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Mahogany, the global multi-platform music brand best known for the Mahogany Sessions YouTube channel, has established a new fund for early-stage artists and it's open to grant applications now. 

Following the recent launch of its distribution arm, Mahogany Songs, the Mahogany Music Fund marks the latest stage in the expansion of the company’s independent artist services offering. 

The first round of funding will open for artists either currently releasing music through Mahogany Songs or looking to release a future project through the platform, allowing them to apply for grants of up to £2,500 each to supercharge the creation and promotion of their music over the next 12 months.

A panel, including external industry experts, will select up to ten initial grant recipients. In addition to financial investment, the winning artists will benefit from close support from the Mahogany team, whose 15 years of experience has included work with Billie Eilish, Hozier, Michael Kiwanuka and Leon Bridges. This will include one-on-one sessions advising on areas such as campaign strategy, social media and A&R.

By opening access to financial support, the Mahogany Music Fund seeks to address the most widespread challenge faced by the platform’s artist community. A recent survey of 100 creators found funding to be the highest ranking struggle for 42% of respondents, followed by growing an audience (19%) and finding a good team (17%).

Of the areas in which artists would most commonly benefit from financial support, 38% answered they would put any extra funding towards recording costs, followed by digital marketing (20%), and social content creation (11%).

Artists can apply for funding, as well as to join Mahogany Songs, via the website link below. Grant applications close on 27th September.

Please see below for an overview of Mahogany’s survey results (taken from a poll of 100 independent artists from 2nd August to 13th August 2024):

What do you find the biggest challenge as an independent artist?

Accessing financial support (42%)
Growing an audience (19%)
Finding a good team (17%)
Getting support from tastemakers (radio, streaming, etc) (10%)
Gaining music industry contacts and knowledge (7%)
Sourcing musicians for projects (4%)
Finding studio space (1%)

If you had access to extra funding - what would be the first thing you would spend it on to help your next project?

Music recording (producers, musicians, mixing, mastering, studio time) (38%)
Digital marketing (20%)
Social content creation (11%)
PR (9%)
Investment in equipment (audio, video, software) (7%)
Touring and gigging (6%)
Music videos (3%)
Radio plugger (3%)
Spotify ads (2%)
Other (1%)
Billboards / physical advertising (0%)

Related Links

https://2arr21bwyzu.typeform.com/to/tbDkaFgn

https://mahoganysongs.com/

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Mahogany Songs unveil grants to assist with the creation and promotion of music from emerging artists and bands