“Free” Thinker: Tunecore’s Jeff Price
(UPDATED WITH STATS) As part of a week long exploration into the meaning and value of
"free", Hypebot asked some of the music industry's most forward
thinkers about the value and future of free music and it's place in helping the industry return to profitability. Here Jeff Price, the CEO and founder of discount flat free digital distributor Tunecore responds:
"1) i don't believe "free is here to stay", as "free" was always here.
Labels always gave away music for free – either via mailing promo CDs, handing our free cassingles or CDs at gigs, giving away music for free to radio stations, retail stores or other outlets, giving away free music videos to MTV or other outlets, free master use placement, bundling giveaway CDs with cereal or other products etc.
Not to mention bands like the Grateful Dead and Phish.
2) I disagree strongly with the statement that the industry is not profitable – it is. In just one month, bands and digital only labels are generating tens of thousands of dollars,recouping their costs more quickly and making a healthy profit on top. Revenue is being generated from MUSIC SALES in unprecedented amounts allowing labels and artists to have real careers and earn significant annual income.
It has never been like this before, and its amazing. More money is being generated and more companies and people are making money from it than ever before.
In addition, overhead costs and risk is way down (no: co-ops, returns, up front manufacturing costs, distribution fees, print or radio ad costs, banner ad costs etc. The costs of music recording and production are also way down).
This is not hyperbole, this is empirical data based on the sales of TuneCore customers. see below for a quick snapshot of about 300 TuneCore customers – this excludes data from tens of thousands more.) All that being said, traditionally record labels make people famous and then monetize that fame. The question should be how can revenue be generated off the fame. One msignificant way is by doing what TuneCore is doing, connecting bands with sponsors. Have the bands opt in at their discretion to drive their fans to a sponsors webpage for a "free" download of a song with the sponsor compensating the band for the traffic.
This new income stream can be compounded with income from gigs, merch, public performance income, copyright etc."
TUNECORE CUSTOMER MUSIC SALES BY ARTISTS FOR JUST THE MONTH OF JANUARY, 2009 REPORTED IN MARCH, 2009
- Artist
- Album
- Albums Sold
- Songs Sold
The Boxer Rebellion
Union
14829
13677
Nevershoutnever!
Demo-shmemo
38
81499
Boyce Avenue
Acoustic Sessions: Vol. 1
122
66392
3OH!3
3oh!3
46
67687
Lecrae
Rebel
2982
46000
Jason Mraz
Jason Mraz Live & Acoustic 2001
2724
28847
Jay-Z
Reasonable Doubt
2123
38026
David Byrne & Brian Eno
Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
2869
6848
Rosi Golan
The Drifter and the Gypsy
1541
23138
William Fitzsimmons
The Sparrow And The Crow
1930
12325
Soulja Unit
Crack A Bottle
5
31595
Colt Ford
Ride Through The Country
867
27387
Music for Deep Sleep
Tranquil Vibrations of Deep Resonant Chimes Ocean Waves Rain and Thunder
2082
1804
Music for Deep Meditation
Tibetan Singing Bowl
1952
2390
Ron Pope
The District
462
21132
Chase Coy
Dear Juliet – EP
244
17446
My Favorite Highway
The Pre-release
733
20937
MGMT
Time To Pretend EP
47
25962
Stereo Skyline
Stereo Skyline EP
3
18380
Millionaires
Bling Bling Bling!
13
28566
AC/dB
T.N.T.
74
20275
Josh Kelley
Backwoods
915
10439
Ringtones & More
Ringtones & More Part. 6: More Animals
319
11835
Far
Pony
0
15709
Slade
Get Yer Boots On
482
9522
Kelly
Shoes
154
16720
Katt Willams
Katt Williams: Pimp Chronicles Pt. 1
1008
4193
Erick Brown
Maintain An Erection Go All Night Long Self-hypnosis
1241
1015
t.A.T.u.
Happy Smiles
755
10554
Girl Talk
Feed the Animals
1136
65284
AC/dB Does AC/DC
AC/DC Tribute
1
11689
Trip Lee
20/20
764
17727
nickasaur!
