Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Lowney.
Nick, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
The Hammer Collective was created at the beginning of 2018. After years of being in my own bands (four to be exact), I decided to devote myself to the business aspects of a prospering local music scene. Seeing so many of my friends’ bands playing shows every weekend and recording in the studio religiously, it kind of gave me that urge to want to help them more than my own band. After taking some time off from my most recent project (Glass Half Empty), I realized that it was time to lay that to rest and start working full time to get these bands out on the road and their music heard.
After working a year at The Shop Underground in Taunton, MA, I had built up the communication skills necessary to local shows as well as working nationally on tours for my own band. From exchanging shows at my venue in order to play shows in different states, to constantly spamming Facebook groups in search out out-of-state shows, it really was no different to be doing this for others rather than myself.
Since April, I’ve signed on 6 bands to the collective, booked four tours, and have hosted countless local shows right here in MA. A couple months later, however, I opened up my screen-printing and band merchandise business under the same name, and that has allowed me to have a steady source of income while I am working for bands as well. We offer bulk merchandise orders anywhere from tee shirts to long sleeves, hoodies to crewnecks, buttons to underwear. I’ve been printing and shipping merchandise to bands all across the country, with much help to promotion within multiple Facebook groups and ads.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
The Hammer Collective is a booking company as well as a merchandise company. Since my roots are strictly based off of DIY practices, that is the approach that I have taken to run this operation. Every tour I book is established through making personal connections, I try to stray away from being super “professional.” People in this industry like when you understand their situation, whether it be a last-minute show cancelation, budgeting, time management, etc.
A lot of booking/merchandise companies lack that, and this is when The Hammer Collective steps up to the plate. I’ve been in mostly every situation that these bands have been in, and I accommodate to that. If someone can’t afford a certain merchandise order, I offer them options that will save them money. If someone’s show drops in MA and I have a show open on that date (or close to it), I’ll add them to the bill. I guess the message of this company is to try and repair the damage that a lot of promoters, booking companies, and expensive merchandise companies have caused to the local music scene. People tend to get taken advantage of, and that’s unfair to those who are working themselves sick to make sure that they can play to a crowd every night.
Watching bands grow over time is the most rewarding feeling ever, at least for me. When I see the bands on my collective playing a sold-out show, releasing a new record, and touring the country, it makes me feel as if I’m doing something right, and that’s what honestly keeps me going. If these bands are successful, then I am as well. This also applies to my merchandise aspects. When people order through me and save a ton of money, they can afford other necessities for their band. Simply living on the road for weeks at a time is nothing but spending money. It’s my job to offer affordable rates that can keep me in business, as well as keep these bands on the road. Everyone deserves a chance at their passion.
Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
Struggling comes with the job. Struggle comes with any job in the arts. If we didn’t want to struggle, then we probably shouldn’t be in this field. Money comes with time, and that’s just how it is. I just started profiting this year after 5+ years in the music industry, and the only reason that’s even happening is because of the merchandise side of The Hammer Collective.
Now I’m not saying quit your job and go travel the world playing music, that’s unrealistic. Work a job. Work two jobs. Always be generating some source of income. Doesn’t matter where that income is coming from, whether it be McDonald’s, freelance photography, writing articles, whatever. Always be doing something, you’ll be happy when you have a few extra hundred dollars the next time you decide to go on tour or record an album. If you’re a reliable worker, show up to your shifts, and put in your time when it’s due, most of the time your job will have no problem giving you the time off you need to play shows, tour, or pursue whatever your passion may be. Don’t stress money in your passion, work to fund your passion. Eventually, it will generate income on its own.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
To keep up with The Hammer Collective simply follow us/like us on any social media platform. We constantly stay updated with merchandise we print, discounts on merchandise orders, tours, local shows, bands’ releases, etc.
www.Facebook.com/TheHammerCollective
www.Instagram.com/TheHammerCol
www.Twitter.com/TheHammerCol
To support us, we really don’t ask for much. The best thing you can do is attend a local show. It helps The Hammer Collective stay in business, and also puts money in to starving bands’ pockets.
If you’re a band/brand/business, you can support us by simply order your next merchandise order through us, we price match online rates if we aren’t already lower than them, which in almost all cases, we are. Contact us at: TheHammerCollective@Gmail.com. Or, if you feel inclined to do so, we have The Hammer Collective tee shirts available at www.TheHammerCollective.BigCartel.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: Facebook.com/TheHammerCollective
- Phone: 7743200712
- Email: TheHammerCollective@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/TheHammerCol
- Facebook: Facebook.com/TheHammerCollective
- Twitter: Twitter.com/TheHammerCol
Image Credit:
Carol Simpson – Crowd Surfing Image
Ian Gingras – Live Crowd Image
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