Sellaband is a dutch company that helps a new, or old artist fund their goals of getting their music out.
www.sellaband.com
http://www.sellaband.com/pages/how_it_works
An artist doesn't have to go directly to an traditional record company anymore if they want to record an album. So called believers of a band or singer songwriter can support their favourite artist, also by donating a bit of money to help them record a cd. You get their music in return, either as mp3's...