Any VIXEN fans with deep pockets out there?

The '80s girl band is the latest bunch to give this Kickstarter thing a go to fund a new album...

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/officialvixen/vixen-a-foxy-new-album

Sadly, none of the promised "rewards" for donors include naked pictures of Janet Gardner or Share Pedersen.

Only 1 original member left in the group huh?

I always dug Roxi P. myself...

Only $847 pledged towards a $35,000 goal thus far....

I dunno man. This whole "get fans to donate so we can make an album" just doesn't sit right with me. If you can't afford to do it yourself, then maybe you shouldn't.

It's like those girls that ask for donations for boob jobs or asking for donations to pay for your wedding. As a graphic artist, I couldn't see asking for handouts to buy a new computer or upgrades. I'd be hard pressed to find work if I told clients, "Hey gimme money first, then I'll give you the product in a few months. Maybe. If I get enough to buy After Effects CS5. Oh, and if you don't like the finished product, well too bad. You already gave me the money. No give-backs".

It just seems...uh, what's the word I'm looking for here? Chintzy?

Is the world clamoring for a new Vixen album? Judging from their current donations, the answer is "no".

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I dunno man. This whole "get fans to donate so we can make an album" just doesn't sit right with me. If you can't afford to do it yourself, then maybe you shouldn't.

Some artists want to do things...mostly for the fans, but they lack the support because the labels aren't interested or they are deemed uninteresting.
It's the same in the computer game world, Double Fine Productions (lead by two legends, Tim Schafer and Ron Gilbert, creators of awesome games like Monkey Island, Maniac Mansion and others) asked the fans for donations, so they can make a new game. Because no publisher was interested and nobody wanted to invest. They went the donation way, asking for 300.000$ for the game - after 24 hours gamers around the world donated 1 million dollars. I think that's great, that way those people can create the games/music/movies the way they want and imagine it, without a money-hungry corporation behind dictating everything to be as mainstream as possible.

I guess you can't blame bands for trying to find a way to ensure they don't lose money on an album, but these incentives...
40 dollars is the lowest you can pay to get the physical cd? Even for a band I loved that would be completely ridiculous

Oh, I get why folks do it. And if it works out, bully for them and their fans. But it just doesn't sit right with me. Nothing's gonna change my opinion on that.

adrian wrote:

40 dollars is the lowest you can pay to get the physical cd? Even for a band I loved that would be completely ridiculous

It's not...or is it? There are so many american bands that are completely unknown here in europe, their albums are out of print and you have to pay. I paid 32€ (around 42$) for Wildside - Under the Influence...used, but it was worth it and actually a low price compared to what some idiots on ebay want for it.
And i guess the album in this case will be produced in a low quantity so it's actually something like a collector's item and not something 3 million people will own.

ShadowAngel wrote:

adrian wrote:

40 dollars is the lowest you can pay to get the physical cd? Even for a band I loved that would be completely ridiculous

It's not...or is it? There are so many american bands that are completely unknown here in europe, their albums are out of print and you have to pay. I paid 32€ (around 42$) for Wildside - Under the Influence...used, but it was worth it and actually a low price compared to what some idiots on ebay want for it.
And i guess the album in this case will be produced in a low quantity so it's actually something like a collector's item and not something 3 million people will own.

$40 for a cd is too much for my taste - especially for one that hasnt been made yet and i dont know what it sounds like. I get why bands are doing the kickstarter thing but I think you can only go to well so many times before people stop donating.

My friend's band, Unbidden, wanted funds to record their album when it was released. I donated $10, and got thanked in the album booklet. I also bought three copies of it the day it was released.

It's really not as uncommon as you'd think.

$35,000 goal and grossly overpriced incentives = epic failure!

Fat Freddy wrote:

Only $847 pledged towards a $35,000 goal thus far....

Because it's a load of crap. They need $35,000 and it only "covers creating and packaging the album". But creating the album includes "demoing new material, recording, mixing, mastering, and associated rehearsal and travel expenses." Nonsense.

They can't demo material without money? And fans should pay rehearsal fees and travel expenses? FAAAAAAAAAAAAACK THAT!

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Oh, I get why folks do it. And if it works out, bully for them and their fans. But it just doesn't sit right with me. Nothing's gonna change my opinion on that.

I'm with you, to an extent. Some bands and artists have really done a great job with this new way of getting art to the fans. Ginger being the one that immediately comes to mind.

But clearly it's being abused by some people.

I just not into this kickstart thing, and while I think Vixen was ok, clearly there is no demand for a new Vixen album.

manny wrote:

I just not into this kickstart thing, and while I think Vixen was ok, clearly there is no demand for a new Vixen album.

yeah. I think all these bands asking for cash will cause donations to tail off at some point.

Vixen will fail...I predict.

This whole Kickstarter thing can't work for everyone. And I agree w/ Eyesore...ask for money to record/mix/press if you must...but asking fans to cover travel expenses and demo recording?? How many fans do they think they have?

And their last album, Live And Learn, wasn't very good.

If it works for them, but isn't that the point of a demo to raise interest. Why not just record a demo and offer it and get out there and play where ever they can. Am I missing the point here. If they do raise the cash and record the album, then what's next. Guess everyone's got an angle their working.

I could see this model working for a band of decent caliber...but a bottom rung, gimmick band from the 80s? I think not. Spend $10 and go see a local bar band, they are liable to be better anyway.

I love how you only get the CD if you pledge certain amounts of money. Pledge $3,500...and you don't get the CD. Haha.

That's the problem I have with this whole set-up. The thing I want the most and AM WILLING to pay for the actual physical CD is always tied up in the wacky incentives structure a lot of these bands have put forth. Just give me the option of a disc and not all that tiered non-sense. More power to them if it works, but for me kickstarter is a non-starter.

Eyesore wrote:

I love how you only get the CD if you pledge certain amounts of money. Pledge $3,500...and you don't get the CD. Haha.

For $3500 they'll come to your house and play the new album for you live in your backyard.

Fat Freddy wrote:

Eyesore wrote:

I love how you only get the CD if you pledge certain amounts of money. Pledge $3,500...and you don't get the CD. Haha.

For $3500 they'll come to your house and play the new album for you live in your backyard.

Hopefully they aged well (some women do, some don't), otherwise it wouldn't be quite worth it.

Eyesore wrote:

I love how you only get the CD if you pledge certain amounts of money. Pledge $3,500...and you don't get the CD. Haha.

That's insane...for the $3500 pledge, you get a signed guitar and two downloads? Lame...

Quote :

$2500 Pledge

- Date Night with Vixen - You and a guest, plus PIZZA and BEER at the Rainbow Bar & Grill on the original Sunset Strip with all four of the Vixen foxes! You must pay all your own travel expenses. We'll also give you advance digital download of (1) the new album (2) "Live in Sweden" album, and (3) "Vixen Live in Sweden" full concert video, prior to the street date.

HAHA!! Pay us $2500, then pay your own way to California, we'll by you a pizza and give you DOWNLOADS....HAHA!!