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Grammotones Vinyl Program

Empowering local and regional artists with affordable vinyl record recording and distribution.
January 5×5 Night at Start Garden
Voting Closes:

January 20, 2025 11:59 pm

About this idea
Grammotones is already established as a vintage clothing store and small music production studio. Grammotones was founded by Brandon Copeland, with the idea that music and fashion are intertwined. Since opening the physical location in Downtown Grand Rapids, Grammotones has seen success in hosting music based events in the retail space. Those events have featured some of Michigan’s top young talent in genres such as jazz, rock, and hip-hop. Being a production studio, we have recorded audio from all of these events. We are pitching 5x5 night to develop and execute a program to cut future recordings to vinyl records and sell them in our retail space. The records will be part of a LIVE AT GRAMMOTONES series, where local and regional artists can generate passive income by participating in our series. Each artist will get a percentage of the sales from the records sold. The goal is to strengthen infrastructure for the bubbling Grand Rapids music scene as well as generate opportunities for musicians to make money from their art.
Impact
This program will create 3 impact points: 1. Creative Confidence: As a musician myself, I remember the first time that I heard my own music on vinyl records. I was so pumped to create more art. This program will allow other artists to capture that feeling and be inspired to create more music. 2. Passive income: Outside of making money from events and selling merch, most local and regional musicians only see passive income through DSPs/streaming. This program allows for artists to generate income outside of the show dates. Everyday shoppers can listen to and buy music in our storefront. 3. Cultural: The area of South Division where our storefront resides is becoming the epicenter for the Grand Rapids music scene. Music thrives in this area because of venues like the Pyramid Scheme and Skelletones, and shops like Vertigo and Tone Chasers. This program will strengthen the music culture that is already so engrained in the area.
What I'll do with $5,000
The $5000 will be used to purchase a Vinyl Record Lathe Cutter, advertising and promotional materials, as well as blank records. Phonocut Machine: $3000 Blank Discs: 80units $10/unit. $800 Sleeves and Covers: $200 Advertising and promotional materials: $1000
Quick Bio
Brandon Copeland AKA Dante Cope is a business owner, musician, and educator. Mr. Copeland owns Grammotones, a cool retail space located at 120 Division Ave S. He also is a member of the band Les Créatif and is a teaching artist as West Michigan Center For Arts and Technology. He is also the secretary of the Board for the Grand Rapids Community Media Center.
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