RAWR!
7
16097
A Rocket To The Moon
Summer 07 EP
7
10380
Blue Scholars
Bayani
492
12536
DJ Murkz
DJ Mukz The Album
1026
60
116 Clique
13 Letters
445
15192
Fusion Body
Strawberry Cough
509
4838
I-Doser.com
Pure Simulations 1
993
333
Josh Ritter
Golden Age Of Radio
627
12322
HYPER CRUSH
The Arcade
431
9853
Nine Inch Nails
The Slip
422
6158
Eminence Symphony Orchestra
Echoes of War: The Music of Blizzard Entertainment Part 1
0
9114
Sky Eats Airplane
Everything Perfect On the Wrong Day
0
14435
Brett Dennen
Brett Dennen
975
12556
Honor Society
The Green Light EP
6
9313
Holiday Parade
Make It Count Single
13
11191
Charlie Winston
I'm A Man (single)
26
6542
Bob and Tom
Donnie Baker and The Pork Pistols – Live!
678
3512
Ziggy Marley
Love Is My Religion
326
5329
Jamestown Story
Broken Summer
92
13263
Brans
Brands
559
2356
Relaxing Piano Music
Relaxing Piano Music
572
4355
MattRach
Mattrach Winter 2008
337
4978
Flight 409
The Waiting
185
6000
Frank Zappa/Zappa
Electric Aunt Jemima
334
3828
Ezemdi A.K.A Z
From The Heart Vol. 1
0
7633
iSweat Fitness Music
Isweat Fitness Music Vol. 14 World Grooves 2-126 Bpm for Running Walking EllipticalTreadmillChill-OutFitnessPilates
563
5736
VersaEmerge
Cities Built On Sand Ep
0
8463
Kim Walker
Here Is My Song
594
1514
Zumba Fitness
Party Nation: World Music By Zumba Fitness
128
8129
Ahanu Music for Spa Massage Meditation Tai Chi and Relaxation
Ahanu Music for Spa Massage Meditation Tai Chi and Relaxation
544
1339
Piano Tribute Conservatory
Piano Tribute Collection: Jonas Brothers
65
7251
Jeffree Star
Cupcakes Taste Like Violence – EP
26
12610
Blood On The Dance Floor
Suicide Club
215
4311
Ring Tone Ringtones
Vocal Ringtone 13 (Full Song Ring Tones)
64
5156
Kill Paradise
The Effect
4
10186
Right Away Great Captain!
The Bitter End
158
5323
Steve Vai
Naked Tracks Vol. 5 (The Ultra Zone / Real Illusions – Mixes With No Lead Guitar)
347
5556
Sounds for Life
Tibetan Singing Bowl For Meditation
52
6736
ApologetiX
Grace Period
228
10188
White Noise Meditation
Waterfall Entrainment
201
6834
Jon Young & J. Cash
The Legacy Volume 1
115
15858
Backseat Goodbye
Good Morning Sunshine
241
6025
Splendor of Meditation
Healing Sounds of Ocean Waves and Waterfall With Swaramandala
404
1802
B-Hamp
Do the Ricky Bobby
35
9529
Katt Williams
Katt Williams: American Hustle
569
0
Ringtone Heaven
Ringtone Gold Mine – 100 Rare and Original Ringtone Sounds
187
3285
An Endless Sporadic
Ameliorate
11
7769
Runner Runner
Your Greatest Hits EP
7
5754
S.K.
The Proper Geez Mixtape
526
7
Boys Will Be Boys
Word On The Street Single
1
5561
David Sides
The Collection Volume 1
226
4545
Indelible Grace Music
Pilgrim Days: Indelible Grace II
277
3480
Baby Ringtones
Baby Ringtones 2
1
4551
Shai Linne
Storiez
455
1561
Dj Wilko
EP Album
499
41
Music For Deep Sleep
Healing Sounds Of Nature: Ocean Waves
493
0
The Main Drag
Yours As Fast As Mine
207
6145
God Is An Astronaut
God Is An Astronaut
325
3058
iwrestledabearonce
Iwrestledabearonce
10
6269
In Fear and Faith
Voyage
0
4655
Minus the Bear
Acoustics
27
10929
GRITS
Reiterate
233
8489
Retro Remix Revue
Retro Remix Revue Volume 1
126
4196
Public Enemy
How You Sell Soul To a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul?
