Join the Collective

Grimalkin is forging alternative pathways outside of the current music industry’s 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 “breaking in” or “climbing the ladder” 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.

“Joining” the collective means you’ll 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 don’t 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, they’ve 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:

  • You’ll be featured on the collective page of our website with a bio and links to your work and websites (being part of Gr means you’ll get support internally, but we want to promote & highlight everyone’s separate and personal projects or outside collectives & organizations they’re 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 you’re 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:

  • Research grants and other opportunities for our nonprofit and collective.

  • Review new submissions: listening to them and providing feedback by joining our submission review team.

  • Contact institutions like universities, colleges, museums, etc for possible partnerships and funding opportunities or internships.

  • A&R: scout new talent- this just involves searching out new talent online and in your local community

  • Attend monthly Grimalkin meetings and read the minutes when you can not attend. We ask folks to comment “read” once they have directly on our minutes document.

  • Organize and coordinating Grimalkin community virtual and in-person hang-outs.

  • 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.

  • Participate in our yearly 6 week collective grassroots fundraiser (usually in the Spring yearly. Training and guidance is provided. Sharpen your grassroots organizing skills!)

  • Organize Grimalkin benefit shows and booking.

  • Donate exclusive content for our monthly patrons on Patreon and Bandcamp. Artwork, poetry, lyrics, songs, demos, past albums, videos, writing, etc.

  • Share contacts you’ve made with writers, music sites and venues.

  • Social media PR in general (IG and Facebook)

  • Curate a Gr digital compilation

  • Join our production and/or mentoring networks to provide pro-bono and/or sliding scale services to Grimalkin artists.

  • Donate resources, your time as a volunteer, connections, and/or money if you have means.  You can give a one time donation, join as a Bandcamp sub or Patron. Tell everyone you know with means and interest in what we are doing to donate or join as a patron. Everyone can do mutual aid sustainably. Learn how here.

  • Coordinate mutual aid support and sharing this info on our socials. Making graphics about mutual aid and other activist/revolutionary work and also sharing them on our socials (IG and Facebook). 

  • Assist with writing or editing our quarterly and monthly newsletters

  • Write guest blog posts for our website related to anything that fits our values.

  •  Write Grimalkin a testimonial about why you think our work is important and/or how we have worked with you or helped and supported you as an artist or collaborator.

  • Plan and hold a workshop

  • We’re hiring for several volunteer lead positions. Reach out if you want to strengthen your leadership skills by joining our Trello 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?

  • 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 you’re 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? Let’s talk!