So, after numerous hours of hard work, along with the INDISTR team plucking away at ways to stay on top of innovation in digital distribution, we are please to launch the "Name Your Own Price" feature on the site.
The launch of this new feature leaves INDISTR artists with more opportunity to connect with new fans, launch albums more often, all while leaving the control of consumption 100% in the fans hands. Artists can continue to upload music and bundle into albums as they have in the past on INDISTR, but now they'll have a new option when setting the price they want to charge for the album: letting the public decide. Their fans and supporters can name the price they'd like to pay for the album right on the artist's page and then checkout as they normally would. Fans and supporters are even shown the exact amount the artist will make from their purchase. The trend of giving the consumer more say in the value of music is becoming more and more popular in the music industry - now we’re giving that option to the users, both artists and supporters, on INDISTR.com.
If you're wondering what an album may look like with this feature, here's a couple examples:
As many have noticed lately, many artists, including Radiohead, Saul Williams, etc. have been releasing albums in non-traditional ways, and here at INDISTR, we thought it's only fair to give our artists and fans more freedom when selling and buying independent music.
We hope you enjoy the use of this feature, and as always, we love hearing your feedback and thoughts.
The 2008 Jammie awards! A quick wrap-up and performance free for download!
Even if you've never heard of our lovely little-big city of Grand Rapids, we'd like to let you know we've got quite the bourgeoning independent music scene...or maybe I should just say music scene in general and not limit it to just independent. To prove that point, we've got the annual Jammie Awards here in town thrown by our favorite non-profit public radio WYCE 88.1. This year, despite the crazy-out- of-no-where blizzard we had, was pretty awesome - 18 bands/artists showcased their talent, the beer flowed, the crowd loved it, and I can't think of a better place to throw it than the recently renovated Wealthy Theatre here in town. You name the genre, and we had it. Seriously good stuff.
We were fortunate enough to have sponsored the event this year and part of that sponsorship was being able to host for download each of the artists live performances which can be found below...for free. Some, but not all, of these artists use INDISTR as well, so if you find something you like be sure to search around the site a bit to find their full albums available for sale.
We should have this free download up in the next couple of days, and for all of you Grand Rapids locals, we'll be sure to have WYCE (88.1) make on-air announcements about this.
Derek "Dminor" Young resides in sunny California and has a portfolio of beat-making which includes work for clients such as: Othello, Supastition, Styles of Beyond, Lovespirals, Muneshine, Emilio "Raks One" Rojas, MF Grimm, Louis Logic, and many more. Dminor also runs www.waxreform.com out of Los Angeles, CA. Be on the lookout for some great production from him in 2008.
1.Let’s start from the beginning, when and where did it all start? And with who? I started my professional recording career at 7 years of age. I used to do local talent shows and an agent saw me perform and immediately got me a gig with companies like Disney, Warner Bros., and others.
2.If you had to describe your sound in one sentence, what would you say? I love Hip-Hop and Soul music. This is the byproduct of that.
3.Name 3 artists that have inspired you as a musician. Stevie Wonder, J Dilla, Marvin Gaye
4.What do you see in the future for music, with all of the outlets available for exposure, along with the current Internet craze? Music will be free. People have become so accustomed to downloading music illegally that there will have to be a complete change of business or change in the way people listen to music before consumers will start paying for it again. In the meantime, artists trying to catch a break should focus on songwriting. It’s easier to get a royalty check if you wrote that hit song.
5.What can we expect to see from DMinor in 2008? Any big plans? Hopefully the completion of my full length, Supreme Goodie. Additionally, my production team, Wax Reform, will be releasing a digital EP. Production from Illmind, M-Phazes and Presto, vocals from myself, Muneshine, and Emilio Rojas.
6.What has DMinor been listening to lately? I’ve been spending far too much time picking apart J Dilla’s “Donuts”. He was obviously a huge source of inspiration for me as a producer and I really study how he’s made records over the years. Now that he’s gone, I feel a bit like a student without a teacher.
7.Your thoughts on independent music and if it’s possible to be successful through these means of distribution? Independent music is where it’s at! I think there will always be people who want to experience the unwrapping of a CD, the reading of liner notes, and the sharing of music with their peers. Especially if they found a new artist that none of their friends have ever heard of.
The real question is how do you personally measure success? Are you successful if you sell 1000 CDs? 100 CDs? 10 CDs?
It’s a question that each of us need to ask ourselves. I think artists can make decent money, and live off their music. But it only lasts for so long.
The biggest problem that indie artists have is that they are unable to promote themselves outside of their area. So while you may be big in Los Angeles, no one knows your name in Nevada or Arizona.
