Our Mission at Wicked Cool Music
To create a growth engine for the underground music community by offering a path through the gray areas of the industry that seems to paralyze even the most talented artist into playing small.
Alexx, age 16 in his 3rd bandEveryone knows a musician. This is our eldest son, Alexx, who (in high school) announced that he would barely graduate because he was going to be a professional drummer. He spent almost all his time practicing and networking with his peers. Seeing entrepreneurship in his decision, we began to research the music industry to find a path forward.
We are here to support DIY artists, agents and managers, even if you are just a parent helping your musical child get organized. Because we get that!
The Catch-22
Creative types are not the best business people, given that there is little to no guidance nor are tools to help manage themselves as professionals. Yet these same startup acts must prove themselves to be revenue-generating, hard-touring business people before a manager or booking agent will take them on, which can be the key to better gigs and more money. That's the catch!
Artists, in general, are more focused on self-expression and birthing their creative works, than on the drudgery that provides food, shelter and that never-ending supply of drumsticks. This includes organization, planning, communication, promotion, touring and managing money. That's why they need business people on their team.
Google Sheets are the norm (eww)
This is the only tool available to a self-managed musician.
Spreadsheets are 2-dimensional, humans are not.
We've crushed those limitations with a data-driven app.
The Times They Are A-Changing
Our research has uncovered a positive trend regarding independent musicians: they are increasing in both number and their ability to generate revenue.
The global recorded music business generated wholesale revenues of USD $17.4bn in 2017 – up 8.5% year-on-year.
Underground music platforms are flourishing
In 2017, bandcamp.com alone reported 1.39 million artists on their self-release music platform with over 500 new artists daily (this is our demographic).
This trend means that we are poised to be part of a truly unique revolution in the music industry, one in which a little business savvy and organization can make the difference in getting to the next level of their careers.
The Grenon Band (high school students who are turning pro) on the Community Stage at Harmonium Fest 4
Introducing Underground Overdrive™
Our subscription service allows an act, band manager or booking agent to manage as many or as few gig negotiations as they wish, add and assign tasks to other team members and track revenue for every gig.
We’ve invented a killer web app for the artist who knows they need to get their act together in order to succeed. We aren’t reinventing the wheel, we’re the new hub that makes it go faster.
Our product allows a creative type to transform the uncoolness of required business chores into manageable steps to success. We believe that our special sauce can infuse confidence into your musical life. Delphine™ will ask questions about your workflow, your digital assets, and more importantly, your goals, while offering suggestions and reminders as you progress.
You won't even realize how pro you are until you show someone your next gig on your phone... then send them the details. Just like that.
This is our mobile view of a Gig in which you have instant access to important information.
- You are one click away from contacting the venue, getting directions and where to park, and finding nearby lodging.
- You can see the local weather, times for sound check, who to speak with at the venue and more. So much more.
Welcome to the virtual business manager
specifically designed for DIY performing artists.
We Need Your Help
We are finishing up Alpha Loft's Accelerate NH 2019 cohort with the NH Tech Alliance.
We have bootstrapped this as a side project for almost 3 years without asking for any monetary help from anyone. At this juncture, we are about to launch and making some great offers for folks to raise the last bit of funds to finish building this road to success - one that has BIG signs pointing our customers in the right direction. There is a formula, and we intend to infuse our platform with its intelligence through Delphine™.
solo version of Haunt the House at Harmonium Fest 4
These funds will be used for growing the business through targeted marketing and setting up experienced musicians to be able to assist newer artists when they have extra time.
Our Team is Family
My co-founder, Mike Morrison, is also my husband of 20 years (this May 15th). We have worked on 5 tech startups together and have been in software development since the early 90's, but this is the first we have worked from the ground up, as a duo.
We found a variety of ways to make a career in the music industry. It's been years of research, trial and error. As a business analyst, I look for custom solutions to specific technical problems. So, believe me when I say, there was no magic guide nor online tools for someone like Alexx to succeed. After being aggravated at this inconvenience, Mike and I realized that we were more than just qualified to create a solution, we were inspired to take action.
my boys at Harmonium 2 (Mike, Alexx, Declan and Maxx)
Let me clarify how we roll.
When Mike and I were building our house, we didn’t know all the real estate rules of engagement, so we became licensed Realtors. When the time came to dig into the music industry, we didn’t just read books, we started a few side hustles:
- became a band manager and booking agent;
- then a music publisher with ASCAP;
- created a live music venue with a killer music series that ran for 8 years, engaging our community;
- and produced a small music festival for 4 years (Harmonium).
All the while, dealing with promoters, agents, managers and venues and learning the game from both sides of the table.
Rabbit in the Rye (plus the stragglers) day after The Big Room show and sleepover because they drove 7 hours to play for us
By default, we had immersed ourselves into the network of musicians that came in and out of our lives, asking the same questions of those who had “made it” to the next level and those who still struggled for a sustainable career, and we heard the same pain points over and over again.
Success comes down to this:
building confidence
through organization,
sharing the work and
efficiently learning the game through experience.
Underground Overdrive™ will guide them wherever they want to go.
Will Dailey at Harmonium Fest 3
We'd Also LOVE Your Help ∞
A long time ago, we realized that knowing a musician is closer than 2 degrees for most people. If that is the case for you, please support our cause by gifting a Gig Pack, sporting our logo or sharing this with anyone who could use our platform.
Thank you,
Nani
p.s.
We believe in supporting local art as much as possible, so our tees are hand-pulled with love by this guy who does it for a living.
artist, Cole Gove, owner of T-Shirt Beardo