Hey guys, I've just had an idea which I think is really good. I'd be really keen to get your feedback.
Here goes...
With regards to getting proper, professional quality CD's produced and printed, have you considered the possibility of getting some form of sponsorship/collaboration from a company?
ie. We get
someone else to pay for the cost of production!
I've seen stuff like this happen all of the time - all we have to do is come up with a sound and professional proposal. Something along the lines of this:
In exchange for paying for the costs for the manufacture of the CD's, the sponsor company gets to have their logo on the back of the packaging. They get the associated credibility of being connected to a fresh, new musical movement.
Obviously, the sponsor would be a company that is youth-based - ie. a street clothing brand or something similar. I remember seeing a few companies that would include a similar type of CD with their T-shirts (Ecko and Nique have done this, along with others) If you look on the back of any Paradox Music albums, he's obviously got some sort of arrangement with companies like Firetrap and Acupuncture. The logos aren't even that big! My point is, that there are young companies that would beleive in and be very interested in such a project.
As an added bonus, If the company
was to include the CD with clothing sold, it could mean a great deal of exposure for this forum, and indeed for dubstep worldwide. It could really give the scene a boost! We could strike a deal where the company gets a portion of the CD's for their own promotional usage. (and therefore they are in essence doing our distribution for us, too!)
If we have the tracks and artwork all ready to go, and make a prepared, professional proposal then this could be quite easy to do. And guys, I speak from experience - I've put on small events that were paid for entirely by sponsorship by clothing companies. Actually, I've also been involved in the launch of a 12" that was entirely paid for by a streetware company.
Anyway, that is the basic core of the idea - obviously there would be a lot of details to be considered if we were to do this - but I thought I'd suggest it, just to get everyones opinions.
I know some people are going to be weary of any "corporate" involvement in this project, too. Some people would prefer that we did it all by ourself. But I think that the idea has a lot of merit and is entirely possible.
By whatever means - let make this happen!!!
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on my idea...