Fan-funded album reaches top 10

Sun Li

Source: Xinhua

A relatively unknown singer-songwriter has rocked the music industry after his fan-funded album snuck its way into the mid-week top 10.

Ginger Wildheart's latest release 100% is currently sitting at number 9 in the UK album charts - outselling the likes of multi platinum stars such as Rihanna and Coldplay.

Its placing has raised a number of eyebrows - given the unconventional way the album was financed and promoted on a shoe-string budget.

Last year flame-haired rocker Ginger, who made a name for himself in the 1990s with Brit-rockers The Wildhearts, invited fans to buy copies of the album in advance - despite not having recorded a single note.

Those backing the project were offered the chance to own a limited edition triple album of 30 songs entitled 555% - and also be able to vote on which 12 tracks would make the single disc version for commercial release.

Added to that Ginger also vowed to donate proceeds from the album to Save The Children.

But die-hard fans threw their weight behind the ambitious project - raising around 200,000 in a matter of a few hours via the PledgeMusic website.

After the limited edition release sold out and tracks picked by fans surfaced online, word-of-mouth about 100% has continued to gather pace.

Ginger said: "This chart entry marks a historic change in the way bands and artists can release music direct to their fans, afford quality production values and actually make a living too."

In the midweek album charts, Linkin Park occupy the top spot with their fifth album Living Things.