Lyndhurst record store launches young artists vinyl crowdfunder

THE founder of a Lyndhurst record store has launched a crowdfunding club to help young and emerging artists get their first break.

Fran Jones, who run the Black Star Records shop in Lyndhurst is currently running a crowdfunder to enable London singer-songwriter Ella Bleakley (21) to release her first vinyl LP.

Fran who launched the shop and associated independent record company Black Star Records during the pandemic, says many of his customers are teenagers who are interested in buying vinyl rather than simply downloading music.

He said: “When I started the shop I was always aiming to reach the point where we could support young artists to get a record.”

“I started building an online community and, when I reached 1,000 members who were regularly buying records, I knew I had enough support in place to use it as a crowdfunding platform to help young artists.”

Fran’s idea is to use the online club he has created as a platform that invites unsigned artists to access a community of music lovers who will hopefully offer support to accelerate their success, audiences and careers.

The first featured artist to release a crowdfunded LP, Ella will be performing songs from her new album, Somewhere Green, at the Lyndhurst store tomorrow (Saturday) at 2pm.

Somewhere Green features seven original tracks combining ballads with RNB, beats, jazz and electronic. Based on her personal journey, the songs are a reflection of Ella’s search for self-acceptance.

Fran explained: “Releasing a vinyl LP that sells over 500 copies – without being signed to a label – is a massive thing and should be a very enjoyable journey for any young artist.

“Black Star Records is supporting Ella to achieve this dream. Once the crowdfunding target of circa 250-270 sales has happened, at a cost price of £14.99, then we print the record.”

Production and distribution will take about eight weeks with a planned release in early 2024. All albums are pressed on 100% Eco Wax. Every crowdfunding supporter will receive a numbered, signed and executive producer credit on the record.

Fran continued: “When the pre-sold crowdfunded albums go out, the artists will be left with around 250 albums which will be around £5,000 of stock they can sell at gigs, festivals or online.”

“The artists will receive the whole benefit of the initiative. This is a wholly philanthropic exercise of passing it forward so that the artists can hopefully move forward with a positive experience that fuels the next thing,” said Fran.

To support Ella’s crowdfunder visit www.blackstarrecords.co.uk/black-star-presents