Slicethepie releases first album by a fan-funded band through its site

Slicethepie, the fan-funded music site, is launching the debut album of indie band The Alps. It is the first launch from the site, which offers fans the chance to fund releases from small bands.

Slicethepie claims to turn music fans into part owners of a record label – mimicking the music industry model by “connecting bands in search of funding with music fans keen to scout, break and invest in new artists”.

The site encourages fans to buy a stake in the band for £5. This entitles them to a share in royalties on album sales over a period of two years.

The artists featured on Slicethepie retain copyright on all their works, have no contractual obligations and are free to sign traditional label deals.

Since Slicethepie launched in June 2007 it has attracted 7,000 artists. Any artist with 1,500 or more fans can get finance for their album. The Alps’ is the first to be recorded and released.

The album comes out on March 10 and will be available via digital download, although Slicethepie says it would consider a physical release if there is enough demand.

The website says that the release proves “that Radiohead’s hugely successful self-release experiment can be replicated even by smaller artists, just so long as they have an established and dedicated fanbase”.

Daniel Heptinstall, lead singer of The Alps, says/ “It gives us the best of both worlds. We have complete control over our sound and a direct connection with our fans – the very people who gave us a chance to record this album.”

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