by Mary Jo Pehl, Heather Gold, Kenyatta Cheese and Allee Willis
Since the web began we've been talking about artists having a career without a label and going to fans direct. We finally have examples of it working. So what does it look like? SXSW Veteran Heather Gold sits down with collaborating songwriters Allee Willis (September, Boogie Wonderland, over 50 million albums sold) and Pomplamoose (over 28 million YouTube views) and you to find out.
Allee and Pomplamoose met online after Pomplamoose covered Allee's September and decided to collaborate together. By SXSW 2011 they will have released 3-10 songs, videosongs, a podcast and an online game together as part of a single project. This is a kind of collaboration, art and business that would not be possible without the web.
Allee has sold 50,000,000 records and yet cannot read or write music. Pomplamoose make all their songs in a tiny room crammed with a piano and instruments. Both are exceptionally accessible and conversational.
In this case study we’ll find out how "limitations" and openness serve them in an era of "personal brands." We’ll also dig into their collaborative process in making music and visuals together and find out how they've succeeded creatively and in every other way.
LEVEL: Intermediate