|
|
Altan: “We depend more on gigs for
our living”
06.01.15
DONEGAL traditional
band Altan have revealed they can no longer rely on
big record labels to get their music out to fans.
The five-piece group, who have been performing for
nearly 30 years, said they now depend more on live
gigs for their livelihoods.
And the band, who turned to fans last year to
crowd-source the cash for their latest album,
revealed that they successfully reached their
financial target, three days ahead of schedule.
"The music business is a changing world for
professional musicians as ourselves.
We depend more on live concerts to make our living.
"We can no longer depend on big record company
funding to get our music out there, we have to do it
ourselves," Altan told fans. |
 |
|
Altan. |
The group, featuring
Gaoth Dobhair fiddle player Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and
Buncrana fiddler Ciaran Tourish, signed up last year
with PledgeMusic to raise enough money to record
their new album in Nashville.
"With three days to go, we have reached 100 per cent
of our PledgeMusic campaign towards the costs of our
new recording. Now with your help we have funded our
latest album which we are really happy with. We are
delighted and humbled by your generosity," Altan
told Facebook followers on Saturday.
The band have licensed the new CD to Compass Records
in the US., with a release date expected in the
Spring.
Fans who signed up for the band's crowd funding
initiative were offered a wide variety of unique
experiences and products ranging in price from 10
euro to 2,500 euro. They included the chance to sing
a song on stage with the band for 1,000 euro; a
signed musical instrument for 1,000 euro; a recorded
phone message for 100 euro; a performance via Skype
for 120 euro and an exclusive live concert in a
fan's own living room for 2,500 euro. |
|
