Allegaeon recently put out a new album, and followed up said album with a Patreon campaign. For those unaware, Patreon is a website where artists can pretty much ask people for monthly donations in order to keep themselves afloat. I'm not here to tell anyone what to do with their career, but the way Allegaeon worded its Patreon account really rubbed me the wrong way.
Basically, the band is saying that if fans don't donate money, they can't afford to stay together and would be forced to break up. Which wouldn't be great, because I like what Allegaeon does, but I'm of the persuasion that I really shouldn't have to shell out extra money per month so some band can continue doing what they love. Some fans feel that this amounts to begging. The fans already buy the records, and now the band wants more cash? Of course, the other side of the argument is this is nothing different than a fan club membership, with perks just as webcamming with the band, made for fans who want a little something extra. And if you don't feel like donating, nobody is forcing you to.
White Lung frontwoman Mish Barber-Way feels like this is begging and she is pissed. Here's what she had to say via CLRVYNT. Do you agree with her? Or is this completely unwarranted? I think she makes some good points, though the way she worded the whole letter was a bit immature. Here is the crux of her long schpiel:
Your begging video was a complete joke. As I listened to your “TM” [tour manager] spout off all the money you owed (over $8,700), I was shaking my head. If you were a small business, you would fold. I listened to your tour expenses, and you guys are such morons. You are paying people you don’t even need. First off, management. If your manager was doing his job, you wouldn’t be in this position. Fire him. Two, a driver? Can none of you drive? [..]
What makes you think you are entitled to our money and pity? Why should I spend my hard earned money to help you when your misfortune is by choice, not chance? I’m seriously asking. [..]
Surely in your years of the music industry, you can’t weasel your know-how connections into a more challenging and well paying position? Are you too “busy” booking tours and juggling the books to work? Appears not. Most men your age have families to provide for, not guitars to buy. Grow up. [..]
I have to go. I caught a 7am flight to Minneapolis to transfer to Iowa City to play a festival, then fly back to Austin, Texas for another. I leave that night and land in my home of LA that morning to and go straight back to my job as an account executive. I’ve got shit to do and it doesn’t include begging my “fans” for money. Don’t try to even fake that sitting in a van all day is hard. Day time on tour is a fucking nap.
She goes on to call the band dickless and “officially the laziest, most pathetic, sub-human beta males in America,” which seems like it's pushing it.
I feel the lesson learned here for bands is that you can't just say "look we're broke, give us money," because such a statement creates a backlash. Everybody's broke. If the band just presented the Paetreon as additional VIP perks for superfans of the band, I doubt anybody would scoff at it. But because they literally starting their Paetron video with "we need money" followed by awkward laughter, it doesn't exactly come off as professional. Instead of being so frank with their audience, they should've tried to put a little more spin on it.
Maybe all this negative publicity is working out for the band because as of this writing their fans are pledging $3,202 a month.
