In last year's MC feature on the Web, we noted that the Internet was still a new
and untamed frontier, and that it was going to take a while before the Internet
found its proper place in the scheme of things. And that this was especially true
in terms of the monetization of music sites in the cyber-marketplace.
It was also noted that because of this, many sites would initially fail in their
attempts to establish themselves. That prediction has certainly borne fruit.
The Web is redefining itself, even as we speak and there is some good news and
some bad news as a result. The good news is that, for the first time, indie/niche
artists really have a place to sell their wares - a place where anyone in the
world can go at any time to buy their music. The bad news is that because this
is still a work in progress, a sure-fire, methodical way to do this has yet to
be determined.
In an attempt to inform you, the MC reader on the best vendor sites to sell your
music by, one fact became evident. That, outside of the few larger businesses,
choices for artists broke down rather quickly into niches - so we just went with
the flow.
The sites listed in this feature are those that 1) continually came up in our
research and 2) were organized enough to get back to us. But let it be known there
are hundreds, if not thousands more vendors out there to chose from.
Ultimately, it is up to you, the MC reader to do a little research on your own
and discover for yourself, which vendor would best suit your "indievidual"
needs.
Niche Markets
Experimental
Sursumcorda.com deals with the experimental music genre. Unlike some of the mass
aggregating "content landfills," the company selects a participation
that reflects their own artistic values, in relation to the quality and the adventurousness
of the music.
Surcumcorda's aim is to present artists and their content in a way that expresses
a unique personality and high-concept aesthetics, while still offering high-integrity
and revenue generating potential. All of this is done in an attempt to broaden
the sites reach to an ever-widening world audience.
The major share of revenue from CD sales or merchandise goes to the artists. Typically,
it is a 70/30 split. They are also a live venue and all shows are net-cast and
archived on the site.
Rick Fuller - Harder/Fuller Films: Rick Fuller, who along with partner/director
Phil Harder, is producer for his music video/film production company. Together,
they have made videos for Matchbox Twenty, Pulp, Barenaked Ladies, Incubus, Foo
Fighters and others. Rick and Phil started a record label in the late 80's - Horse
Latitudes - that Sursumcorda still posts.
Rick had a record label on his own called Earmark that Sursumcorda also hosts.
He lists his film side projects on Sursumcorda as Ausstossen! Films.
"I had a back catalog that included two small record labels and two former
bands. I wanted to make the releases available, but had no interest in dealing
with the store/distribution game. The Internet and Sursumcorda was the perfect
solution."
Sursumcorda also posts the company's music videos, as well as experimental films
and music. "Having these films on the Internet is great… it's an easy
reference when people want to see our work ASAP."
Rick says that it's never really been an issue of money. "I just want the
material to be available. I've never been paid, as I consider Sursumcorda hosting
my film work as a great trade off.
Classical
LudwigVanWeb.com is the only Internet site dedicated to the independent classical
recording community. This includes the hosting of catalogs, the promotion of product
and distribution.
LVW is one of the few MP3 sites where copyright laws are respected and where music
can be downloaded without breaking the law. The company has recently introduced
Ludwig Pros, the professional musicians' online directory for the promotion and
distribution of individual artists and their work.
Currently by invitation only - but shortly to be launched as a subscription service
at around $200/year - the Ludwig Pros online directory showcases artists through
a series of Web pages accessed directly from the site's Home Page. It features
multiple photo shots, bios, concert schedules, repertoires' as well as CD and
concert reviews.
In partnership with their agents or publishers, a dedicated e-mail link is provided
for concert bookings and private commissions. Excerpts of tracks from artists'
CDs, video clips and scores are featured as part of the service.
New Age/World
Although Hearts Of Space is an indie label - not a vendor - it would have been
a travesty to leave this company out of the loop. HOS was a progressive forerunner
in the formation of the indie/niche market on the Internet.
HOS was launched in 1984, following the success of their radio program and catalog
business. From the start, the focus was on creating a quality-oriented, independent
label featuring a select group of artists.
HOS grew out of Jim Hill's fascination with contemplative music. Their recordings
began appearing on Billboard's Top Adult Alternative Albums Charts in 1990, first
in New Age and later on Adult Alternative. Their CD, Celtic Twilight charted for
130 weeks, and ranked as Billboard's #1 Indie New Age Album.
