CROWDFUNDING RADAR: Biscuit Recipes, Tattoos, and Other Unique Backer Perks

Most crowdfunding campaigns follow a tried-and-true formula for perks. They offer the album, of course, in various formats. But most also offer standard merch booth fare like T-shirts, hats, and koozies, with some personalized items like handwritten notes and lyric sheets thrown in. But occasionally you find a crowdfunder who comes completely out of left field with something unique. I’ve seen everything from fishing trips with the band to guided tours of the band’s home city. This month, I’ve got three campaigns that feature their own unique spin on backer perks.

India Ramey – Baptized by the Blaze (click here to view campaign)
I was lucky enough to catch India Ramey at the Femme Noir showcase at AmericanaFest 2023. The event was fittingly named for Ramey’s music, which blends traditional country, Southern gothic, and what I can only call “honky tonk noir” into something all her own. Now Ramey’s running a $25,000 flexible goal campaign on Indiegogo for her forthcoming album, Baptized by the Blaze. She’s working with producer Luke Wooten (The Steeldrivers, Dierks Bentley) on this one and, from the title track that was recently released, it sounds like she’s ramping up the noir elements of her sound. Ramey’s unique backer perk is also by far the cheapest of the bunch. At the $5 pledge level, you will get Ramey’s secret biscuit recipe. She calls herself the “Biscuit Queen,” and with that title, they better be good. Other backer perks include the album in signed vinyl and CD formats, a photo book with pictures from the studio, boots handpainted by Ramey, and a house concert that also features a “biscuit brunch” from the Biscuit Queen herself.

Natterjack – New Album (click here to view campaign)
The contra dance community tends to be a fairly traditional one, not surprising considering their dedication to an old form of dance and music. So when I came across Natterjack, an all-trans contra dance band, I knew I had to check them out. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Natterjack has been around since 2022 and drawing crowds at contra dance halls across the region. Now they’re ready to put some of those songs down on a record and are running a modest $2,500 Kickstarter campaign to fund their self-produced debut. This campaign has probably the most unique backer perk I’ve seen in all my years of doing this. At the $500 pledge level, you can have band member Ezra Jane give you a tattoo. Not to worry. The band promises they are an “accomplished tattoo artist.” If you aren’t quite ready to make your relationship with Natterjack that permanent, you can also get the album in digital and CD formats, music lessons from any member of the trio, an original song, or original artwork.

Emily Keating – Fall Tour 2024 (click here to view campaign)
Most crowdfunding is for new albums, but occasionally an artist will point their crowdfunding power toward a tour. This is unsurprising considering that the gas, hotels, and food needed to sustain a tour often cost more than an album. Keating’s new album, No Drama Club, has been releasing all year as a series of singles and now she’s is ready to hit the road with a tour of the East Coast to support it. To fund her first major tour, Keating is raising $15,000 on Kickstarter, with a number of backer perks available. The unique perk here is the chance to join Keating onstage at one of her shows to help sing a song of your choice (original or cover). I’ve seen plenty of meet and greet opportunities at shows and even dinner with the artist beforehand, but this is the first time I’ve seen the chance to be in the band for one song. Other perks include a voice note of an improvised melody, a video of a cover of your choosing, a vocal lesson, and a house concert.