Local entrepreneurs Nick Aufiero, Khayree Billingslea and Seve Zavala are preparing to launch TourKidd, an organization they co-founded which aims to help independent bands book shows and promote their music through its online application.
Billingslea, director of content and strategy for TourKidd, and Zavala met in high school, when Billingslea purchased a shirt from Zavala’s do-it-yourself t-shirt company. Although the t-shirt company is now defunct, that entrepreneurial spirit continued when Zavala met Aufiero while working in Primavera Online Schools’ IT department.
Zavala and Billingslea, an ASU alumnus and English literature senior, respectively, have been involved with numerous bands, while Aufiero, a Savannah College of Art and Design graduate, has participated in other creative ventures.
Billingslea, who worked as a promoter for more than two years, said the idea for TourKidd grew out of a love for music and an awareness of the lack of networking and support for independent bands.
“All of us have a deep interest in music, but I saw a big disconnect between bands and individuals and the independent music community and knowing exactly who you’re going to play for, how you’re going to work this tour out,” Billingslea said. “Basically, it’s really hard to make informed decisions in the dark and independent music, DIY music is a big dark space. It’s not much hard data out there.”
Aufiero cited his own creative interests as a motivational factor for co-founding TourKidd.
“I’m a creative in the professional world and if I were in a cubicle I don’t think I would be as happy or as passionate about my work,” Aufiero said. “I could definitely feel for a musician who couldn’t follow their passion. So really what TourKidd is allowing musicians to perform and live sustainably off of their passion.”
The purpose of the app is for bands to network with not necessarily the “most lucrative” promoter, but “the promoter who is best fit for the band,” Billingslea said.
App users will be able to create a profile as a promoter or a musician in a band and search through a database for promoters associated with a certain region. Musicians will be able to message promoters and rate them after the show has been booked and played, Billingslea said.
The app, which Billingslea describes as “kind of a Yelp/eHarmony for bands and promoters,” will operate under a subscription model. Users will be able to download the app for free and have access to the basic features, or choose to upgrade to the premium subscription for $10 per month and have access to more features. Billingslea did not say what features would be available in the premium version of the service.
Billingslea said he hopes the app will not only be financially successful, but impact the independent music community by helping musicians make a living doing what they love.
“[We want to] make it such that when a kid says ‘Mom, Dad I want to be in a punk band’ they don’t laugh at him or say, ‘You’re crazy,’” Billingslea said.
TourKidd is a part of Seed Spot, a midtown Phoenix incubator focusing on social entrepreneurs. Seed Spot co-founder and CEO Courtney Klein said Seed Spot supports TourKidd and their goals because of their commitment to the independent music community and social impact.
“Our focus is on social impact, so we look for companies that are doing something good for the world, the community, other people,” Klein said. “TourKidd’s passion for helping local artists achieve their dreams is really inspiring.”
Beta testing for the app will begin around March with a tentative launch in August.
Contact the reporter at pkunthar@asu.edu