Since its inception, HOS has sought out and presented new talent from around the
world including electro-acoustic artists from Germany, Austria, France, Spain,
Switzerland, England, Japan and more.
Influences and directions range from Electronic Space and Dark Ambient to Archaic
Revival and Native American.
To organize this, HOS has diversified into Hearts of Space, World Class, Fathom,
RGB and others. The labels were sold to Valley Entertainment in 2000 but Hill
continues to handle the A&R and production end. August of 2001 saw the launch
of a subscription-streaming service featuring access to the enormous Hearts of
Space Archive.
Hans
Christian - Producer/Instrumentalist - "I met Stephen Hill when I was offering
a solo album to Hearts Of Space. My first impression was that he had very defined
opinion that cut to the chase. So I doubted whether we would ever hook up in an
artist/label relationship."
"Much later, I called to see what he was looking for and he said 'a female
singer in an {East} Indian context.' This coincided with a project that I had
been working on called RASA. While sitting in his mastering room, he turned and
said, "That's it." I could sense a deep love for what I was offering
him."
"Devotion turned out to be a very successful album. Not only was it chosen
by Amazon to be the 'Best New Age CD of 2000,' but it also found an audience all
over the country."
Throughout this period, Christian says that RASA received the lion's share of
resources, both financially and personally. "The contracts are always straight
forward, and HOS's accounting record is impeccable."
Women
WOMANROCK.com was formed to create opportunities for the development of women
in music. Brenda Kahn - a former Columbia Records recording artist - launched
the company in 1999, as a way to connect artists with one another.
WomanRock offers distribution services for artists in addition to branding, marketing
opportunities and corporate sponsorship. The company has tried to expand their
existing marketplace for developing female musicians, while providing access to
quality music.
WR is a little different because, from the get-go, they admit to being a for-profit
business. Brenda says that as an artist, she understands artists' needs - how
they talk, what they wear and what interests them. Her goal is to help people
and part of that means being profitable.
As an Internet record store, they sell CDs but also provide an artist page, which
you can update at any time. WR help promote your music with sound clips and MP3
files. Your CDs will be shipped though CD Baby, and if you're already a member
of CD Baby, you can register at WomanRock at a discounted rate.
WR charges a one-time $35.00 registration fee. They take $4.00 on each sale. Sales
reports go out with every artist's check and clients are notified when their stock
is low.
Gothic
Metropolis mail order at www.industrial-music.com, is the mail-order branch of
the American Industrial/Gothic record label.
The company's mail order service grew out of the record store, Digital Underground
that catered to a niche audience with a huge selection of domestic and imported
Gothic and Industrial music.
Initially, Metropolis published a quarterly catalog, then switched to a Web appearance/service
in 1996. As their label grew, so did their mail order service, resulting in the
decision to close the Digital Underground retail store and concentrate solely
on providing a top-notch Goth-related service and selection.
The design of the site concentrates on functionality and speed rather than bells
and whistles. They plan a Web design update for late 2002, including track listings
and Real Audi clips. The sites' staff processes hundreds of orders daily - shipping
most within 24 hours of receipt.
Country
MilesofMusic.com specializes in indie, Alt-Country, Roots-Rock Americana and Pop.
Proprietor, Corrie Gregory states that their group is made up of a bunch of old
punk rockers as well as traditional country fans so their scope has a fairly wide
range. If you have a release that you think is right for MoM, you are asked to
send in a copy of your CD, along with any press kit or other information you might
have.
As you can imagine, MoM is deluged with submissions but unlike other similar country
sites, they only accept a select few. Their policy?...they will definitely listen
to your music, but will only get back to you if they decide to add your CD to
the companies catalog.
There is no charge to become a MoM artist - they simply have to like your music.
MoM generally takes about 30 to 35 % of the retail price and also has a co-op
advertising opportunity that they will consider for barter.
Seth
Rothchild/Little Recordings: "I initially found out about MoM, as a resource
for finding good new music - even before they were selling our records. Simultaneous
to this...Gingersol (his band) finished our first record. It all kind of made
sense.
In terms of us selling our records on the site, they have given us a generous
amount of Web space and have big lists of people to send it to. When Nothing Stops
Moving came out...it got us press and other opportunities.
