Our Mission and Vision
Building the Future of Music
Mission
Sonic Guild builds communities to support the creation and performance of extraordinary new music.
Vision
We envision a network of thriving local chapters across the country, provisioning tens of millions in grants and services to empower artists every year.
About Sonic Guild
MUSIC COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Sonic Guild is a music nonprofit built on a simple but powerful idea: when passionate people come together around live music, extraordinary things happen for artists, for audiences, and for the cities we call home.
Founded in 2013 in Austin, Texas by Colin Kendrick and Matt Ott as Black Fret, Sonic Guild was born from a deep belief that local music is the lifeblood of our communities and musicians are one of our most valuable natural resources. They created something different: a membership community where music lovers come together, contribute annual dues, and directly support working musicians through unrestricted grants. In return, members experience an intimate season of live performances in homes, galleries, and unexpected spaces across their city. Since expanding to Seattle in 2020, Sonic Guild has continued to grow its programs, reach, and ambitions.
It worked! Sonic Guild has distributed over $7,300,000 to date elevating emerging musicians as they build careers. Hundreds of records, tours, shows and more. Over 500 musicians funded to date and counting.
This is what community sounds like!
How It Works
Join
Attend
Support Artists
Members pay annual dues, attend intimate monthly performances, and fund unrestricted annual artist grants that support recording, touring, and other career-building opportunities.
Through this model, we create meaningful connections between artists and patrons — nurturing a music community that thrives on shared experiences, not just transactions.
Our Local LEgacy
How to Support
The Best Way to Support Local Artists
sonic guild
in the press
"Bringing a symphony-style patronage model to local popular music."
"Sonic Guild has made it its mission to offer musicians validation, stages, and $10,000 in grant money."
"A non-profit called Sonic Guild is awarding grants to musicians struggling with the rising cost of living in the city."
"This nonprofit is giving grants to local musicians, no strings attached."