109
6463
The Bella Cullen Project
The Bella Cullen Project
156
2897
Shiz-roc
Reality Rap (The Mix Tape)
7
4263
Lights Out Dancing
Oh the Places You'll Go
7
4832
Powerglove
Metal Kombat for the Mortal Man
149
5988
Bikram Choudhury
Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class Vol. 2
424
10
Nathan Angelo
Through Playing Me
178
2520
Callahan
The Calm Before The Storm
1
4697
X5 Dubs
Quick Ting Album Vol 1
396
2
Recording Productions
Rcp Tones (Volume 1)
15
3284
Pretty Lights
Filling Up The City Skies (disc 2)
287
1668
Sage Francis
Road Tested: Live 2003-2005
223
6169
Ali Lohan
All The Way Around
10
6694
Kristene Mueller
Those Who Dream
7
3784
Tommy Emmanuel
Endless Road
255
802
Ian McIntosh
Awakened
290
3905
The District
The District
138
2616
The Jakes
Shake My Hand
19
4229
The Summer Set
Meet Me On The Left Coast
4
6171
John Mark McMillan
The Medicine
11
4817
Savannah Outen
Goodbyes
1
5023
Joshua James
B-sides It's Dark Outside
0
3659
Music for Deep Relaxation
Meditation On Tranquility: Most Beautiful Classical Indian Music and the Santoor Mastery of Dr. Sunil Katti
149
4363
Classical New Age Piano Music
Classical New Age Piano and Cello Duets
266
3952
Brave Saint Saturn
Anti-meridian
3382160
J Boog
Hear Me Roar
134
2165
Garry Schyman
Praan
33
4178
Electric Valentine
the Friends With Benefits Ep
2
4053
Jon Young
Take A Chance On Me
0
6632
Grieves
88 Keys and Counting
287
575
Ben Rector
Twenty Tomorrow
189
1701
Natural White Noise for Babies
1 Hour: Rain Sounds to Help Your Baby Sleep
71
3036
Personal Running Trainer
4 Weeks To 1 Mile Training Program
343
59
Doug Benson
Professional Humoredian
324
2713
Under The Flood
The Witness
2
3518
Damone
Roll The Dice
321
174
You Me and Everyone We Know
Party For The Grown and Sexy
7
4106
Common Market
Common Market
153
3485
Mitch Fatel
Miniskirts and Muffins
305
3790
Katchafire
Say What You're Thinking
202
1219
Doomtree
False Hopes
264
2001
The Relaxing Classical Music Collection
Mental Mozart: Classical Music to Make You Smarter
203
1176
Slow Runner
Mermaids
30
3401
Select Start
Giving Up On Thinking Clearly
28
3848
Ari Hest
Winter Songs From 52
157
5404
Right Side of the Tree
The Novo Project
237
774
Ace Enders and a Million Different People
Bittersweet Symphony
0
3058
cornbread red
Running Against The Wind
100
2451
izzy stradlin
Concrete
43
2491
Viva Stereo
Optimism Is Not A Curse
302
7
Goot
Asleep At the Wheel
59
3498
Sleepy Sun
Embrace
0
3000
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head
Glistening Pleasure
189
2786
Racing Kites
Sampler '08
1
3241
the do
A Mouthful
221
970
Jack Off Jill
Humid Teenage Mediocrity (a Collection of Early Joj Recordings 1992-1996)
171
4036
Capitol Steps
O Christmas Bush
207
2153
Sweatshop Union
Water Street
249
1563
The Title
Making a Scene
73
2156
Calmsound
Nature Sounds
22
8316
Gabriel Antonio
Ride For Me
1
3393
Midnight Sun (Twilight Inspired Artist)
Forever & Eternity
23
2628
Jackopierce
Jackopierce
215
1620
Bryan Greenberg
Hmmm Single
158
1658
Emily Wells
The Symphonies: Dreams Memories & Parties
8
3542
Sho Baraka
Turn My Life Up
167
2427
Jimmy Swaggart
Jesus Just The Mention Of Your Name
47
5870
The Cataracs
The 13th Grade EP
46
3020
Swimming With Dolphins
Ambient Blue
4
2725
Ingrid Michaelson
Giving Up – Single
12
3557
ANDY TAYLOR
Thunder [Original 1987 Format]
43
2836
Unhindered
