Crowdfunding Campaigns of the Week: Nikki Lane and Hurray for the Riff Raff

In the current economic landscape of music, album sales are flagging. Streaming sites and downloads allowing fans to grab just the album’s single have made the long form play almost a lost art. Much has been made about crowdfunding sites’ ability to allow independent artists to skip the label system and seek money for their new projects directly from fans. But increasingly, crowdfunding sites are being used by established artists with a “pre-order” rather than “raise funds” link. This not only gets a full album into the hands of the artist’s supporters, but sweetens the pot to buy the full album with promises of behind the scenes updates and extras. Every week, I comb through the major crowdfunding sites to bring you new roots-oriented campaigns that might be of interest. Think your band’s campaign deserves a feature? Send me an e-mail with a link to your campaign, a picture, and a way to hear some of your previous music. I’ll pick my favorites for inclusion here.

Hurray for the Riff Raff- The Navigator

The brain child of New Orleans native Alynda Segarra, Hurray for the Riff Raff’s swampy blues rock has found both critical and commercial success since their debut. Now they are returning in March with the follow up to their 2014 chart Billboard Heatseeker charting Small Town Heroes, called The Navigator. They have already released their first single, “Rican Beach.” Backer rewards include a chance to catch Alynda Segarra at an intimate show in New Orleans or New York, which will include an opportunity to hear the new album a month early and see art collages inspired the the story. Other rewards include a satin jacket and an autographed vinyl copy of the album.

Nikki Lane- Highway Queen

Nikki Lane is a 2015 Americana Music Association Emerging Artist nominee and a fixture in Nashville’s Americana scene. Evoking a ’60s sound that has drawn favorable comparisons to Wanda Jackson and lyrics that put her firmly in the company of the outlaws, Lane’s first two albums established her in the scene and now she is ready to take the next step with Highway Queen, coming in February. Backer rewards include a Crosley Chalkboard Cruiser, hand painted by Lane and including Highway Queen on vinyl, a signed cassette copy of the album for those who have already passed the vinyl revolution, and a signed limited edition shirt.