FAQ — That is, the questions you’ve all frequently been asking us

Well, to sum up, Microcultures is an indie participative production company : crowdfunding is part of the label's policy and is our way to help artists with their projects. Many details hereafter.
how does it work? What's this "packs" thing ?

We produce artistic projects. We work along with artists on precise productions (like an album, a book, a spectacle). We collect money from regular people way in advance to make these projects happen. In exchange for their money, these people can have different packs containing rewards (like a CD, a book, a ticket for a show or your name on the cover...)

How do you select these projects you're working on ?

We work on what we like. We wish to invest all our energy in these projects. For this, we need passion. We claim to have a very subjective taste, yet we think we can share it with people.

Can we suggest you any projects ?

Yes you can. You just need to contact us and we'll study your request carefully. However, we're usually very busy with projects we already work on (current or future projects) and there's a good chance we won't take the suggestion . But it's still worth a try.

Will you produce only music ?

No. It's just a start. But we're open to any kind of projects and would be very pleased to be contacted by a cartoonist, a filmmaker or a novellist.

What happens if the amount collected is too low ?

When we launch a project, we are committed to it . No matter how much money we raise, at the end, we make it happen. Projects are conceived in a modular way: the more money we get, the more ambitious it will get. But we guarantee a minimum production if fundraising doesn't work. It's really your participation that makes all the difference.

How do you make money ?

We want to believe in Microcultures' projects' potential. We do believe in their commercial potential too and bet we can make money out of the benefits they will generate, as any other production company. We're on the artists' side and will earn money just as they will: we don't earn a single euro if they don't, we become rich if they do too. Therefore, we don't take a commission on the fundraising, which money is invested in the project, in agreement with the artists.
Our remuneration, just as theirs, comes from the sales, radio broadcasts, shows or any other income allowed by the fundraising.

Why buy at Microcultures rather than anywhere else ?

Our goal is to remunerate the artists as fairly and clearly as possible. When you contribute on Microcultures, you know what you're doing: you make unique artistic projects happen and you make sure artists will be paid for their work.
For the same amount of money spent, a participation on Microcultures pays the artists at least twice as much as a purchase in the traditional distribution circuit.

What do you sell in your shop?

All Microcultures’ productions : every disc, book or anything you’ve helped us finance.
We also suggest a selection of some productions released by labels or artists that we want to support. This shop is also an area where you can discover. It’s a way for us to share what we love in the actual indie production.

Your "monthly mixtape", what is it exactly?

This mixtape is, for us, the occasion to share a selection of five MP3 tracks that labels/artists we like generously accepted to broadcast for free. It’s just for your ears and you can download it on your member account.

Can I invest on a Microcultures project, become a coproducer and earn dividends ?

No. We're not saying we'll never do it. But, for now, this raises too many and too serious ethical and legal questions, that are not answered yet, and that doesn't really fit the kind of relationship we want to found between artists and their fans.

Can I get a refund ? Or an invoice ?

Yes. Contact us.

Do you ship abroad ?

Yes. Anywhere someone will be searching for alternative production, we'll be there.

Do you follow artists after the fundraising phase ?

Sure. Fundraising is only a first step. We want to help artists much more than only finance them. Our mission is to accompany artists and their projects, especially in their operational management. In a way, this will never reach its target, since it will always be possible to do more for these projects in terms of visibility, audience and success.

What's the difference between Microcultures and another indie label ?

Two things at least. Economic participative model on the one hand, that allows us to offer many more items than a finished product only. Our will to diversify on the other hand, which will lead us in the future to defend projects that are not connected to music. In addition to that, let's just say that we're flexible, our mission is not restricted to one specific part and can be adapted to the artists' needs or ambitions.
However, we share with indie labels the same passion for projects we defend, the same inclination for well done work, close relationships with artists and a true concern about quality.

What difference is there between you and a platform like Kickstarter ?

We're a production company. We chose our artists and work along with them from A to Z. Crowdfunding sites offer good solutions to raise money but don't do more than this: artists using their tools need to take care of many things not really linked to their art.
However, these sites offer incredible services for people who are ready to be completely independent. We were inspired by Kickstarter for many Microcultures' aspects.

Do Microcultures founders eat bio products ?

Not only, but one of them raised a chicken in his garden, the other one used to drink very freshly milked milk in his childhood.

By the way, who are the founders ?

Dixit ljt : Jean-Charles Dufeu is a straight man, rather funny, who owns many CDs and vinyls. He used to work here and there in the neighborhood of musical production and diffusion.
Dixit jcd : Louis-Jean Teitelbaum is an interesting dude, able to control any wild computer and to transform any thought in a clear, organized oral essay, as long as he's in a good mood. Which is sometimes the case.