Live From The Neptune with STG: Sonic Guild Grant Application

Live At The Neptune with STG: A Sonic Guild Grant

This grant offers one local artist the opportunity to perform live at The Neptune Theatre, have it professionally recorded, and receive a fully-funded vinyl pressing of the performance. This is a career-elevating chance to create a high-quality live album—at no cost to you. We’re looking for an artist with a strong live presence and a clear creative vision who’s ready to turn a night at The Neptune into a powerful, lasting record. Please read the full project brief before applying:
About the Project
Seattle Theatre Group (STG) and Sonic Guild are excited to present Live At The Neptune, a unique opportunity for a local artist to perform at The Neptune Theatre on September 5, 2025, record a live album, and receive a fully-funded vinyl pressing. This project is designed to highlight the strength of Seattle’s music community by providing a platform for an artist to create a high-quality live recording without financial burden.

What The Awardee Receives:
- Live Performance & Recording – A fully produced, professional live recording of your performance at The Neptune Theatre.
- Mixing & Mastering – Your performance will be professionally mixed and mastered for album release, with all costs covered (up to mutually agreed upon rounds of revisions).
- Ownership & Rights – You retain full rights to your music and recordings.
- Vinyl Pressing – A minimum of 250 copies of your live album will be pressed and given to you at no cost, with all production costs covered. Additional pressings available at cost as desired.
- Performance Compensation – A $3,000 guarantee for your performance.
- No Merch Fees – Keep 100% of your merch sales—there are no venue fees.
- Marketing & Design – Promotional costs for the show covered, plus a professional designer from STG for the album cover.
- Branding – Your album will be part of the Live At The Neptune series, aimed at elevating Seattle artists and increasing visibility through Sonic Guild and STG branding.
Application Timeline:
- Project Announce & Applications Open: April 23 – May 7, 2025
- Application Review Period: May 8 – May 23, 2025
- Selected Artist Notified: May 23, 2025
- Show Public Announcement & Onsale: June 9, 2025 @ 10 AM
Selection Criteria

Artistic Merit:
• Quality of music and performance
• Strength of songwriting, arrangement, and musicianship
• Originality and artistic voice

Live Performance Strength:
• Audience engagement and stage presence
• Readiness for a full-scale live show

Impact on Artist’s Career:
• How this opportunity supports growth
• Potential for expanded audience and visibility
• Alignment with long-term goals

Readiness for a Live Album Release:
• Ability to deliver a cohesive, engaging performance
• Preparedness to market and distribute a vinyl release
• Community engagement and fan support

Fit for The Neptune Experience:
• Suitability for the venue
• Capacity to create a memorable live experience
• Ability to draw an audience at Neptune-scale (1000 capacity) venue

Eligibility & Requirements
• Artists must be 18+ with the majority of the group based within 100 miles of Seattle.
• Must be available all day on September 5, 2025 for soundcheck and performance.
• Must perform original music and own full rights to perform and record it.
• Willingness to participate in promotional efforts with Sonic Guild and STG.
• Must collaborate with house production team (engineers, designers, etc.) to support a successful show and album release.

Please refer to the full project brief and FAQ here. Questions? Email k.vanpetten@sonicguild.org
General Information
Name*

First NameLast Name
Artist Name
If your name is different from your artist name, please list it here. If not, you can leave this blank.
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
City and State of Residence?*
Are you available for a full-day commitment on September 5, 2025?

YesNo
Do you meet the eligibility requirements for this grant? Applicants must be 18+, based within 100 miles of Seattle, available on September 5, 2025, with original music and full rights to perform and record, and willing to collaborate on promotional efforts and with the production team for the album release.

YesNo
Artist Information
Share links to your work. Include your website, social media accounts (Instagram, TikTok, etc.), live performance videos, recorded music links, or any other platforms where we can explore your music and performance. Please provide at least one link to a live video and one link to a recorded song; additional links are helpful but not required.*
Please list the top shows you’ve performed in over the last year, including notable venues or events.*
List your most notable music releases, including vinyl, and any live recordings. Please provide links if available.*
Describe the size and engagement level of your current fanbase or community? (Feel free to share the size of your email list, social media following, ticket sales history, or any other relevant information) *
How would this opportunity impact your career and your long-term goals?*
Proposed Performance Information

Please provide us the following information on the band you would like to work with on this project:
What would you call the live album or project you'd like to record at The Neptune? Share the name you have in mind—even if it's just a working title.*
Give a brief overview of your proposed performance. Please include links to at least 3 songs you'd hope to include in the project.*
Tell us about your live performance: What’s the energy like, what are your technical needs, and do you have experience with live recording or vinyl? Are you open to collaborating with our production team?*
Why do you want to participate in the live album project at The Neptune, and what do you hope to achieve? If you have any experience with live recordings or performing for an album release, please provide details here.
If you’re not selected for the grant, would you like to be considered for the opportunity to open the show? We may have additional opportunities for an opener and would love to keep you in mind.

Yes, please consider me for an opportunity to open.No, please only consider my application for the main grant.
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Live At The Neptune with STG: A Sonic Guild Grant

General Information

Artist Information

Proposed Performance Information