haven’t tried Artist Growth yet? Sign up today for a 14 day free trial.

Artist Growth 2.0 HAS LAUNCHED!

One year after launching its award-winning set of tools for artists to manage their business, Artist Growth has amassed more than 10,000 active users (including major touring acts such as Kings of Leon, Emmylou Harris, and Ke$ha) and built partnerships with some of the industry’s most forward-thinking companies. Now with a complete redesign by AG’s own in-house developers, the Artist Growth platform takes a leap forward with the release of AG 2.0.

Said Artist Growth Co-Founder and CEO Matt Urmy, “AG 2.0 has been built so both independent artists and major management companies can use the system. This, along with our integrated APIs, opens doors to some very exciting possibilities for future business models in the industry, and I am thrilled to be working with industry leaders to bring some of these new models to fruition.” 

Among the A-list management companies that have placed their artist rosters on AG 2.0 is Vector Management. “It is very important to me that Vector is always looking forward and discovering new and efficient ways of doing business in this industry,” noted Vector’s Ken Levitan. “Our relationship with Artist Growth is a perfect example of that spirit, and we are excited about the future.”

AG’s 2.0 system will integrate all of Artist Growth’s partnerships in one place. Two of the first are: 

• Sound Healthcare – Artist Growth is the first music tech company to provide a health benefits program, and through SH, will help artists in participating states gain access to affordable health care and insurance, as well as benefit from advocacy in navigating the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). “Our Alliance with Artist Growth is a way to make certain that the interests of artists, producers, and managers are served, and to protect them from illness and injury in the U.S. and abroad,” said Sound Healthcare CEO RJ Stillwell. “I applaud Matt Urmy’s extraordinary vision and compassion to make this partnership possible.” 

• BMI – AG and BMI users can easily register their setlists for live performance royalties. Said Mike O’Neill, BMI Senior Vice President of Repertoire & Licensing, “Integrating BMI Live with Artist Growth’s refreshed 2.0 platform aligns with BMI’s goal of using innovative technologies to benefit our songwriters.”

The Working Artist: Leticia Wolf

Speaking of her upcoming album on her Pledge page, indie songstress Leticia Wolf says to her fans, “This will be the truest, most beautiful work of my life thus far, and I want you here with me in its creation.” In the following interview and the video (above), Wolf tells us about her new approach to making music, as well as how she’s integrated PledgeMusic and Artist Growth to make it happen.

You said this is a project you’ve wanted to put out for a while. Why wait until now for songs like these compared to other styles you’ve already recorded?

Honestly, this is the first time it’s truly up to me! I’ve always been into indie, alternative, whatever you want to call the music that makes you think and has some grit and edge. However, for many reasons including marketability, my demographics, availability of players, etc., I was always pushed toward a more polished sound. Now that I’m doing a record for my fans with my fans involved in choosing songs for the record, I’m finding that my fans agree and want the more challenging material! I’m using more metaphor, rather than storytelling, and I’m plugging in the guitar – oh my! 

You’re working with Patrick Damphier. I’d love to hear more about your partnership with him and how you first met.

I first heard Patrick’s work in the early 2000s on a record he did for a band called LX. I was crazy about that record – not necessarily because of the content, but because he had made it sound exactly like the band sounded live, but better. Not only that, it sounded just how they wanted it to sound. 

Years later, in this position I’m in now, that talent is paramount. I needed someone who could produce not what the majority wanted, but what my fans and I wanted. So, I face-booked him! Ahhh … technology. A week later we were having lunch and he was in. I’m very excited. He’s got an incredible ear, and he plays all instruments, so if a track is missing something, he can jump in there and play it without having to call someone else.

I know you use both Artist Growth and PledgeMusic. Would you tell us a little about how both sites have worked together for you?

The pre-production for this record is unlike anything I’ve ever done, or seen done for that matter, and I couldn’t do it without the seamless platform that PledgeMusic has given me. I started my campaign with <I>no songs</I> written. As soon as the campaign started, I began writing songs and posting them on my Pledge wall for my Pledgers to critique, download and discuss. 

These sites have been working together for me since day one, when Artist Growth suggested I use PledgeMusic to raise the funds for my record. What a perfect marriage that was! PledgeMusic has allowed me an intimacy with my fans during the writing process that I’ve never had before, and Artist Growth supports my pre-production process with their Action Packs that help guide me through the steps of album development, refinement, promotion and release.

How does each site add to what you’re doing on the other?

These two sites work together so beautifully you would think they were designed with the other in mind! As an artist, my mind is not usually centered on the business, so it’s hard to be about the business and create art at the same time. Artist Growth is the platform I use to organize the business side. They keep me focused, informed and on a schedule. 

