Brooklyn’s favourite bar band, The Hold Steady, have jumped on the crowdfunding bandwagon, turning to Pledge Music to fund the recording on a new covers EP and to create a “new and improved” version of their fan club, with incentives including haircuts and pep talks from the band.
The band have stated that a portion of every pledge will be donated to the K+L Guardian Foundation, in order to help the band’s late friend and biggest fan, Jersey Mike, who ran the group’s fan club, The Unified Scene, as well as handling message board administration duties.
At the time writing, the band have already hit 125% of their target, which Pledge Music does not make public. Everyone who makes a pledge receives a copy of the new record as well as automatic membership in The Unified Scene, which bears incentives such as exclusive music and pre-sales.
However, while pledging $31 will nab you a copy of the vinyl EP and laminate, a $100+ donation will see your name added to the liner notes of the record. A donation of $167 will earn you a haircut from guitarist Tad Kubler, and pledging $250 will see you enjoying a six-pack with the band.
Other pledge prizes include a personal phone call from the band, a jogging session with frontman and respected rock bard Craig Finn, a ‘Stay Positive’ pep talk, a musical tour of Memphis, a session of bar-tending with bassist Galen Polivka, or a personal live set for $15,017.
The Hold Steady Pledge Music Statement
Join us in the making of our new EP and unlock access to exclusive updates & more, all in honor of #JerseyMike!
Hey everyone,
A few years back, some of our biggest and most dedicated fans created an organization called The Unified Scene. We have seen members of The Unified Scene at our shows all over the world and it’s flattering and exciting to see the community that they created.
One of the best know, most motivated and most vocal members of The Unified Scene was Mike Van Jura, or as he’s better known, “Jersey Mike”. Mike was the unofficial leader of The Unified Scene and handled a lot of internet and message board duties for us just as a function of his fandom.
Unfortunately, Jersey Mike passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in November 2012. Like many members of our audience, Mike had crossed from being a fan of the band to a real friend. All the members of the Hold Steady and The Unified Scene felt the loss immensely. We miss him.
The Hold Steady has always been about community and inclusiveness. As we often say at the end of our shows, “We are all The Hold Steady”. We believe that.
With a new record coming out in 2014, we want to work with our fans to create a new and improved version of The Unified Scene. We want you to join us. By pledging, you will join The Unified Scene fan club, where you will get insider access, exclusive music, members-only content, pre-sale ticket opportunities and more.
For starters, we are recording a 5 song covers EP…..right now! This will be released on 12” vinyl (with download code) sometime in 2014. This will only be available to members of The Unified Scene. By pledging, you will also unlock access to updates and clues to what songs we are covering and scenes from the sessions.
Furthermore, we are offering some other exclusive incentives such as hand written lyrics, pep talks, private interactions with The Hold Steady, and much more. With the holidays coming up, these could also be great gifts for a THS fan in your life.
And don’t worry…..we’ll be adding even more packages in the coming days and weeks.
A portion of every pledge will be donated to the K+L Guardian Foundation to remember a great fan and friend, and to help the two young children he left behind.
We are looking forward to sharing our new record with you early next year and hope you will pledge to join The Unified Scene and become a part of something we are very excited about. And remember, we are ALL The Hold Steady.
Stay Positive!
THS
Note – every pledge includes a digital download of the EP, which will be sent when its ready
