Music / bandista
New crowdfunding platform to help artists break into music industry
A new crowdfunding platform has been set up to help up-and-coming artists in Bristol get into the music industry.
Bandista has been founded by friends Dave Rutledge, Jack Ryan and Ed-Strode Willis, who live in the city and share a love for the local music scene.
“Our aim is to create a new type of crowdfunding model to help emerging artists during, and post, pandemic,” explains Dave.
“By simplifying the traditional ideas of crowdfunding, we want to keep artists focused on what matters: the music.”
There are currently seven artists involved with Bandista, including blues musician melvy. as well as hip hop and grime rapper Dash Villz.
The rising stars want funding for a variety of projects, such as buying equipment to produce professional recordings and releasing their first EP.
Bandista has been set up by friends Dave Rutledge, Jack Ryan and Ed-Strode Willis. Photo by Liza, Got Your Shot Film
Dave, who lives in Southville, adds that the idea for Bandista came about during lockdown last year.
He says: “Spurred on by the negative impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we became increasingly aware of the fallout for artists and venues.
“We constantly heard news of artists not being able to record, festivals being cancelled and the loss of any platform for aspiring and emerging artists on the cusp of breaking through.
“Our loss, everyone’s loss, gave us a real fire in our bellies to do something different to try and help the music of Bristol and beyond.”
The crowdfunding platform has been set up to help the next generation of artists break into the music industry. Photo by Liza, Got Your Shot Film
A launch event for Bandista was recently held at the Jam Jar, which saw performances from some of the musicians that the platform is supporting.
More music events like this are planned for the future, with proceeds from them going towards furthering the careers of the artists on Bandista’s roster.
Main photo by Liza, Got Your Shot Film
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