Unhindered Live Worship Experience
6
2600
Mae
Destination: Beautiful
178
2314
Sunset Shootout
Sunset Shootout – EP
0
2624
Ekolu
Down In The Valley
81
3277
Splendor of Meditation for Weight Loss
Guided Meditation Using Self Hypnosis Techniques and Yoga Nidra Relaxation for Weight Loss With Dr. Siddharth Shah
267
3
Brightwood
Wake
107
2307
Old Crow Medicine Show
Live
121
3590
Ice Cube
Raw Footage
156
692
Catherine Feeny
Empty Buildings EP
102
3884
The Last Vegas
High Class Trash
193
1233
Garvey
Goodbye Horses – The Garvey Remixes
5
2498
Prophet
Reach For The Sky (Radio)
0
2538
Ooklah The Moc
Vaults
207
926
Black Lab
Passion Leaves a Trace
131
3666
Ten Feet
Island Feeling Part II
76
3194
GREYCOATS
Setting Fire To The Great Unknown
108
1850
Waterdeep
Heart Attack Time Machine
229
2812
Time Tells All
Spread The Word
1
2482
Jonathan David Helser
Walk Through the Walls
225
643
Hadouken!
Music For An Accelerated Culture
141
1005
Harry and the Potters
Harry and the Potters and the Power of Love
136
1071
Earl Nightingale
Lead the Field
238
19
Dorrough Music
Ice Cream Paint Job
18
3512
k-Drama
Boombaptism
171
2031
Kristian Stanfill
Hello
5
2960
All Time Favorite Children's Songs
All Time Favorite Children's Songs
146
2163
Capitol Risk
Dream EP
0
2329
The Band Of Heathens
The Band Of Heathens
160
2738
The Dodos
Beware Of The Maniacs
186
470
A Place to Bury Strangers
A Place To Bury Strangers
23
3438
Zac Brown Band
Chicken Fried
975
59283
pat mcgee band
These Days ( The Virginia Sessions)
5
3185
Nickasaur!
Carry On Monday!
0
4008
David Ryan Harris
The Bittersweet
131
971
Person L
Initial
7
3025
tabi Bonney
Dope
304
433
University of Notre Dame Band of the Fighting Irish
Fight Songs of Notre Dame
4
2833
Moby
Go- The Very Best Of Moby
112
4045
Various Artists
Crank That Online Album
17
4058
Hayes Carll
Little Rock
142
2748
A Rotterdam November
A Rotterdam November
124
2350
Lucy Wainwright Roche
8 More
0
2186
DJ Dalamar
Back Again (Deluxe Edition)
163
545
CHELSEA GRIN
Chelsea Grin Self-titled EP
1
3364
Kovas
The Arrogance Of Youth EP
8
2720
Stacy Wilde
Tear Down The Sky
47
2814
TNA Wrestling
3rd Degree Burns: The Music of Tna Wrestling Vol.1
71
1470
The BPA
Toe Jam – Single
91
1808
Balance Problems
Separate Chapters
0
3109
Klaus
Healing Waters
114
1000
Pachelbel's Canon In D Major
Pachelbel's Canon In D Major (piano)
9
2935
Reef The Lost Cauze
A Vicious Cycle
151
617
Lynam
Tragic City Symphony
69
2540
Detektivbyrån
Wermland
165
1342
HelenaMaria
Love Story (Taylor Swift)
0
2007
The Spin Cycle
The Ink Victory EP
0
2157
Bradley Hathaway
The Thing That Poets Write About The Thing That Singers Sing About
90
1506
Fat Pimp
Rack Daddy
9
3585
The Years Gone By
Online Exclusive
2
2338
VibeSquaD
Bass Love
174
548
DJ NuWave
Kill The Silence
23
2100
Andrew Peterson
The Far Country
120
2018
Jeremy Messersmith
The Alcatraz Kid
159
1012
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Bad Reputation
44
1560
Four Year Strong
Demo 2005
0
1963
Bentley
Everybody (Feat. Kanye West Andre 3000)
0
1944
Lelia Broussard
Rise
67
1968
David Choi
Only You
171
1172
Bif Naked
I Bificus
77
2107
Stephen Jerzak
The Sky High EP
0
1906
Just Surrender
Stronger Now
2
2399
Braddigan
The Captive
137
1310
Katie Costello
Kaleidoscope Machine
131
598
Jody Breeze
No More Secrets
104
3131
Sworn
EP
5
2324
Allred
Parades
71
1158
Marvin Winans Jr.
