Asperity records is a progressive record label that operates as a subscription service for fans to directly connect to their favorite artists and allow them to obtain exclusive access to music and other types of content for a small monthly fee. Fans get the advantage of personal and exclusive involvement with their favorite musicians, while the bands benefit from the service by being able to take
advantage of 3rd party management that funnels fans to them, but still leaves the bands in the control seat by allowing them to maintain the rights to their music and choose what content they release. Secondarily, we annually organize and hold the Pittsburgh Rock Music Awards ceremony in effort to promote the Pittsburgh music scene and facilitate community involvement and inter-connect local artists in a positive and uplifting way. While we don’t have all of the answers, it is undeniable that the music industry is undergoing massive change, and bands are unsure of what to do with this new world of digital distribution. The old ways of marketing, promotion, and monetization are still important, but social media is becoming more and more of a part of the way that artists connect with fans. For example, labels are recognizing the fact that album sales are down, but the music industry in general is still profiting, just in different way. Its becoming simpler for bands to promote themselves without the corporate backed distribution, yet DIY bands still lack the funds and audience to truly build beyond an underground level. We’ll be taking the best ideas from other industries that have already dealt with this kind of change in a way that relates to the music industry.
