Local artists find new ways to finance records through Beat Roots and Kickstarter

When it comes to financing a record, there is a gaping hole between signed and unsigned artists. Recording can be expensive -- depending on the method and studio chosen -- and production and distribution are a whole different story. Liz Clark and Tessa Perry have created Beat Roots, a concert...

By Bree Davies

November 2, 2010

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When it comes to financing a record, there is a gaping hole between signed and unsigned artists. Recording can be expensive -- depending on the method and studio chosen -- and production and distribution are a whole different story. Liz Clark and Tessa Perry have created Beat Roots, a concert and cooking series that uses their culinary skills to bridge the monetary gap.

Here's how it works: For $50 a person, Lonely & The Bear (Clark and Perry) will come to your home, prepare you a gourmet three-course meal -- wine and dessert included -- and play an acoustic set for your party afterward. You get a freshly prepared dinner at home complete with a serenade, and the duo gets to put money toward its next record. What a concept.

Local folk singer Katey Laurel, meanwhile, is taking a slightly more common approach to fund her forthcoming record, using the website Kickstarter.com (remember the "Save Monolith" fund?) to reach out to fans for support. For $8, you get a download of Laurel's EP, while $10 gets you a physical, signed copy, and $25 gets you both a signed copy and a specially designed T-shirt. So far, Laurel is about halfway to her goal. Not bad.

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Bree Davies is a multimedia journalist, artist advocate and community organizer born and raised in Denver. Rooted in the world of Do-It-Yourself arts and music, Davies co-founded Titwrench experimental music festival, is host of the local music and comedy show Sounds on 29th on CPT12 Colorado Public Television and is creator and host of the civic and social issue-focused podcast, Hello? Denver? Are You Still There? Her work is centered on a passionate advocacy for all ages, accessible, inclusive, non-commercial and autonomous DIY art spaces and music venues in Denver.

Contact: Bree Davies

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Twitter: @cocodavies