Music for Money

[Originally posted July 14, 2008]

Ever wanted to hear your name on record? In a comedic/metal track no less? Well, now is your chance.

Now, I don’t know who the band Psychostick is (apparently they do a song about beer?), but they raise an interesting issue. According to a press release, the band plans to help fund their recording time by soliciting donations from fans in the amount of $50 and, in return, will mention the fans by name in a song, working titled “400 Thank Yous,” to appear on said album.

This video can explain it a little better than I can:



So for anyone hankerin’ to get their name on disc, Psychostick are accepting donations through September 30. Businesses can also get in on the action for $250, and their website is keeping track of all the action.

While name dropping everything from Courvoisier to cars in popular tunes is anything but new, Psychostick is the first underground act that I’ve heard of to do so. Granted the money will be used simply for recording expenses (which, I doubt was Kanye West’s motivation), it follows this unsettling industry trend.

Music is commerce, sure, but it’s also an art form. Although I can completely understand why Psychostick has made this decision—despite popular opinion, most of the bands I’ve spoken with <i>are<i> incredibly poor—I can’t say I’m always in favor of it. Psychostick at least scores some points for being upfront about their dealings, and asking for their fans to take part. Artists namedrop for a reason, and it’s a big fat dollar-sign. Anyone who thinks otherwise is simply naive.