286: Ben Allison on streaming, crowdsourcing, and DIY artist life

Ben Allison is the ultimate DIY jazz artist, blending jazz, rock, folk, and 20th century classical music into sonically compelling tapestries.

His 11 albums have garnered considerable critical acclaim, and he has toured the world extensively with his groups The Ben Allison Band, Think Free, The Easy Way Trio, Peace Pipe, and Medicine Wheel.

For his latest album with Think Free, Ben decided to try a new approach to funding it: crowdsourcing.

His campaign ends December 28th, and he is closing in on his funding goal.

We dig into all kinds of topics like:

  • the many ways in which making a living as an independent artist has changed
  • The actual business model of streaming music companies
  • tapping into the base of “super-fans”
  • recording at Maggie’s Farm in Pennsylvania
  • how mixing has become an addiction to Ben
  • the potential alienation of technology
  • his role as President of the Board of the New York chapter of the Recording Academy

It was a great conversation–Ben’s a great guy and an interesting artist, and I can’t wait to see how the album turns out!

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By Jason

An active double bass performer and teacher, Jason teaches double bass at DePaul University and served on the Board of Directors of the International Society of Bassists for many years. Jason is the current President of the Illinois chapter of the American String Teachers Association. Jason has been a member of the Elgin Symphony since 2000 and has played with the Midsummer’s Music Festival in Door County for the past decade. He is a past member of the Milwaukee Ballet and IRIS Orchestra, and has performed with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Grant Park Symphony, and numerous other professional ensembles.