If you are interested in the following program, please email todd@adifferentdrum.com and let me know!
Introducing the new VIP Subscription Program for A Different Drum!
This new plan is currently being explored as a way to keep the new music flowing in physical, CD format from A Different Drum’s label. It does not affect the online store which sells fun imports and independent releases– everything will continue as normal in the store.
This new program is presented as a way to keep the avid CD collectors happy, with new synthpop / electronic pop music from established artists as well as new artists! The way this program works is very unique, so please read carefully to see if you would be interested in subscribing! At this point, I only need to know if you are interested– simply reply to this email and let me know how many subscriptions you would likely desire. ( email to: todd@adifferentdrum.com ) If there are enough serious CD collectors who want a steady stream of new music, then this program will be launched. If not…then A Different Drum’s label functions will remain minimal.
THE VIP PROGRAM:
As a VIP subscriber, you would pay $10 per month ($12 for overseas) for one CD release per month (automatically billed at the end of the month). You would be helping to fund a steady stream of new releases through your subscription, and in return, you would be one of 200 - 300 people in the entire world to receive the CD release! Yes, ONLY the VIP’s and the band would receive the physical CD, and it would be instantly out-of-print!
Your one new release per month would include new music from established artists– music which would otherwise only be released as digital downloads. Plus the releases would include some completely new artists who are being introduced to the market for the first time. Plus we hope to include some special rarities.
Let the download fans buy their iTunes, but if you are a CD collector, this program guarantees that you’ll have a very limited, and very fun, tangible product, every month! Nobody else in the world would have it!
That’s right, we would manufacture 300 CD’s TOTAL. 100 of those CD’s would be delivered to the band so they can use them however they see fit (sold at shows or whatever). The other 200 CD’s would be instantly shipped to the VIP’s only! Then it’s over. Sold-out. Done. Every release is a limited release, and only the people who are funding this new music through their subscription will have the physical product. Basically, if you are a VIP, then you’re helping to keep the physical CD format alive in the music scene that you love, so you should be the one who takes the prize!
BENEFITS:
–> New music every month in a collectible, CD format for a low $10 price!
–> Subscribe as many times as you want, if you desire multiple copies for future use.
–> VIP CD’s will not be physically sold in other major stores, even Amazon.com (only listed to make other shoppers envious).
–> VIP CD’s will not be sold on A Different Drum’s website after VIP delivery.
–> VIP’s will be given access to subscriber-only content such as remix files and bonus tracks.
–> VIP’s can recommend future releases because they are funding the product.
COST:
Only $10 per month per VIP subscription for USA / Canada / Mexico. $12 per month for other countries because of higher postage costs. Payment will be set up for automatic monthly billing through Paypal (uses credit card, bank account, or Paypal balance).
PRODUCT AND DELIVERY:
The VIP CD’s will be packaged in nice cardboard sleeves with full design. This way they will look great, but also remain inexpensive for shipping, since the delivery is included in the subscription price. The design will clearly display that the release is limited to 300 units worldwide and that it is a VIP release.
WILL IT GROW?
Honestly, I hope the demand grows. However, subscriptions are limited to 200 for now. Only when there is a large enough demand will we consider increasing the quantity. This is a small, special club of supporters. I hope enough of you like the idea to get it started! Please reply to this email if you are interested. If enough of you want the goods, then I’ll set up a subscription form for you.
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
-Todd
OK, I’ve had a few questions about the program which I should have clarified in the original outline. Here are some answers:
Question: Are all the releases going to be full albums?
Answer: MOST of the releases will be full albums, though I also imagine some remix collections and EP’s. I hope the ratio is 3 albums for every EP / remix collection. I do NOT plan on releasing CD singles which only feature 1-5 tracks since that isn’t as much “bang for your buck”.
Question: Will some of the CD’s be compilations?
Answer: Right now I don’t plan to include compilations, since I consider the entire digital download market to be one giant compilation. However, if the subscribers want them, then we’ll do it. VIP’s get what they want, since they’re paying.
Question: Can a VIP unsubscribe, or is there a fixed period (like a 1-year requirement)?
Answer: I figure that a person can unsubscribe whenever they want, but I have problems letting them right back in a month later. Why? Because that would suggest that people can jump in and out of the program based on what releases are coming, and that isn’t the point. That’s the same as shopping a store, which you can already do. We want you in for a long time, but understand if you can’t afford it anymore and need to leave. So, please plan to stick around for as long as we can keep putting out cool, new music.
Question: What if I don’t like one of the releases?