You Never Let Me Down
118
1684
Mary & Richard Maddux
Pure Relaxation: Guided Meditations for Body Mind & Spirit
190
57
Willy Chirino
Pa'lante
69
1963
The Follow Through
The "It's About
Time!" EP
0
1861
Barack Obama
Barack Obama’s Speech On Race : A More Perfect Union
196
518
Shakatak
Night Birds
67
1955
The Fastest Kid Alive
Girls Just Want To Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper Cover)
1
1967
Lullaby Land
White Noise 03 – Sounds of Tranquility
75
49269
Wideawake
Something We Can't Let Go
151
665
The American Dollar
A Memory Stream
134
859
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fungus
164
691
Northern Illinois University Wind Ensemble
Music for Winds & Percussion Volume 6
70
1090
John Robinson
Who Is This Man?
138
598
Oh No! Oh My!
Oh No! Oh My!
99
778
Lemonade
Lemonade
36
1579
Hana Pestle
Hana Pestle
13
2152
Love Is All
A Hundred Things Keep Me Up At Night
136
411
Lil' O
Betcha Can't Do It (Clean)
10
2461
Happy Louie and Julcia's Polka Band / Happy Louie
Happy Louie and Julcia's Greatest Polkas – Volume 1
3
2167
Rhythm Rhyme Results
Math (Disc 1)
106
718
Hurry! Lets Go
This May Be Our Scene EP
0
1873
Seven Story Fall
The Getaway
0
1675
kay kay and his weathered underground
Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground
153
299
Json
Life On Life
133
1375
Scenes And Sirens
The South Will Dance Again
0
2454
Blake & Kate
Letters and Words E.P.
1
1655
Oj Da Juiceman & DJ Drama
Culinary Art School
93
724
Joshua Kadison
Return Of The Dragonfly
98
1483
Steve Acho
Billy Joel – Elton John Tribute
47
1805
Chris Crocker
Mind In The Gutter
0
1664
Tedashii
Kingdom People
110
3507
Workout Music
Workout Music For Weightlifting and Cardio: Urban Instrumentals
95
3254
Finch
Self Titled
10
2005
Jill Phillips
Nobody's Got It All Together
44
2074
Trent Cory
Freedom Is
115
900
Final Fantasy
Spectrum 14th Century
30
1408
Three Plus
Honey Baby
4
3437
Amy Kuney
Bird's Eye View
88
988
A Bird A Sparrow
A Bird A Sparrow
0
2936
Neverending White Lights
Act 1: Goodbye Friends of the Heavenly Bodies
97
1186
Paolo Parrella
Blue Piano
0
1650
Best Nature Sounds
Natural Journey
173
1888
St. Lola in the Fields
Little Breaks / Little Bends EP
1
1743
En Espíritu y en Verdad
Luz Y Salvación
86
924
1 Hour Music
Piano Music for Massage
127
1268
The Low Life
Live At Recher Theatre
103
1713
Represent!
