Lefsetz has some choice language for record execs that don’t understand why there are still ten illegal downloads of a hit song for each paid download. And he wonders why nobody in the mainstream media’s writing/thinking about why this whole DRM issue is so absurd.
That’s probably because most folks working in “mainstream” journalism share the [...]
Hem has been honing their sound — a blend of etherial vocals and Americana — for close to seven years now. DreamWorks signed them in 2003, but couldn’t make their records click at radio. Luckily, they’ve moved on to Rounder, and they’re selling all three of their albums at their site.
“Half Acre,” a song from [...]
Yes, back when guys like Cousin Brucie and Dick Clark could open a mic and cause a Sam Goody stampede, radio (and TV) could dictate what records flew off store shelves. Not today. Focus groups and sales forecasts determine what goes on an FM playlist. So if you’re still trying to exert yourself to get [...]
Thousands of artists use CD Baby’s digitial distribution program to get their music into iTunes, Rhapsody and other digital stores. Today, CD Baby posted a streamlined version of their DD agreement. Among the changes are: improved readability, ringtones and an easier-to-grasp term length. They’ve also removed language and items that were suggestions and not required [...]
Michael Tarlowe started his independent label Virt Records in 2001 with a tight focus on the Triple-A and performing songwriter markets. Virt’s modest roster includes critically acclaimed artists Vienna Teng, Shane Nicholson and Brenda Weiler. New releases from husband-wife duo Ellery and San Francisco folk-popsters The Bittersweets are planned for 2006.
When I discovered that Virt [...]
Here’s a report that American Idol finalists typically have poor record sales and that labels are hesitant to offer contracts to former AI contestants.
Of course, “poor record sales” can mean different things to different people:
Second-season singer, third-place finisher Kimberley Locke, has sold approximately 209,000 copies of One Love, but after her, the next-best loser is [...]
Over at David Hooper’s weblog, a debate: should you use your photo of yourself on your CD cover art? David says no, and I agree.
This was something I debated each time I got ready to release a new CD. Dare I put my smiling mug on the cover? In the end, I always decided not [...]
From now on, you’ll be able to buy CD Baby albums through BestBuy.com or in the store itself. For those of you unfamiliar with CD Baby, it’s an online record store based out of Oregon that sells CDs by independent musicians. An organization that sells CDs that come only from the musicians [...]
Years ago, Derek Sivers of CD Baby created a website called Marketing Your Music, and it remains one of my favorite bookmarks. I consider it a must-read for anyone try to “do something” with music. Why more people don’t know about this website, I’ll never know.
Just a handful of my favorite posts:
What has worked on [...]
“Dude, how did you get Amazon to carry your CD?”
There’s no secret to getting your CD sold through Amazon. Kevin Kelly wrote a step-by-step guide over at his Cool Tools website over a year ago. For US$30 a year plus a percentage of each sale, Amazon will stock and ship your CD through the Amazon [...]
