Bands Bypass iTunes With iPhone Apps

iminplaya writes to tell us that the band "The Presidents of the United States of America" (yes, the peaches guys), are trying to expand their engagement with fans by selling their music via Apple's App store, something others have experimented with but never dealt with on this level. "The app, called 'The Presidents' Music — PUSA,' sells for $2.99 on the App Store (iTunes link) offers users access to four full albums, including the band's early 'lost' recordings. This includes the previously-unavailable FroggyStyle — 'unless you have one of the 500 cassettes the band sold in 1994, you've never heard this before,' reads the app description. The app also features a number of extras and exclusives that the band says are updated regularly, and fans can read the band's blog directly from the app on their iPhones or iPod touches. The music, however, is not actually contained within the application itself; instead, it is streamed to the app from a server, requiring the user to be connected to a network of some kind (iPhone users on the cell or WiFi network, iPod touch users on WiFi) in order to access the media."

Comments

Presidents

[Chabo]

Personally, I know them better for their song "Lump" (which Weird Al parodied as "Gump") better than I know them for "Peaches".

Sounds fair

[oahazmatt]

If the content is streaming, I don't see Apple having a problem with this. After all, I can stream numerous radio stations already through iTunes or through an iPhone app. I don't think Apple will be concerned unless the app allows you to save the music. Besides, there's probably some agreement the developers have to agree to that states no app will directly compete with iTunes.

Band 2.0

[Clever7Devil]

If looked at purely as a method of accessing the artists' work it seems ineffectual. However, as a total package this is a genius appeal to the "always on" "web 2.0" environment of today's Internet. For 2.99, a price I think many will pay, users recieve a portal on their mobile device into the world of their favorite artists. Bios, extra content, tour dates, blogs, and ALL their music in one place. Sounds like something a fan would gladly pay 2.99 to have access to.

Re:Band 2.0

[dave562]

What if the app is just the first, beta release of a product that for all we know, three years from now could be bought by a major independent label, and used as a portal to hundreds of bands? You're one of those glass half empty types aren't you?

If a band that I liked wanted to charge me $3 to listen to any of the music that they've put out, I'd do it. That is a whole lot cheaper than buying a bunch of CDs or individual tracks.

These apps and similar things aren't meant to be everything for everyone. This one obviously isn't even aimed at you. You want more than they are willing to provide for $3. Okay. And?

On the other hand it seems perfectly targetted at the "What do I want to spend my allowance on?" demographic. It's like Ringtone 2.0. The band of the month gets to make $3 from a bunch of junior high school kids with rich parents who can afford to buy them iPhones.

Re:Why stop there?

[Anonymous Coward]

More bands should be offering their music for free on the Internet itself. Look at how well Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead (for starters) have done with their Internet releases.

Yeah! All you need to do to make it big on the internet is to already be a multi-platinum selling band before the internet came along. Simple!

Not a great idea.

[WiiVault]

One of the reasons people buy iPhones is for integration both on the phone and desktop. You know, all your music in one place. This will also have limited use for Touch users who wan't to listen to music without be near wifi. I for one do not want 100 apps from various artists scattered across my phone.