The Action That You Need EP
0
1657
7 Days Away
Death Cannot Seperate
64
3221
The Icarus Account
Hold On for Dear Life EP
88
715
This Century
Look What We Made
4
2871
Hyper Static Union
Meet Him In the Air
41
1079
Ray Wylie Hubbard
Snake Farm
69
782
Burning Spear
Jah Is Real
119
321
The Material
Tomorrow
17
1572
Chanticleer
Our Heart's Joy: A Chanticleer Christmas
85
1110
A Change Of Pace
Just No Better Way
0
3176
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
Slow Down
121
958
Piano Ringtones
Piano Ringtones 2
41
1001
Jimmy Robbins
Too Sorry for Apologies
1
1841
We As Human
Burning Satellites
9
1398
Goodnight Nurse
Keep Me On Your Side
53
1613
DANE COOK
I'll Never Be You
2
2233
Aslyn
The Grand Garden EP Phase 2
4
1823
The Evil Genius DJ Green Lantern
Liberty City Invasion (Music From and Inspired By Grand Theft Auto Iv)
72
1885
Over the Rhine
The Darkest Night of the Year
113
2486
Ahanu Sleep Music
Sleep Music: Relaxing Music to Help You Sleep
107
2339
Ahanu
Sleep Music: Relaxing Music to Help You Sleep
107
2339
Settings
Elusion
2
1389
Jazz Fiction
Winter Lounge
55
715
Jason Karaban
Sobriety Kills
108
859
Vega Under Fire
Life Of The Party
0
1770
Paul Wright
Kingdom Come
56
1187
Freshman Fifteen
The Green Album
41
1348
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Medium Rare
100
1970
Illson the Imortill
Why So Serious?
0
1686
Kurt Rosenwinkel
The Remedy – Live At The Village Vanguard (disc 1)
136
172
The Rosewood Thieves
Lonesome
2
1365
Sean Feucht
Seattle Sessions
120
234
Dance Club Massacre
Feast of the Blood Monsters
54
1940
Benefit
Benefit Special Edition
76
1633
Bassnectar
Heads Up
9
1491
Young Jeezy & DJ Infamous
The Prime Minister
72
622
Conditions
Conditions EP
2
1765
Marc Broussard
Momentary Setback
0
3161
Manchester Orchestra
You Brainstorm I Brainstorm But Brilliance Needs A Good Editor
1
1921
Asteria
A Lesson In Charades
24
1615
The Heavy Pets
Whale (Part One)
47
1406
Esterlyn
Lamps
55
1894
john5
Requiem
7
1425
Macallee King
Frosty
3
1569
DEXTER FREEBISH
The Other Side – The Best of Dexter Freebish
102
339
Shawn Smith
Shield Of Thorns
76
683
Matt Cusson
Matt Cusson
110
605
Ill Bill
What's Wrong With Bill?
