Indie 500 Program

Let’s record your song and get it heard.
For just $500.

The Indie 500 program offers a discounted flat rate of $500 (+GST) for the complete production (from tracking to master) of 1 song as well as single artwork design and a custom single release strategy. 

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As an indie artist myself (Von Bieker), I know $500 isn’t nothing, but it is something. This is my attempt to help great songwriters get great songs out into the world and move their careers forward, while I get to know and work with up new artists and grow my own network and skills.

Because this is a deep discount and making good music takes time, I am only able to offer this deal to 1 artist a month. Of course, you can also hire me at my current hourly rate to work on your music. 

Some Questions, Some Answers

Feel free to email me at dave@vonbieker.com with any questions if you don’t find the answers below.

Where will we record?

Small Enough Studio is located in my home in Ritchie in central Edmonton. It is an cozy and inspiring space close to some fabulous spots for lunch breaks 🙂

What’ included?

The Indie 500 package includes recording and production of one of your songs at my studio, along with single artwork and a customized release strategy for you to follow based on your goals for your music and my own expertise and experience.

Why are you doing this?

I’m passionate about helping artists get their music recorded and heard and I know first-hand how hard and expensive that process can be. With every project, I build my own skills and network while being able to help an artist move forward. This brings me a lot of joy.

What quality of demo do I need to submit?

You do not need a good quality recording to submit, but you do need to capture the song. Voice memo recordings are great, so long as both instrument and vocals are audible. 

Can I submit a song that isn’t fully written/finished?

Mostly-finished songs can be submitted too. So long as it’s not a full co-write. We can work on arrangement and finalizing parts in the production process. (I’m open to co-writes, just not as part of this program.) 

Who owns my final recording and song?

You do. I won’t claim any rights or production points on your song, unless we enter into a co-write agreement and we’d both need to sign that in advance. Your recording is yours to do with as you please, I simply ask that you credit me where it makes sense.

Can I hear some samples of your work?

Sure thing. Here are some tracks that I’ve recorded and mixed for myself and other artists

How do you select which songs and artists to work with?

Selections are made by me, Dave Von Bieker, based on a number of admittedly subjective factors. In essence, I will choose songs I am passionate about and feel like I can elevate in some way. 

There are so many reasons you may not be selected other than “it’s a bad song”. I won’t give feedback on all submissions by default, but feel free to email me at dave@vonbieker.com if you would like feedback on your submission. I’ll do my best.  

Is it really just $500 in total? No catch?

Well, yes. But …

First, I charge GST.

Second, if there are any times where I need to charge extra, we’ll agree to this BEFORE that work is done.

Here are a few instances where costs could increase;

Session Musician Fees are not included.

Depending on what instruments you want to add to your track, we have the option to hire excellent local session players, but the choice is entirely yours to work with session players or not on your track.

A reasonable amount of time is included for tracking, mixing and mastering your song as well as for artwork and marketing plan creation. This doesn’t mean unlimited time, but it does mean enough to reasonably finish the project.

Can you tell me more about time limits?

I obviously cannot give these songs unlimited time, but what I do offer is a great production at a fraction of the cost it would charge with my hourly rate.

These don’t have to be stripped down “guitar and voice” recordings, but there is of course a limit on my time. I’ll be up front about time limitations if they arise, and our options to move forward.

If you need, I can provide you some more detailed information on what we can record in my studio, mix-revisions and mastering revisions included, but for now just know I will not surprise you with a big bill and I will get your song done in the way we agree to for the budget we agreed to.

Up to 2 hours will be given for your artwork creation.

I can’t offer unlimited revisions and I can’t draw artwork from scratch for you at this price. We’ll agree on a concept and some inspirations for your artwork and put together artwork in the necessary sizes and formats to represent your song well (This package includes up to 2 hours of design work, which is enough, but if more custom work is required we can discuss pricing.)

2 hours will be dedicated to marketing strategy.

Our marketing planning meeting will be an hour-long, after which I’ll provide you an actionable summary of the plan. We’ll have a half-hour follow-up after your song is release to assess how well we did with our goals.

Still have more questions?

Please reach out! I’d love to hear about your music even if we don’t end up doing an “Indie 500” project together. Send me an email at dave@vonbieker.com.