Recently reunited pop-punk band The Early November posted a call for designers to submit their own t-shirt designs for upcoming merch on their Facebook page today.
from The Early November's Facebook page.
While for some this might be an exciting opportunity, is this an example of a band taking advantage of their fans?
The Early November formed in 1999 and signed to Drive-Thru Records in 2002 (the label is currently on hiatus but was once home to popular pop-punk bands like New Found Glory, Dashboard Confessional, and Hellogoodbye). In 2006 The Early November broke up, but was reunited earlier this year without label backing.
Although the band is currently unsigned, the call for merch designs has some asking questions. As The Early November’s post mentioned no incentive for designers to submit their work, the only clear outcome would be having a long-dead band profit from the sale of a fan’s t-shirt design.
from The Early November's Facebook page.
The Early November’s unsigned status begs the question of whether or not the band is simply taking advantage of the support of their fans in order to get a design for what is often bands’ most profitable product: their merch. That being said, The Early November should really be paying designers for their time and effort on something that will certainly be financing the band’s continuation.
- Check out The Early November on Facebook.
Music Not Magic 
Yeah t-shirt design contests are pure bs. It shows a huge lack of respect for design as a profession. During tax season make a contest for accountants to do your taxes.
Ha, I agree!