Brennan Haase, chief marketing officer for MyBandStock.com, understands problems faced by bands trying to break into the music scene.
The 2006 Clarkston High School graduate faces them himself, as guitarist for local band 11 Letters Long.
“In high school, lots of bands are trying to start, but run into the same issues, you can’t record without money and equipment, and you can’t earn money without a record,” said Haase.
Haase works with MyBandStock President Drew Leahy and Vice President Kevin Pritchard, who started the project in 2007. They work with Evan Frankfort of Los Angeles? Would Work Sound studio and Robb Vallier, Grammy Award-winning producer.
“I was talking about forming a cover band with the president of the company and we ended up talking about his idea to buy stock in bands,” Haase said. “I thought it was an awesome idea.”
A junior studying phychology at University of Michigan, his job is management of the company’s brand and message.
“I make sure the message we send out is what we meant to send out,” he said. “Our catch phrase, ‘Join the Music Revolution,’ was my idea. That in essence is what we do.”
MyBandStock.com is an interactive social website. Fans buy “band stock” in their favorite music, providing bands with funds and a platform for their music. For their investment, fans receive incentives such as merchandise, concert tickets, and music downloads.?
“We’re troubleshooting it, redefining the concept,” Haase said. “We’re all type-A learners. We check the music blogs and seek advice from music industry contacts. If we have a question, we look for the answer.”
Their goal is not to replace recording labels, but to offer music in a different way, he said.
“It provides an opportunity to form personal relationships between bands and fans,” he said. “It presents a platform to reach fans, and fans get exclusive content, special deals, and a chance to meet the bands.”
It gives a band a chance to become successful on their own, on their own terms, he said.
“It’s an option open to everyone,” he said. “It’s really interesting, reimagining how the music industry works.”
Haase grew up in Waterford, and his family, parents Doug and April, his brother, Taelor, a student at Michigan State University, and sister, Kylee, a student at Clarkston High School, moved to Springfield Township when he was in high school.
Took up bass guitar while in middle school.
‘My friend played regular guitar and we wanted to start a band,? he said.
They started a couple bands, Loser Squad and 11 Letters Long when he was a junior, which still performs in the summer.
Plans for MYBandStock include a national launch, digital distribution of music, and revamped system of stocks.
“A generic stock that fans can distribute as they wish,” he said. “I’m definitely looking at this as a potential career. Right now it’s supplemtal because I’m a student. We’re all a bunch of young 20-somethings.”
For more information, check www.mybandstock.com.