Join the Collective
Grimalkin is forging alternative pathways outside of the current music industryβs systems (labels, streaming, awards shows,for-profit corporate festivals and venues, etc.). Part of our mission is making those systems obsolete for independent working musicians in our communities.
Our goal is not to assist artists βbreaking inβ or βclimbing the ladderβ of what currently exists. We are reclaiming wealth and resources and mobilizing it back into our communities so that we can support ourselves as working musicians making a living wage.
We work with musicians who are passionate about creating opportunities and spaces of community care, mutual support and mutual aid, who are committed to our mission of working outside of industry norms, and who actively work to mobilize wealth and resources back into our communities.
Above all else, we value supportive relationships in our collective. Mutual aid and mutual support are at the core of everything we do.
Thus, the first step to joining Grimalkin is getting to know us. Reading about who we are, listening to our releases, and following/interacting with us on social media are great ways to do that. We also have a public Discord server (Minnie Mouse Club) where you can interact with current members, friends and followers.
βJoiningβ the collective means youβll have opportunities to get support and give support you have the time and energy for. If you have an idea you want the collective to cultivate and bring into the world, that is welcomed. Keep in mind that you also donβt have to be in the collective to release with us.
We encourage musicians of all ages to join us and to submit their music. Most labels tend to release younger artists, and while we love to support that age group, we do actively want to support artists of all ages.
Before folks join officially, theyβve been active with us for at least a year. This allows us to get to know people to make sure they share our values and are committed to helping Grimalkin reach our goals. People typically assist us with a variety of things that they are inspired to do to help us.
Support you can get:
Youβll be featured on the collective page of our website with a bio and links to your work and websites (being part of Gr means youβll get support internally, but we want to promote & highlight everyoneβs separate and personal projects or outside collectives & organizations theyβre members of).
A place to release your music, both physically and digitally. View all releases.
Tapes: Proceeds from tapes typically go to a non-profit, collective, or organization of your choosing. We encourage you to pick one a) local to you, b) that youβre a part of, or c) feel strongly about. We especially want to support smaller grassroots organizations.
Digital Sales: 75% of proceeds from digital sales can go to you or the organization you chose.
Lathe Cuts: Proceeds from lathe cuts go back into supporting the label.(currently on hold)
Merch: Proceeds from stickers and/or pins we make for your release will also go back to support the label. If you want to create something like a zine or other merch, we can discuss it to see if it is doable.
Strategic promotion. Every release is spread out so it can get the attention it deserves. We contact various music sites, writers, and blogs in advance of each release to get coverage and has contacts interested in all genres. We also promote each Grimalkin release on social media.
Opportunities to participate in interviews. We often are asked to do an interview or feature about the label, and everyone is invited to participate and get attention about what they are doing inside and outside Grimalkin.
Opportunities to play benefit shows and shows in general. We organize and co-host several shows throughout the year and have strict safer space policies.
Opportunities to collaborate on music with other artists, events, shows, artwork, with other labels, etc.
Production support on a case-by-case basis.
Help with concept artwork, formatting, and graphic design for physical releases at no cost.
Help recording your music or a place to record if you need one.
Do you have a specific way you need help? Just ask us and we will see what we can do.
Support you can give:
Follow us on all social media platforms you are also on: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. We have a Linkedin but thatβs optional.
Like our posts on social media weekly. Set a timer on your phone weekly to go to our profile and like and share what we are doing. The algorithm hides us so intentionally go to our profile and do it.
Sign up for our newsletter.
Read our monthly minutes and comment that you have and any feedback for us if you cannot not attend them.
Send us past albums, demos, artwork, songs, videos lyrics, poetry, writing, etc. to give to our monthly supporters. Most of us have previous demos and music or we engage in other creative efforts that we can share to both thank our monthly supporters and promote you as an artist.
Share your supporters' emails (phones if possible) with us so we can update them on your releases as well as our other newsletters.
Beginning 2 weeks prior to your single, preorder and release: Artists agree to promote their own releases, shows, and events at least once weekly for 4 weeks. Promotion should start 2 weeks before the release/event and end 2 weeks after. Live events do not need to be promoted 2 weeks after unless it is recorded and available online. Grimalkin should always be tagged in these posts. Send a collaboration invite on IG. Help us help you! Whenever you promote yourself or your work, tag Grimalkin and add us as a collaborator when appropriate.
