News

Natty and Atlantic Records Team Up With Pledge Music

• 20th Apr 2010

Pledge Music the groundbreaking new direct to fan platform, which launched in 2009 has entered into a unique partnership with chart-topping artist Natty and the legendary Atlantic Records, to record and promote a new EP.

Whilst working on his second album, Natty has teamed up with Pledge Music to record a stripped down collection of original songs. In conjunction with his label Atlantic Record this acoustic EP will be available online alongside a range of exclusive incentives for his fans.

Born in San Francisco, raised in North London, singer songwriter Natty released his Top 20 album Man Like I to widespread critical acclaim in August 2008. Natty's debut can loosely be described as a reggae-soul project with distinct and gritty undertones influenced by life as a young Londoner with dual African and British heritage.

Notable points in Natty's career so far have included a live performances on Later With Jools Holland and at the iTunes Live Festival, song of the week on Radio 1 with his debut single July, singing on the lead track on Nitin Sawhney's latest album London Undersound and performing as part of the BBC Electric Proms in 2009. Natty's global appeal was demonstrated when his single Badman reached number 1 on the Japanese playlist charts.

Natty has committed to giving a percentage of any monies raised via Pledge Music to charity and has nominated the Sarcoma Research Fund to be the beneficiary in tribute to Trip-Hop pioneer Johnny Dollar who co-produced Natty's debut album.

The new EP titled The Things I Done will be comprised wholly of original acoustic songs and Natty is also offering his fans a number of extra incentives, which include:

Exclusive merchandise including a 'pledgers only' Fair Natty Trade T-Shirt, hand written lyric sheets, personal video messages and signed CDs

A chance to buy Natty's first ever acoustic guitar and other signed instruments

A personal solo performance in a fans own home.

A chance for fans to introduce Natty live onstage + VIP backstage passes

A mention in the credits for the new EP

An opportunity for a fan to either remix one of Natty's tracks and have it played out before a live show or to spend a day in the studio with Natty remixing one of their own tracks.

In addition, all pledgers to this campaign will get exclusive access to a 'pledgers only updates' page on the Pledge Music website where Natty will be regularly posting new music and videos including rough mixes, demos, live tracks, videos from the studio, photos and more.

Natty said, “In the middle of recording my second album Johnny Dollar, who produced my first album, passed away. I wanted to do something in memory of him, like a gig or an event with all his music but nothing came of it. Around the same time I was thinking about releasing an acoustic demo of new songs I was writing, just for the fans. So when Pledge approached me to work with them it was a no-brainer; Acoustic EP for the fans to raise funds for Sarcoma sufferers. I spoke with my label, Atlantic Records and we came up with a plan for releasing the EP and an acoustic tour. Also we worked out a few extra incentives for peeps to get stuck into, hopefully we can raise a good amount of money to support the Sarcoma Research Fund at the Royal Marsden”.

Unlike other fan funded platforms Pledge Music does not take any money from fans until the entire pledge target is met and the band retain all rights to their music. Pledge Music also charges the lowest, flat rate commission in the marketplace.

Malcolm Dunbar, Managing Director of Pledge Music said, “I think it's brilliant that a major label like Atlantic Records has the vision to work with a company like ours who provide a direct link between artists and their fans. This campaign from Natty is an excellent way for him to stay engaged with his fans and to maintain visibility in the marketplace while he records his second album. ”

Paul Samuels Director of international A&R for Atlantic Records said, “We are all very excited that Natty is putting out some amazing new music and is going to be playing live this summer in preparation for his new Atlantic Records release later this year. We're delighted to be working alongside Pledge Music who have helped us put together a great strategy for connecting Natty and his fans with a really strong offering of premium incentives and compelling content.”

The Natty pledge campaign is now live and interested pledgers should visit link for more information.