I want to invite you to become a Patron of Iron Man Records. Since I started the record label 22 years ago, times have changed and it is becoming harder and harder to assemble enough money to make new releases possible. 61 Patrons currently support the record label. Iron Man Records wants to make all new record releases available on Vinyl. You are invited to become a Patron. Your help will ensure the insanity continues.
The journey from 1996, when Iron Man Records began, has been back-breaking. The record label has generated a mountain of debt and a serious Class “A” drug habit would have probably worked out cheaper. Everything I earn, working as a Tour Manager, goes into keeping Iron Man Records moving.
Iron Man Records continues to release records by some of the most interesting and talented artists, writers, and musicians. There has to be something that opposes the “reality” that we are surrounded by every day. I don’t expect you to like everything the record label releases, but at least you have a choice. To date the record label has generated 36 releases.
Musicians have to take time to write, go to band practice, pay for rehearsals, record their music, and work out a way to release their music. Many musicians have to plan and finance the costs of touring to promote their music by themselves. Musicians also need to eat and have a roof over their head, and I do too. It’s tough for musicians and artists to do what they want to do. Many have to fight depression, mental health issues, a lack of self worth, and all sorts of other problems as standard. You have to be quite mad to carry on.
I want to return to making every release on Iron Man Records available on Vinyl, as well as via streaming, downloads and on CD. It’s madness in the current economic climate, but a little bit of madness is just what is required.
I’m not asking you to pay for everything, nor am I asking anyone to pay me to run Iron Man Records, I can look after all that myself. What I want to do is invite people to contribute to reducing the costs of producing albums on Vinyl in exchange for a number of rewards to make it all worth while.
Patrons will get a copy of everything the label produces, as it becomes available. Patrons will have their name printed inside the sleeve of the next record release. Patrons can send anything from the label or the store to a friend. Patrons will also get access to digital files of anything on request, so you can listen on portable electronic devices, and you will get all sorts of other benefits. For example: free stuff from the Iron Man store, stickers, email updates, free tickets, and whatever else I can think up as I go along. There is method to the madness, all you have to do is join in.
If you want to support struggling musicians who are up against it on a daily basis, then please offer your support to the cause.
I have put a page together on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ironmanrecords which appears to be an interesting way to raise money. This will help produce Vinyl in small quantities and to the highest standards. Patreon lets you make recurring monthly donations and helps to reduce the upfront costs of producing music on vinyl. Anything from £1 or $1 a month is actually really helpful, it’s less than the price of a cup of coffee.
Iron Man Records is not in the pop business. The Label’s debts are what it’s worth. The label is trying hard, during a tough time in the history of recorded music, to help musicians and artists develop a sustainable future. To me, the simple way to do that, is to give the bands and artists a fantastic record to sell, both online and offline.
Iron Man Records wants to create Vinyl, something special, something that presents music in a format that people want to keep and enjoy. Life isn’t just about computers, mobile phones and social networking. There has to be an alternative. So if you want to join in and Burn Money, become a Patron and let’s make something happen.
“If you want a different world, you have to make it, through your actions.” – John Sinclair
cheers
Mark – Tour Management, Record Label, Music Promotion
