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MP3 does an adequate job, but they're sole ability to make money depends on screwing the artist. Notice the %ages of sales, monthly fees, among other things -- which as it's turning out go straight to an industry that most of their clients aren't a part of (yet).

Anyway, take a look at some other websites. My personal favorite (since I admin the system) is BarChord.com. Its missing a few features (which are being actively addressed for the next release), but atleast they're strictly trying to provide tools to the artist to help make them revenue (and share in it) rather than relying on artists to pay fees to be a part of it.

Brandname vs. new comer. I'll let you decide.

Thats something BarChord does with EDonkey distribution. When an artist uploads music, they have an option to have it automagically injected into the EDonkey 2000 p2p network. We're working on other networks as well -- but I rather like the structure of EDonkey.

All readers should note that this comment becomes a shameless plug for our site, BarChord.com. If you're not interested in what we offer, many apologies for the interruption.

Our alternative is based on the following principles:
1. the artist determines what is made available (ie. consent is involved);
2. the artist can charge for their music, if they want to, and change that price, depending on customer response and feedback;
3. the artist shares equally with the final price paid by a user (ie. 50/50 split - no service charges or hidden fees); and
4. the user can easily make a payment (without the excessive cost of micropayments).

We tried to account for all of these when we built BarChord.com. The only thing we had a little bit of trouble with was the payment/billing system, but I think we've done OK there. We ultimately chose to 'request' that users make a deposit of $10.

So far things have gone well. Users are registering, they're paying and bands are using us to promote their wares.

Our motto: "Play the Music, Pay the Musician". BarChord.com.

All readers should note that this comment becomes a shameless plug for our site, BarChord.com. If you're not interested in what we offer, many apologies for the interruption.

Our alternative is based on the following principles:
1. the artist determines what is made available (ie. consent is involved);
2. the artist can charge for their music, if they want to, and change that price, depending on customer response and feedback;
3. the artist shares equally with the final price paid by a user (ie. 50/50 split - no service charges or hidden fees); and
4. the user can easily make a payment (without the excessive cost of micropayments).

We tried to account for all of these when we built BarChord.com. The only thing we had a little bit of trouble with was the payment/billing system, but I think we've done OK there. We ultimately chose to 'request' that users make a deposit of $10.

So far things have gone well. Users are registering, they're paying and bands are using us to promote their wares.

Our motto: "Play the Music, Pay the Musician". BarChord.com.

All readers should note that this comment becomes a shameless plug for our site, BarChord.com. If you're not interested in what we offer, many apologies for the interruption.

Our alternative is based on the following principles:
1. the artist determines what is made available (ie. consent is involved);
2. the artist can charge for their music, if they want to, and change that price, depending on customer response and feedback;
3. the artist shares equally with the final price paid by a user (ie. 50/50 split - no service charges or hidden fees); and
4. the user can easily make a payment (without the excessive cost of micropayments).

We tried to account for all of these when we built BarChord.com. The only thing we had a little bit of trouble with was the payment/billing system, but I think we've done OK there. We ultimately chose to 'request' that users make a deposit of $10.

So far things have gone well. Users are registering, they're paying and bands are using us to promote their wares.

Our motto: "Play the Music, Pay the Musician". BarChord.com.

See subject and run if you fret over this stuff... www.barchord.com is a website dedicated to independent or signed artists. We give them control over the price, music type (mp3, vorbis, some strange encoded format), and in general attempt to provide tools and places for them to do their thing. Website is fairly new, but theres already a few hundred bands most of which have music listed. About half of that is free. Go and enjoy. Also, I'd love constructive comments on the website itself.

Needs some work in the interface (I'm a programmer not a UI developer) but check out www.BarChord.com Our motto is 'Music on the artists terms' -- because we'd like to think we offer a very variable terms that accomodate what artists want individually (and as a group).