Answer: Music is that way– you like some songs and artists better than others. I can’t guarantee you’ll like every CD the same. Personal tastes always come into play. This program helps all kinds of bands in our scene keep releasing music, and that’s good for everybody. So, I hope you’ll at least give everything a chance, understanding that some releases may shine more than others when it comes to your tastes. I like what one reply said: “I suppose I can always sell any CD I don’t like.” Yes, that’s true. If you don’t like it, you may even be able to turn it into a small profit if you hold out long enough
Question: Will A Different Drum release other, non-VIP CD’s?
Answer: Yes, maybe. For example, there may be an artist release coming up that would not be a good fit for the VIP program simply because they traditionally sell a lot of CD’s through stores. An example would be a CD by The Echoing Green. It would not help the band to limit their CD to 300 units when their biggest outlets have been through other stores where they sell a lot of music. So, I’m just saying, there may still be very few releases that come out in the regular store, the regular way. However, those will NOT replace the monthly VIP releases. VIP’s will ALWAYS get a limited release, every month.
Question: Are there already some release in mind?
Answer: Yes. I won’t say too much because I’m not finalizing any release agreements until the program is a “go”. I won’t start making the line-up until we have enough subscribers.
Interested in subscribing? Email me and let me know!
-Todd
Comment by Todd — July 30, 2010 @ 12:22 pm
I am very interested
Comment by john bambury — August 3, 2010 @ 1:09 pm
If you are interested in subscribing, then please email todd@adifferentdrum.com with a note to say you’d like to be notified when subscriptions begin. Then you won’t miss out.
Also, in reply to another question I’ve received–these CD releases will be factory replicated CD’s (pressed). They will NOT be CDR releases. They will be high quality
-Todd
Comment by Todd — August 3, 2010 @ 1:17 pm
Additionally to this package I would suggest selling your cds at distributors pricing level. For that I am sure people would be willing to pay an extra 15 $. You buy a cd from Cop at 8 $ and you sell it to your subscribers at the same price well if they are subscribed. Stormingthebase and Metropolis is way too overpriced.
Comment by Chris — August 4, 2010 @ 8:09 pm
Of course I’m interested, Todd — I purchase CD’s from this site regularly! ;-0
Comment by ALBERT MALAVE' — August 10, 2010 @ 5:03 pm
Unfortunately this is what it has come to for real music fans to keep buying CD’s. I see why you are doing it but at the same time, why should we have to commit to buying CD’s we don’t want just to wait for new material for someone like Neuroactive??
I’m disappointed. The downloaders have ruined music for everyone. I hope everyone who stores 1000’s of songs/albums on their IPOD forgets to back them up and loses all of their nifty MP3 shitty quality sounding tunes. Nothing beats a physical CD as a backup!!! Sorry for bitching!!!
Comment by Keith Szafran — August 10, 2010 @ 9:31 pm
DEFINITELY interested in ANYTHING that keeps the flow of pressed CDs alive.
All these bands that keep releasing stuff through their websites/fan clubs/whatever (Blank & Jones, BT, Information Society, KMFDM, Vanessa Daou) FAIL to realize that these MP3s sound like GARBAGE on high end systems. Pressed CDs will ALWAYS be my preference.
Personally I find paying for digital only stuff OFFENSIVE, and I do NOT do it. I cannot bring myself to repurchase albums I already have CDs of to garner the couple of digital only/”full album purchase” only (!!) bonus tracks (I’m looking at YOU Ms. Daou!!!!!! RRRRRR…longtime fan with no “Daouhaus” CD?!?!?!)
As a result, I suggest this “VIP” program be restricted to physical CD/PROPER MASTERING releases of whatever was previously “digital only”. This does NOT mean just converting the MP3s to WAV and burning, either, mind you! All tracks are top quality when originally mastered…I want burns of THAT stuff, not the frequency-impaired stuff that I can burn myself.
Having CDs that are considered ‘exclusive’ I don’t think is such a nice idea, although I understand a bit of the thinking behind it. Ms. Daou did this with “Plutonium Glow”, only to have it later released in the “Screw The People Who Bought The “Exclusive” Edition” edition….see where ‘exclusive’ CDs get you in trouble? They are near invariably re-pressed. I have TWO copies of “Plutonium Glow”, of course, because it was issued with two different track listings, and YES I think I got screwed as a fan.
Having “exclusive”, properly mastered CDs of this digital only nonsense IS something I would pay for. If KMFDM issued a monthly roundup of all the previously ‘digital only’ stuff, would I be in? YES. If Blank & Jones started issuing CDs of their previously ‘digital only’ stuff, would I be in? YES. If Ms. Daou would pull her head out of The Long Tunnel and get “Daouhaus” on CD and start issuing monthly stuff on CD via subscription, would I be in? YES. Information Society’s “Modulator” CD? Yes, please. Add the Live show too.