Their Action Packs remind me to email radio stations, consider bridges of songs, ask for art proofs … I mean … everything a guy in a suit from a label would be doing or asking me to do, but without the bad cologne. <I>And</I> everything the Action Pack asks me to do makes sense! So as I’m raising money with PledgeMusic, working that timeline, Artist Growth is guiding me through the business side of the process. The usefulness of these two applications has exceeded my expectations. I’m really so thrilled!

We love the descriptions for the Pledge exclusives (i.e. The True Bro, The Friendo, The Co-Conspirator). Was it fun for you to put the campaign together?

By day, I am a creative director at my job, so coming up with “content” is something I do naturally. It was really easy, and the Pledge platform is so user friendly. I was really pleasantly surprised. I gave all of the exclusives titles because I wanted to immediately make the Pledger feel that they were selecting more than merchandise, but also a title and a place on the team!

One of your exclusives is to write a song for a fan and include it on the album. That seems a bit risky, does it not?

I don’t feel that way. I’m looking for new, exciting ways to involve fans, but also to demonstrate what I’ve mastered over many years – the art of crafting something that is beautiful, poignant and speaks to a theme, while incorporating any subject matter. I’m confident it will be no problem, and not only that, but I know it will be a lot of fun to have that one-on-one with a fan. I’m really hopeful that someone selects that. I’d love to see it happen. I think it would only make the record even closer to what I want it to be – a gift given between myself and my fans.

You have two charities listed. What made you decide to support both?

I am personally connected to both, so I couldn’t choose between them. I will personally match whatever money is raised by this campaign for my charities so that I can give to both. That’s the plan! I work for a green company, so sustainability is very important to me. That’s why I chose global green. The other charity focuses on supplying clean drinking water to parts of the world that do not have access to it. The fact that children die because they don’t have access to clean water enters my mind every time I hear the decadent gush of my faucet. Everyone deserves that kind of access. Drop in the Bucket works hard to make it happen.

An Empowered Future

teamsidewinder:

By Matt Urmy | @matturmy

I would never presume to be able to provide truly valuable insight into the values and philosophies that shaped the business models of the music industry from previous decades. I simply do not know enough about it. And today, there are many areas of the industry that I would not be qualified to give a keynote speech about, such as copyright law, or royalty rate negotiations for online radio. Despite this, I am asked almost daily to answer questions regarding the state of our current industry, and make forecasts as to what I believe the future holds. It’s a fun question… but divination is a risky business.

Read More

Future of Music Coalition Live Stream

Artist Growth CEO Matt Urmy will be coming up to speak at Future of Music Coalition Summit momentarily! You can watch live right here.

Video streaming by Ustream

The Working Artist - Donnie Biggins of The Shams Band

We caught up with Donnie Biggins of The Shams Band out of Chicago. Pictured above with his beautiful new daughter Maeve, Donnie talks to Artist Growth about the band, the road, and juggling all the pieces.

AG: How did team work lead to the success of The Shams Band?

DB: Team work definitely plays a major role in The Shams Band. We all have responsibilities and we rely on each other to get them done. When a band works as a unit, they find success. For example, at the beginning, I learned the booking side of life in Chicago. It benefited us greatly. While I was learning that, Brian (bass) used his graphic design degree to help with all design work. Paul (Lead Vox, Guitar) has a degree in sound engineering and has always recorded/mixed our music. Doug (drums) has the muscle and the vehicle. Ben (Banjo) adds the social aspect to a band. He also is a multi-instrumentalist and a great singer who completes our 4-part harmonies. 

Early on, we approached the Chicago music scene as a team. We always attended shows together and were able to make a lot of friends this way. If you see one of us out and about at a concert, more than likely there are more Shams Band members there. 

AG: How did you utilize technology to balance multiple projects?

DB: Technology plays a major role in music today. The best thing about technology is being able to communicate to our social networks through our phones on tour. Uploading images and videos can really capture the moments and bring our friends and family to the city we are in. I still wish there was less technology today in the music industry. It would require people to physically go out and seek music. 

AG: What’s your favorite (city, guilty pleasure and/or ritual) on tour?

DB: Chips! We always get into deep conversations about chip “dust” flavors and our favorite types. That is what touring is all about. Chips, cheap beer and the finest hotel rooms. On the longest drives, we’ll call other bands like Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes and constantly prank one another. Thats the best way to maintain a relationship with other bands on the road. 

You can stay up with Donnie and The Shams Band on their website and Facebook! You can purchase music here.