After or Before Your Release: Write a testimonial. We created this Google Form
For folks involved in their own mutual aid work locally where you are: Commit to advocating for a community partnership between that org or collective and Grimalkin. There are many ways we can support each other while doing the things we are already doing so that there isnβt really additional work:
Have a meeting with your org to discuss how we can partner:
Inviting them to table at shows you play. Give them a chance to talk during the show and also take time to talk about Grimalkin too and how we are working with the org you invited (this could be referral services, promoting each otherβs services, work and mission on social media, holding a collaborative virtual workshop, holding a collaborative panel discussion on a topic that involves mutual aid or related topic, or other ideas that you can brainstorm with them.)
Hold a fundraiser for Grimalkin at least once yearly: by contacting people you know one-on-one, having it online and in person at an event or show. You should be communicating when youβre doing it, who youβve talked to and how much money you raised. We have a log sheet we can give you to document who youβve talked to, what was said, amount they donated or joined our patreon, and their contact info (email and/or phone) so that we can add them to our donor list and newsletter.
Participate in our yearly 6 week collective grassroots fundraiser (usually in the Spring yearly. Training and guidance is provided. Sharpen your grassroots organizing skills!)
Financially donate yourself at least once every year or join as a monthly patron and maintain it. If you no longer can at some point, communicate that and choose something else in this section. Everyone can do mutual aid sustainably. Learn how here.
Subscribe to our calendar by clicking the button on our calendar page to add our calendar to your Google calendar.
Subscribe as a free member to our Patreon.
Host a workshop. Grim has over 20 years of teaching experience and Eli has years of experience teaching with new and emerging technologies; we can help you create an experience youβre proud of.
Join our production or mentoring networks, and agree to do some sliding scale work for an artist weβre releasing.
Join our submission team and help us decide collectively which artists we choose to work with in the future. Truly listen and give thoughtful feedback to each submission.
This list of optional expectations is in no way comprehensive. There are other tasks and support not listed. Additionally, expectations may change and evolve over time, particularly when we have a studio space and a fully trained leadership team contributing to all the various parts and procedures of the release process.
Weβre hiring for several volunteer lead positions. Reach out if you want to strengthen your leadership skills by joining our Taiga and signing up for one of our volunteer lead positions. Training is provided. Send the following here:
A link to 5-10 pieces of your best work
Your resume
A letter of interest or cover letter, which addresses the following questions:
Why Grimalkin specifically as opposed to another company, collective or nonprofit?
What skills will you bring to Grimalkin and how will you contribute to our mission?
What are you hoping to gain from working with Grimalkin? .
Leadership roles include:
Task Management Angel (Multiple People Needed)
Grant Researcher Angel (Multiple People Needed)
Monthly Fundraiser Organizer (Multiple People Needed)
Booking Angel (Multiple People Needed)
Digital Compilation Organizer (Multiple People Needed)
Grimalkin Artist Sampler: Digital Compilation Organizer (Multiple People Needed)
Volunteer Writing & Editor Angel (Multiple People Needed)
Monthly Exclusives Organizer (Multiple People Needed)
Workshop RSVP Outreach & Follow-Up Angel (Multiple People Needed)
Hangout & Solidarity Follow-Up Angel (Multiple People Needed)
Testimonial Angel (Multiple People Needed)
Quarterly Live Stream Organizer (Multiple People Needed)
Follow Up Angel: Meeting Minutes (Multiple People Needed)
Social Media Follow-Up Angel (Multiple People Needed)
Website Updates Angel (Multiple People Needed)
Volunteer Coordinator (Multiple People Needed)
Volunteer Festival Coordinator (Multiple People Needed)
Volunteer 6 Week Fundraising Check-In Lead (Multiple People Needed)
Apply to our volunteer graphic design, video editing, social media, or writing internship programs.. All ages can apply.
Send the following here or on Handshake if youβre a student and have access to that platform through your college or university:
A link to 5-10 pieces of your best work
Your resume
A letter of interest or cover letter, which addresses the following questions:
Why Grimalkin specifically as opposed to another company, collective or nonprofit?
What skills will you bring to Grimalkin and how will you contribute to our mission?
What are you hoping to gain from working with Grimalkin?
Do you have an idea or special skill? Letβs talk!