We often run into people who say, 'Oh, Gingersol, Miles of Music told us about
you guys...' It's a great way for bands without labels to be heard.
They have a niche that is respected, so if they put your record on their site,
lots of people will hear it. If it's good, people will also probably buy it."
Regarding the finances, he says, "for us it makes sense, both of us do well.
I think that they are extraordinarily enthusiastic and care about what they do...it's
nice that there are still people on the business side of things who appreciate
the music they put out."
Hip-Hop
Dorsey West launched HomeTownHipHop.com in March of 2001. As a Hip-Hop record
label owner and producer, Dorsey discovered how difficult it was to market, promote,
and sell records beyond the local level - that is until the boom of e-commerce.
He then recognized an opportunity to create a viable sales and distribution channel
for independent Hip-Hop artists. HomeTownHipHop gives professional quality artists
a market to sell their music.
The company currently pays independent labels $8.00 for each full-length album
sold through their site. If an album's barcode is registered, sales are then reported
to SoundScan. SoundScan numbers can play a vital role in achieving an independent
record labels' goal of obtaining major distribution.
HomeTownHipHop pays labels at the beginning of each month for records sold during
the previous month. The company does not actually own the CDs/records that are
sold through the site, so the product always remains the property of the independent
label and can be returned at any time.
This method of distribution insures that indie labels can retain complete control.
HomeTownHipHop has taken the "out of the trunk" sales strategy of many
successful independent Hip-Hop record labels and enhanced it for the information
age.
Folk
EfolkMusic.com started in order to fulfill what Chris Frank felt was a gap in
the needs of folk indie artists and labels. These days, most of the large, traditional
music retail stores do not allow for much of a folk selection - or any niche market
for that matter.
By striving to leverage their infrastructure, eFolk found that it was possible
to make folk music available to the 100 million plus Internet shoppers who seek
it.
efolkMusic offers a unique, filtered catalog of traditional and contemporary folk,
bluegrass, Celtic, children's and related music available in a downloadable file
as well as on CD's.
For their artists, efolkMusic acts as an e-commerce facilitator. They streamline
the process of putting artists in touch with their customers. efolkMusic provides
an alternative to your run of the mill record stores, with a tasteful selection
of the some of best folk music available.
The site works on consignment - they take 5.00 off of the top. From the beginning,
eFolk felt that their success would be in downloads. The cost is ninety-eight
cents per track but they offer multi-packs - 5 songs for 4.50 - 20 songs for 15.00.
They split the revenue 50-50. As an added feature, they provide the artist with
the e-mail address of anyone who downloads their music.
Don
Dixon - Producer (REM, Smithereens)/Artist: "I started my own company to
re-issue artists music that I had initially licensed but whose licensing had run
out. This included my wife's catalogue - Marti Jones - who was originally signed
to A&M records."
He has 10 titles with 30-40 MP3s and says that within seconds, he can access information
on the site to see where he stands in relation to his artists and sales.
"I have easy access to change the data and information on the site."
Ultimately, he has sold more CDs than he ever would have thought.
"I think that Chris Frank, is doing a great job of expanding listeners taste
within the folk niche. He is also very fair in what he keeps monetarily. It is
set up like an artist's service."
The Big Guns
CDBaby
CDBaby has been up and running since early 1998. The company is best known for
their personal touch in both client and customer relations. CDB spends hours on
the phones, talking artists through everything from the setting up of their music
on the site to career tips. They have actually been known to point a customer
in the right direction if they do not carry a CD.
Almost all of CDB's entire 20,000 plus clientele has been listened to by at least
one staff person. They follow up with customers to make sure everything is going
well. A direct member hosts member meetings all over the country in order to hook
their artists up together (CDBaby.org).
A system is in place to let the artist know who bought their CD and right now,
the company is in the process launching a tour of their artists (TourBaby.com).
They send out checks weekly and their policy is to take 4.00 off the top of your
sale.
There is a one time $35.00 set up fee.
Dan Zanes of Festival Five Records: "They are constantly putting out tips
and are working outside of the established system. They think creatively and have
maintained being a successful company, while still managing to help others.
