Huge Direct to Fan success for Jackdaw4

In a challenging business climate Jackdaw4 have abandoned the more traditional methods for releasing their eagerly anticipated fourth album, and is the latest band to have turned to their fans for a new solution.

Using the Direct to Fan platform PledgeMusic, Jackdaw4 are able to offer their fans a range of exclusive items to pre order in advance of release, including signed copies of their forthcoming new album, handwritten lyric sheets and even an acoustic performance in a fans living room.

Once they have 'pledged' fans then have access to a range of free exclusive content including videos that take you behind the scenes of the recording process, rare audio tracks and even a FREE 8 track live album to download!  The fans will also have an opportunity to suggest names for the new album and directly communicate and interact with the band.

Less than 24 hours after launching Jackdaw4 smashed through their original target, and currently the band have surpassed 320% with less than two weeks to go before their project comes to an end.

Jackdaw4 is following in the footsteps of another British success story, Ginger Wildheart, who recently used PledgeMusic to connect with his fans and release his latest album “100%”.  The Direct to Fan release shocked the music industry in June by debuting at number 3 in the Independent album charts behind Adele and Noel Gallagher.  Frontman of Jackdaw4, Willie Dowling served as co-producer on that album.

“I really like the idea that there might actually be a new paradigm established if people start to go to Pledge and similar sites, to look for new music there", says Willie Dowling, who is also producing the new Jackdaw4 album.  “Clearly the traditional record companies are doing less and less interesting ‘band’ music.  Releasing music in this way enables the bands to really connect directly with it's fans and provide a sense of community and excitement that you don't normally get when buying new music.”

As a special incentive, fans of Willies Dowlings previous band Honeycrack are able to pre order a brand new T-shirt exclusive to this Pledge Campaign and a special re-released version of “PS” The Unreleased Demos”- songs written for the second Honeycrack album that materialised. This will include unheard tracks which got lost along the way, and some new brand new liner notes.

Willie Dowling concludes "I'm blown away by the support thats been shown to Jackdaw4 through this campaign so far. It is so refreshing to see so many people Pledging who are excited about the release of new music and who want to get involved and be part of the process.  It's more than just an album, it's an experience and everyone is invited.”

See Willie Dowling explain the reason for choosing PledgeMusic in his original pitch video. http://youtu.be/74XPoUyvzgQ

To find out more and to Pledge your support visit: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/jackdaw4

10% of everything Jackdaw4 raise over their target will be donated to the Prostate Cancer Charity.

Jackdaw4 are:

Willie Dowling (vocals, guitars, piano, keyboards, various instruments)

John Steel (guitars, backing vocals, various instruments)

Andy Lewis (bass, backing vocals)

Kate Stephenson (drums, percussion, backing vocals)

Guy James (backing vocals, guitar)

Band page: http://www.jackdaw4.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Jackdaw4

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Jackdaw_4