Archspire’s Dean Lamb is openly addressing the fan backlash regarding the band’s decision to utilize Kickstarter crowdfunding for the completion of their upcoming album. In a bid to maintain transparency, the band has detailed the costs associated with the production of the album and Lamb has responded to various complaints concerning the budget allocation.

Understanding Archspire’s Decision to Launch a Kickstarter Campaign

It’s important to recognize that Archspire has successfully released four albums prior to this initiative. So, why did they choose this moment to seek financial support from their fans? According to Lamb, the band has reached a pivotal point in their career, opting to pursue an independent path rather than remaining tied to traditional record labels.

“All that we want to do as a band is continue to create the music that we are passionate about, and connecting with our fans seems like the best way to achieve this independence,” explains the guitarist. “Previously, we relied on a label to provide us with an advance to fund our recordings, which was beneficial, but ultimately it meant relinquishing the rights to the music that we poured our hearts into.”

Lamb emphasizes, “At 37 years old, after dedicating years to this craft, I no longer want to give up the rights to the music I have created. It’s important to me, and to the entire band, that we own our work and maintain control over our artistic output.”

Exploring the Reasons Behind Fan Dissent Regarding the Kickstarter Initiative

Lamb identified two main reasons for the pushback from fans—firstly, the budget breakdown that the band shared for finalizing the record. They disclosed that they had already invested nearly $50,000 into the production process and estimated an additional $125,000 was still required. This budget was transparently outlined on their Kickstarter campaign page for fans to review.

The second significant factor contributing to the discontent was the perception surrounding Kickstarter campaigns in general, with some fans expressing concerns that such platforms can sometimes be exploited to deceive supporters.

Examining the High Budget of Archspire’s New Album

During the conversation, Lamb elaborated on the band’s approach to the recording process.

“We quickly came to understand the distinction between a local band and a professional band,” states Lamb. “We hold no ill will towards local bands, but our aspiration is to expand our reach and tour internationally, establishing ourselves as headliners. To achieve these goals, we recognized the necessity of treating ourselves as a professional band.”

This professional approach meant avoiding free work, refraining from asking for favors, and ensuring that they paid fair rates for the expertise of professionals in the industry.

“Anyone who excels in their field has a standard rate, and I believe they are usually justified in their pricing,” he explained.

For their new album, the band engaged photographer Alex Morgan and producer Dave Otero. When some voiced concerns about the expenditure on photography, Lamb was quick to counter the notion that quality can be had for a mere $200. “I get a bit frustrated when people say that,” shared the guitarist, who praised Morgan’s exceptional work. He clarified that Morgan’s fee encompassed not just photography but also travel, lodging, equipment, location scouting, and additional staffing.

Morgan’s photography rate was set at $2,500.

READ MORE: How Archspire’s Oli Aleron Mastered the Art of Scream Vocals

In similar fashion, Lamb highlighted Otero’s extensive experience and ability to identify what works and what doesn’t, which can greatly enhance the quality of the final product.

“In the early years of our band, we quickly recognized that these details matter. It’s essential to find collaborators who deliver outstanding results, and we firmly believe in compensating individuals fairly for their talents,” he shared.

Understanding the Misconceptions About Crowdfunding

The concept of crowdfunding has been around long enough to develop a mixed reputation. Lamb acknowledges that some of this skepticism stems from high-profile campaigns that have failed spectacularly. However, he also pointed out that there is a significant history of successful campaigns that have effectively met the needs of fans while providing the necessary funding for the band. Archspire has meticulously researched successful strategies to structure their campaign.

“We are committed to executing this campaign correctly,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of careful financial planning and clarity on their funding needs prior to launching the campaign.

For their initiative, Archspire aimed for a goal of $126,000. They have already exceeded this target, raising $207,000 with 23 days remaining in the campaign. The band has created 11 tiers of rewards for fans, offering various benefits that range from recognition in a studio documentary, exclusive merchandise, signed items, instruments, and of course, the album itself in the fan’s preferred format.

“When we were a younger band, accessing such resources was simply unattainable, which is the essence of what this Kickstarter campaign represents. We are determined to engage the best talent in the industry to help us produce the highest quality album possible, ensuring our fans are genuinely thrilled with the result. It seems straightforward to me,” Lamb expressed.

The Archspire Kickstarter campaign is actively running, and you can find more information on their campaign page.

Archspire’s Dean Lamb Responds to Fan Concerns Over Kickstarter Funding