Crowdfunding Campaigns of the Week: Sammy Brue and Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas

According to a recent report, 2016 was the year in which streaming overtook both digital downloads and physical media to become the dominant way for fans to consume music. While change is inevitable and the same article notes that payouts on streams have increased, they are still minuscule compared to the payout for physical or download media. This makes crowdfunding and direct-to-fan sites like Kickstarter and PledgeMusic even more important. These sites not only allow independent artists to fund their new projects without a label, they offer artists of all popularity levels an opportunity to add unique merchandise, updates, and experiences to their site, increasing the incentive to purchase rather than stream their product. Each week, I’ll bring you some of the best new roots-orients campaigns on these sites. This week, I’ve got two young artists who are burning up the scene in Utah native Sammy Brue and Detroit’s Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas.

Sammy Brue- I Am Nice

I devote a lot of time in this space to writing about young artists. But 15 year old Sammy Brue is the youngest I’ve ever put into this column. But, even at 15, Brue is a veteran of the music business, having been gigging around the Americana scene for several years now. Now Brue has signed with New West Records and is preparing for a June release of his album I Am Nice. Working with producer Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes, John Paul White), Brue’s twelve-song album promises to further develop the young star’s strong songwriting and guitar skills. Backer rewards include a signed copy of the album on either CD or vinyl, a mix tape (an actual mix tape, on cassette!) created by Brue, and the Sammy Brue Record Club, which will include not only a vinyl copy of I Am Nice, but five more vinyl records chosen by Brue.

Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas- Telephone/Telefono

Despite what their band name might lead you to believe, Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas are neither from Mississippi or a blues band. But these Detroit natives do represent their own home and culture well with their mix of soul, rock, and pop, as well as some Latin influences from Hernandez’s own Mexican/Cuban background. Wherever they pull their influences from, it makes for great listening and Jessica Hernandez & the Deltas have rapidly become festival favorites with their dynamic stage presence. For their new album, Telephone/Telefono, the band is going bi-lingual, releasing both an English and a Spanish language version of the album. Backer rewards include a special fan ‘zine created for the album’s release, postcards from Hernandez from the road, and a custom voicemail or happy birthday message.