Austin’s music scene thrives on collaboration, and Sonic Guild is helping fuel that creativity by directly supporting the artists and producers who make the city’s sound so special.
New executive director Bobby Garcia and Glass Mansions frontwoman Jayna Doyle joined Trevor Scott to share how the organization is helping musicians fund new projects, tour more, and keep creating.
SEE THE FULL INTERVIEW IN THE VIDEO ABOVE
New executive director Bobby Garcia and Glass Mansions frontwoman Jayna Doyle joined Trevor Scott to share how the organization is helping musicians fund new projects, tour more, and keep creating.
A Membership That Gives Back
Sonic Guild works as a membership-based organization where supporters help fund artist grants while also gaining access to concerts and events throughout the year.
“I like to call them a membership of superfans that actually make a direct investment in the future of artists,” Garcia said.
Members receive perks like free shows, a spring music fest and the annual Sonic Guild Ball, but Garcia says the biggest reward is supporting Austin’s music ecosystem.
Helping Artists Create
Jayna says Sonic Guild made a huge difference for Glass Mansions.
“We were sitting on a lot of music that, as an independent artist, we couldn’t really handle funding ourselves,” she said. “Once we got the grant, we immediately went into the studio and made this.”
The band recently released a new EP and is now taking it on tour.
Supporting Producers, Too
Sonic Guild is also expanding its reach with a new producers grant, underwritten by the Armor Family Foundation.
Garcia said the goal is to recognize the many people who help bring music to life behind the scenes.
“Producers play a really incredible role in making sure they’re sitting hand in hand next to an artist and helping them get through the technical parts that really create the art,” he said.
This year’s grant cycle drew dozens of submissions from Austin and Seattle, with recipients to be announced soon.
Funding Tour Life
Touring is another major expense for independent musicians, and Sonic Guild’s tour grants are designed to help.
Garcia said artists can apply online, and the grants can support roughly 150 tour dates throughout the year.
“We really see the tour support stuff as a natural extension of what we started with,” he said.
Sonic Guild’s next member showcase is happening this Saturday, with a public-facing show set for August 7 at The Center. The organization’s annual ball will follow in December.
For more information, visit SonicGuild.org.
Sonic Guild helps Austin musicians chase big dreams, with grants and industry support