See what I’m driving at here? The ‘monthly roundup’ is the way for me. I don’t want to have to monitor every band’s website….too many, would turn into a full time job. Getting a ‘monthly roundup’ in the mail, maybe an intel sheet stuffed in it? PRICELESS. [BTW, only reason I'm here today is because I had the good fortune of shagging a "Synthpop Club Anthems 2" off eBay for $10 shipped....DIGGING IT for the most part, so I decided I'm come see what TD and company are up to
]
This thinking can be extended, as well…..the Neuroactive guy has a point. Why restrict the disc to one band? You can say, “OK, Neuro put out this track digitally, BM put out this, TEG put out this….collect 10-15 tracks, get the original masters, make a monthly “A Different Drum Presents….” I’m listening to “Synthpop Club Anthems 2″, and some of it I dig, some I don’t, but I’m pleased as ____ to have it just the same
A monthly drop of what your label is up to in my mailbox (making SURE all digital only nonsense is rounded up)? DONE at $10/month, NP.
To quote the vernacular: “Think about it…..think about it…..think about it.”
Comment by agt_dale_cooper — August 13, 2010 @ 12:48 pm
I love this Idea…. sounds good Todd.
Comment by Mike DJ JEDI — August 14, 2010 @ 4:09 am
Sounds Like a great Plan.. I would be Interested….
Comment by Mike DJ JEDI — August 14, 2010 @ 4:10 am
It would be a good thing also to reissue 80s albums twice a year. Stuff like Iko 83 or Snowy Red would be great.
Anyway, I’ve already wrote the mail.
Comment by Maurizio — August 15, 2010 @ 1:15 pm
I will subscribe as soon as the service is launched.
Comment by Nicholas — August 27, 2010 @ 5:05 pm
Love the idea, but am frustrated with it’s implementation….CDs distributed in sleeves SUCK.
1) Removing the CD/putting it back invariably DAMAGES the CD over time. In a world where you’re trying to COMPETE with burns, having to make a BACKUP of your original disc because it’s packaging sucks is pointless….why not just DL and burn? A burn is a burn…
2) No means of easily identifying the disc when it’s stuffed in with 3000 of it’s brethren. Jewel cases win the day here, as it’s easy to identify what’s inside, your disc is protected, and there is room for sleeve/liner notes. I understand purchasing/shipping jewel cases isn’t the most cost effective thing….deal with it, ship flat, there are always options. Digipaks are also acceptable, as they have READABLE text on the side for filing purposes.
We’re all collectors here; as a collector, I DETEST sleeves/this sort of “packaging” (if it can so be called).
That being said, if CDs in this program continue to be produced in this manner, I will NOT participate. Artists that are worried about filling landfills with plastic, etc. can KISS MY @$$ and try keeping track of 3,000 audio CDs (all the while screaming that “everyone’s a pirate”, I’m sure
). A jewel case is designed to protect the CD that you spent your money on as a collector, and I will not support a program that does not have a collector’s mentality attached 
Just in case I rambled a tad, let me reiterate: “CDs distributed in sleeves SUCK”.
Now that I’ve vented, I’m gonna pop this in (before it gets scratched, mind you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and have a listen
Comment by agt_dale_cooper — September 18, 2010 @ 8:06 pm
Thanks for your opinion on the packaging. As stated above, that is the nature of this program– packaged in cardboard “eco wallet” packaging, which is also becoming more of the mainstream approach. I am currently looking at new releases from major artists which I have purchased: Delphic, Arcade Fire, A Fine Franzy, Muse, all of which are in a variation of the same packing. Cause & Effect’s new EP is in the exact same packaging. The jewel case is going away. That’s just the way the market moves.
Though I personally prefer a jewel case, being a collector myself, I have to approach this program through a business standpoint. I already do not earn any significant profit on a program that charges only $10 per month for a limited edition CD. After production costs and shipping, we simply break even and are able to keep the new releases coming. If I were to ship in jewel cases, I’d be losing money by running this program.
So, if it comes between packaging in jewel cases, or keeping the new releases alive, I chose the latter. If you do not wish to be one of the 300 people in the world to receive the CD’s, then you are welcome to unsubscribe at any time. There are a few anxious fans waiting to subscribe once your spot is vacant.
Thanks for your understanding and support.
-Todd
Comment by Todd — September 20, 2010 @ 4:41 am
Yes, went back and read the original post, does indeed say cardboard…
[Ironically enough, http://www.christopheranton.us site has a jewel case displayed...]
Depressing, but understood. At least you get it, that’s good enough.
I get the financial end of it, so I’ll shut up now, I’ve had my say…
Thanks!!
Comment by agt_dale_cooper — September 21, 2010 @ 3:00 pm