83
1331
The Sessions
The Sessions Is Listed As In a Relationship
1
1335
Judie Tzuke
The Essential Rocket Years
21
1122
Tipper
Tip Hop
106
220
Matt Bauer
The Island Moved In The Storm
62
901
Shaimus
The Sad Thing Is We Like It Here
10
1189
Paul F. Tompkins
Impersonal
125
1911
Grand Ole Party
Humanimals
93
757
Amateur Transplants
London Underground
0
1264
Maria Schneider
Sky Blue
120
61
jeremy ashida
Jeremy Ashida
52
741
The Lordz
The Brooklyn Way
34
1216
Ringtones
Ringtones Lp
0
1267
The Real You
Better Now Than Never EP
0
1343
Elisa Jordana
Introducing Elisa Jordana
24
1470
VAGIANT (Boston)
Public Display Of Infection
5
1226
Scotty Don't
Songs From The Back Porch
104
372
Dr. Hollywood
Under the Counter
0
1361
Secret Secret Dino Club
My Moves Are Delicious
0
1361
Basil Poledouris
Quigley Down Under
84
416
Autolux
Future Perfect
81
671
Jay Nash
The Things You Think You Need
59
1034
HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBLE
Flipside
11
1101
A Letter To You
A Letter To You EP
1
1270
Angelo Badalamenti & David Lynch
Twin Peaks: Season Two Music And More
99
258
Hello Demons..meet skeletons
Chills
7
1379
Maps & Atlases
You And Me And The Mountain
13
1131
Joey Ryan
Good Enough
39
948
Love Is a Story
The Science of Sound
4
1151
SUNNY LEDFURD
A Tradition Like No Other
0
1474
The Arrival
Believe The Hype
0
1198
Good With Grenades
Identity
2
1153
The Strange Familiar
Secret Life
6
1535
Harp And Lyre
Harp And Lyre
0
1240
Aaron Sledge
Da Light
75
697
BONEZ
Voicemail
78
1081
Poe
Hello
81
405
Young and Divine
Young and Divine
51
1100
TV/TV
Something To Get Excited About
2
1147
Draco and the Malfoys
Draco and the Malfoys
64
626
Ivory
Ivory EP
1
1261
Bebo Valdés & Javier Colina
Live At The Village Vanguard
101
524
Wayna
Moments Of Clarity
78
693
Rock n Roll Soldiers
So Many Musicians To Kill
37
1125
Push Play
Dear Santa
1
1802
Eddie Kirkland
Orthodoxy
53
583
A Loss For Words
These Past Five Years
0
1107
Ludacris
Ludacrismas
2
1119
Joe Burgess
Hoes Incredible Mixes
11
1006
American Indian Music
Native American Drums
63
479
Disfiguring the Goddess
Promo Ep
0
1098
Metropolitan Lounge
Metropolitan Lounge
45
674
The Tony Danza Tap Dance Extravagnza
Danza II The Electric Boogaloo
89
501
Moving Mountains
Foreword
13
1422
John Heffron
Kid With a Cape
106
666
Mambo Sauce
Pre – Release Single
10
1658
Danny Michel
Feather Fur & Fin
30
1094
Easton
Easton
0
1091
DJ Two
DJ Two Remixes Volume 1
3
2624
The Media Says
Forgive Us If We Make You Smile – EP
1
1458
Animosity
Empires
41
1546
Trusme
Working Nights
77
208
Fernando Varela
Dare to Live
10
1494
Ashley Monroe and Trent Dabbs
Ashley Monroe and Trent Dabbs
5
1667
Breaking Wheel
Breaking Wheel
27
1359
Project 86
This Time of Year EP
9
1350
in reply to #1)
Yes, free was always there. It’s just that now, everything could be free. So it’s important to showcase to potential customers the benefits that they get when they don’t just go for the free “release” (a/k/a bootleg) but buy the “real thing” instead.
I think an increase in sound quality (resolution as opposed to compression) and song quality itself (be it lyric writing or melody writing or characteristical production techniques) could make a difference for customers. I mean, why does iTunes still get the exclusive bonus tracks when download sales are booming and CD sales are on the decline? Shouldn’t the focus be on stabilizing the core market, which from whatever perspective you view this, CDs still are at the time? So by now, the CDs should get the bonus material.
The majors cannot make it believable to customers that they offer more quality than what can be found for free, as long as they engage in a public hunting season on potential customers (a/k/a the lawsuits against file sharers).
By the way, why are most artists on the majors only putting out albums with a 4 year gap or even more between them? How do they think they can stay in the public eye over that long break? If the majors were releasing more and better product, they most certainly would move more units.
in reply to #2) Yes, there is money being made in music these days, it’s just the majors that are underperforming. But because of their high percentage of market share, the music business doesn’t exactly seem like a boom town to the stock exchanges of the world.
Has anyone used Ditto Music? (www.DittoMusic.com) they have been great for my band and when we looked at CD baby and Tunecore we found that Ditto provide more services and for less.
They do the usual get you on itunes but they can get you on up to 700+ sites including HMV and SPOTIFY, and allow your fans to download a track by texting something like ‘Music’ to a number.
They don’t take a cut, just a small sign up fee.
Would highly recommend them over the rest.