British progressive metal outfit Monuments have launched an “SOS” crowdfunding campaign, after claiming the now-cancelled Soundwave Festival still owes them money for their efforts at Soundwave 2015 earlier this year.
In a statement regarding their “SOS” GoFundMe crowdfunding page, Monuments say that while they had “an AMAZING time” at Soundwave 2015, they haven’t been paid in full for their time, and have struggled to get in contact with Soundwave promoter AJ Maddah.
“We’ve tried our best to keep contact with AJ Maddah/Soundwave Festival but now that #SW16 has gone down the tubes and he is not responding to any of our mails — there is no reason to think he will ever pay us,” the band say.
“We’ve been juggling bills since the beginning of the year — waiting for them to pay up but we are now at a point where we have no other choice than to ask for your help.”
Figures released by Music Feeds show how much money Soundwave 2015 acts are believed to be owed, and, according to Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) documents from a meeting of Soundwave creditors, Monuments were owed AUD$19,153 as of 7th October this year.
“We aren’t the biggest or best band in the world — but we are a very dedicated band that has given 200% of our time and dedication to get our music out there — so for us this is a HUGE amount of money that we do not have and couldn’t have come at a worse time,” Monuments say. “For a small band like us this is like losing a million dollars.”
Monuments’ “SOS” crowdfunding page has raised almost £2,000 at the time of writing, on its way to a goal of £14,000. The band say any funds they raise will go towards helping them pay back friends and family who loaned them money for their trip to Australia, as well as catching up on bills so they can focus on their third studio album and upcoming US and European tours.
Soundwave 2016 was officially cancelled yesterday “due to poor ticket sales”, after increasing doubts were raised over the festival’s financial future. Promoter AJ Maddah has also said the festival “definitely” won’t go ahead in 2017.
To contribute to Monuments’ crowdfunding campaign, head to GoFundMe. Catch the band’s behind-the-scenes video of Soundwave 2015 in Melbourne, below.
Watch: Monuments – Soundwave Melbourne 2015 (Behind The Scenes)
