04 May 2009 - 0 Comments

Every Kiwi music artist dreams of hitting the studio, recording some tracks and producing a professional album they can call their own - but it's a dream that carries a hefty price tag. However, for South Island "west coaster" Katie Thompson, and Kane Sole of Taranaki, the Rabo Idol campaign being launched this month by RaboPlus could see one of them producing an album funded by RaboPlus customers and music fans from New Zealand and around the world.

As part of NZ Music Month, RaboPlus - the online savings and investment arm of Rabobank - is 'making it happen' for a local artist by helping to raise US$50,000 for an album. Rabo Idol is being run in conjunction with international, online music community Sellaband, which allows people to invest in funding albums for up-and-coming musicians.

RaboPlus selected the two aspiring Kiwi Sellaband artists - Katie and Kane - and from today, RaboPlus customers and music lovers can go onto the RaboPlus website, listen to their music, and vote for their favourite artist. The artist with the most votes at the end of May will receive an initial investment from RaboPlus of NZ$10,000, and promotion to encourage other people to 'buy in' to their recording project.

RaboPlus General Manager Mike Heath says Rabo Idol is an innovative investment opportunity for New Zealanders, as well as a novel way to support local musicians during NZ Music Month.

"This is a great way for RaboPlus to get involved with Kiwi musicians and help them toward achieving their goals. As an online bank it gives our customers, and anyone who loves New Zealand music, the chance to get online and show their support through voting, blogging and sharing ideas.

"Rabo Idol also presents a unique, low-cost way for New Zealanders to invest in New Zealand music. If our artist reaches US$50,000, people who invested will receive a limited edition of the artist's album, and 50 per cent of net revenue generated is split 50/50 with the artist and their investors for five years," Mike Heath says.

Katie Thompson is a 22-year-old singer/songwriter from Hokitika, but is now living in Greymouth. She describes her music as 'Kiwi', roots, pop and country. Katie is excited about the chance to record an album through RaboPlus and Sellaband.

"This is such an amazing opportunity, and not one that many people come by. Being able to produce an album with international input would be a dream come true for me."

Katie already has US$9,000 invested by music fans that will go toward producing an album.

Kane Sole is a 27-year-old singer/songwriter who writes acoustic, folk rock and blues music. Originally from Taranaki, Kane relocated to Australia two years ago to "cut his teeth" on the Melbourne music scene - but he still proclaims his strong Kiwi roots.

"There is a big audience in Melbourne for good live, original music - but New Zealand will always be home for me. This opportunity with RaboPlus will be a great step closer to recording an album with Sellaband, and would help raise my music profile at home."

Kane already has US$12,000 invested by music fans that will go toward producing an album.

Other Kiwi artists have already benefited from the Sellaband community. Christchurch rapper Maitreya - aka Jamie Greenslade - reached US$50,000 with Sellaband in 2007 and went on to record and produce his album Close To Home in New York and London. He has since toured his album in Amsterdam, Hong Kong, London and New Zealand.

RaboPlus will announce the winning artist after Queen's Birthday weekend in June.

Thanks to www.raboplus.co.nz for this story.

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