They pay regularly and when we phone in, we get friendly people who are ready
to help. They have good customer service and a connection with people.
I use another one of the other bigger companies and I can't get a person on the
phone…and CDBaby are really fair in their rates. They take a certain amount
off of the top regardless of what you charge, as opposed to a percentage. It all
makes good business sense."
CDStreet
CDStreet have been a progressive outfit and are still striving to maintain a cutting
edge. The company has been in business since 1998. What sets CDS apart from the
rest is that they allow an artist to set up e-commerce on their own site - CDS
sets up the credit card transactions for you.
The business also allows the artist to keep a fairly decent percentage of their
sales - an 80-20 split. Artists also have the ability to set up their own distribution.
When an order goes through, it ships the same day.
This model has been replicated except that in this case, the artist also has the
alternative to self-ship. CDS will give you an e-mail confirmation regarding all
of your shipped orders. Another unique feature is the companies "Gig Sales
Kit."
An artist can take a credit card imprinter on the road with them and they can
then add those sales in with their total online sales. Artists have full control
of the look and feel of their Web page.
You have access to CDS' database so you can go in anytime to reconfigure your
site. The site also has a level of co-branding. CDStreet artists include Nils
Lofgren, David Crosby, The New Bohemians, Prince, The Mighty, Mighty Boss Tones,
the Butthole Surfers, the Dropkick Murphy's and more. There is a one time $29.99
set up fee.
King
Coffey from the Butthole Surfers: "Basically what it boils down too is that
we don't have the resources to accept credit card orders and realistically don't
have the discipline to ship out orders in a timely fashion.
CDStreet, on the other hand, usually handles orders the same day and people who
buy from our site have been really happy with their service. While they aren't
exactly cheap, it's not expensive either…otherwise we wouldn't have a way
to sell our stuff on the web.
I should have hooked up with them a long time ago. As it stands, the band has
sold a lot of merchandise since December and I have left it to CDStreet to take
care of all the dirty work."
Amazon Advantage
Amazon.com is the Internet's No. 1 retailer in the states and worldwide. There
is no cost to join Amazon Advantage. There are no exclusive agreements. When you
join Advantage, you get your own listed Web page, alongside those of major-label
artists.
Your page includes track listings, cover art, customer reviews, liner notes, and
more. With the use of Amazons Digital Music Network, you can upload MP3 tracks.
Your songs are also able to earn money through the Honor System.
This system lets you collect tips from fans who listen to your downloads. Amazon
keeps your stock at their distribution centers for shipping - usually within 24
hours. The company will scan your cover art for you and when you join, they classify
your CD so that it qualifies to show up on their Indie Music browse lists.
Their Indie Music Store showcases new artists and indie labels to help fans in
their search. Lists range from punk and classical to Christian and jazz.
When you join, you get access to their secure server, which is updated with full
sales reports. With restocking, you need only have to restock one store. When
they start to sell out, they will send you an e-mail. You are responsible for
paying the shipping of your CDs to Amazon when they reorder.
With regards to payments, at the end of each month, they will send you a check
for the copies sold during the previous month. You can also check online to see
how your CDs are doing. Members can access their Marketing Resource Center - an
online center for independent musicians. There, you can find information on everything
from offline guerrilla marketing tactics to stories of members who have succeeded.
They also give you information and assistance with manufacturing your CD through
Disc Makers.
Barbara Keith of The Stone Coyotes: "Amazon was certainly very instrumental
in getting us exposure…especially when we were first putting out our albums
as we have no brick-and-mortar distribution.
Lately we've become more of a spot-touring band with a fan base in Houston, TX.
So we're moving more toward selling the CDs through our own site. We are also
now in select indie stores, but we still have a link to Amazon on our site.
We find it very useful for people who have trouble finding us. Their name recognition
is beneficial. They were pioneers in helping the "little guys" like
us, or as they call it, "leveling the playing field." They offer a well-organized
program…which keeps track of our sales.
(Writers note: It was difficult, at best, getting information from the publicity
department at Amazon. Most of it, I had to personally pull off of the Amazon Advantage
site. Which goes to show you - bigger doesn't always mean better.)
MC would like to give a big shout-out to David Wimble of The Indie Bible as well
as to Jim Hill from Hearts Of Space for their help in putting this feature together.