Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Myspace to Sell MP3s From Unsigned Bands

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the i-want-to-rock-and-roll-all-night dept.

soldrinero writes "Yahoo! news is hosting a story about a new competitor to Apple's iTunes Music Store. Nearly all the other iTunes competitors have been strongly controlled by the music industry, shackled in DRM, and giving little back to artists. The new MySpace music store will feature vanilla MP3 downloads at prices set by the individual bands (3 million of them!), all or nearly all of whom are unsigned musicians with no industry affiliation. Is this the example we have all been waiting for of how the Internet will obviate the business model of the recording industry?"

5 of 253 comments (clear)

  1. Works until.. by neo8750 · · Score: 3, Interesting
    This will probly end up working pretty decently give the "artists" don't decieded that they need to over charge for their music (price limits could be set by mysapce).

    On the other hand i could see the Record Industry just sitting and watching to see which band seems to be doing the best and then bum-rush them with a contract for them to sign so the RIAA can cash in (as we know they so love to do) on this fresh artist (that already has a decent fan base). Basicly they are letting Myspace do all the hard work of promoting the band and they will swoop in at the end snag up the band and then squeeze every last penny out of them and us when the band release the studio record through them.

    now if myspace really wanted to appeal to artist they should set up a recording studio and allow there artists they support to release records under their label.

    it be a win for both seeing how the artist get a cheaper studio to produce in and release under and mysapce makes some extra cash flow....yeah i know it probly won't happen but its just an idea.

  2. Same Model As Netflix... Almost by Kamiza+Ikioi · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Netflix does the same thing, only they sign unsigned movies that play at Sundance and the like, and give them non-exclusive DVD distribution deals.

    The real key? Once on Netflix, they get pushed as a new release over the recommendation mechanism. So, heard of or not, they get exposure and an audience quickly.

    MySpace has nothing like that to push unsigned bands, except to offer a sales/download link from all pages using the song. Also, Netflix hand picks each indie film, whereas MySpace is not hand picking indie bands and their songs.

    Honestly, I don't see the advantage here from the band's perspective. Selling a Vanilla mp3 is not hard for even the least qualified web tech using any e-commerce storefront. There's no DRM to fool with, so all you have to do is take an order, and offer a random url download or e-mail the MP3 directly to them. But, since its on the honor system, why not just let everyone download all the mp3's, and put up a paypal link as a "Tip Jar".

    --
    I8-D
  3. Um...this is how it works... by SamMichaels · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Plenty of confusion here...people have already commented to clear up the DRM confusion, let's take a look at the industry:

    1. The label signs the artist.
    2. The label pays for expensive studio time.
    3. The rep from the label contacts the program directors at radio stations to get airplay. Sending your demo tape to a station will not get you on the air...reps who offer tickets at concerts and coop opportunities for bigger artists get airplay (because payola is technically illegal).
    4. The label pays for CD duplication, printing, distribution.
    5. The label sends your CD to the music outlets.
    6. The label arranges concerts, merchandising, etc to make you rich (because we all know artists make nearly nothing on the music itself).

    In this day and age, computers and very inexpensive technology have somewhat eliminated the need for expensive studio time...but you can't cheap out on a real producer and real mastering engineer. Regardless, let's assume you have a decent recording. Instead of radio airplay, you go for popularity on myspace. You have no costs for CD duplication, printing, distribution or the need for agreements with music outlets. You arrange tshirt/mug/hat printing from an online business.

    So...we're basically outdating the labels and the radio stations.

  4. Re:No, because ... by bsharitt · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Exactly. DRM free music stores that sell unsigned artists aren't new, but they didn't have any mainstream reach. MySpace is probably the first that is big enough to actually make a dent.

  5. Who Owns it? by tacocat · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I wonder what is going to happen to these unsigned songs when the band is signed and wants to use these songs in their first album. Will MySpace own the music?