8.If we can’t find you playing a gig or practicing music, where might we expect to find you? I’ve featured on other peoples songs more than anything else this past year. So you can find me doing that while you wait for my new joint. A few notables, “Silhouette” by Othello, “Imagine That” by Muneshine (prod. by Pete Rock).
9.How many shows do you play a year? What’s the atmosphere typically like? Zero. I hate doing shows, with a passion. My perfectionist complex really kicks in when I perform live. There’s too many variables, too many things that could go wrong, so I try to not do gigs anywhere.
The last show I did was in London at the Tin Room…it was a tough crowd. I just got the impression that they weren’t feeling me, but then realized that UK audiences hold their applause until the end of your set. Ha!
10.Lastly, your thoughts on INDISTR.COM? I think it’s a great spot for people to get some recognition for their craft. I’m glad you guys dig what I do. It’s important for artists to feel appreciated, and you’ve done that.
We will be providing beer and snacks for anybody who is interested. Oh yeah, and we'll be playing music from INDISTR artists at our booth, so please be sure to hit us up if there is something you'd like for us to play while we're out there!!
After nearly 5 decades, Aretha Franklin is throwing in the towel, and going independent. She claims she wanted to sign with Arista again, however her and Clive Davis, "could not meet". Possible marketing and distribution partners in the future include Time Life and the AARP. Sony loses another legend.
Don't know if you've heard, but the RIAA doesn't think that the labels are making enough money off of digital sales, so they are lowering the payout to the artists from 13% to 9%, and Apple is trying to lower the payout to 4%. WOW!!
Continuing Independent artists on the rise for 2008? I'd bet my money on it.
For those of you who have not heard of Sweet Japonic, you've apparently been missing out. These guys have been playing music since 2000. This is a great band that hails from Grand Rapids, MI, and have been selling out venues on the regular for quite some time. With part of the band now residing in Chicago, they are planning to progress outside of Michigan and get there exposure built by a possible tour in 2008. Enjoy:
1.Let’s start from the beginning, when and where did it all start? And with who? Luke and Ryan are the only original members back when Sweet Japonic was a folk-rock group with violin, djembe, lap steel (est. 2000). The sound was mellow and sweet. After a few life changes members left, but the band keep its name and evolved with it.
2.If you had to describe your sound in one sentence, what would you say? Sweet Japonic's sunny, nimble musicianship compliments soulful, arresting vocals and lyrics that are often wistful and pensive, creating a sound that is at once familiar and yet new.
3.Name 3 artists that have inspired you as musicians. Ray Lamontagne, Counting Crows, The Isley Brothers
4.What do you see in the future for music, with all of the outlets available for exposure, along with the current Internet craze? It's an exciting time for music, as it has only recently become possible to produce and release quality recordings from affordable home studios. Consequently, a vast amount of music will be available, and a lot of it will be free. The future for music, as i see it, will have to do with people finding a way to make a living in this new paradigm. The record companies will eventually stop trying to fight it, and will find new ways to profit from the sale of music as well.
5.What can we expect to see from Sweet Japonic in 2008? Any big plans? We are recording a new album, and are continuing a busy schedule of live performances. We also plan to bring our live act to new venues in 2008, playing more in Chicago as well as Indiana, Ohio, and perhaps putting a short tour together.
6.What has Sweet Japonic been listening to lately? We each have very different tastes in music, but at the same time i think we're all pretty open minded to any music that we come across. Just this week I went on (another) leonard cohen kick, and before that it was the Afghan Whigs. Luke was into some old thomas a. dorsey gospel tunes recently and roy was probably listening to live grateful dead or some such dirty hippie music.
7.Your thoughts on independent music and if it’s possible to be successful through these means of distribution? I think it's certainly possible to be successful, but it requires as much hard work, talent, and luck as any other means of distribution. Independent music is great because it is so democratic. There is a sense of possibility without limitation, and a general sense of camaraderie and community among independent musicians (at least in our experience). If you are financing and producing recordings yourself you can put out any kind of record you want, for better or worse. No one is there to tell you no, but in the end if you want to sell your music you have to put out something people will want to buy. And then find the people who want to buy it.
8.If we can’t find you playing a gig or practicing music, where might we expect to find you? Some of us have non-music related jobs or projects. If we're together as a band and not playing music, we're likely in our beloved van on the way to or from a gig.
9.How many shows do you play a year? What’s the atmosphere typically like? 100 or so. Depends on the market whether people care about original art or just want to hear cover material. We try very hard to find great places to gig at were our music can be appreciated.
10.Lastly, your thoughts on INDISTR.COM? I like the fact that we get paid directly after each sale and the %’s are fair. That in itself is worthy of using their system as an easy way to sell digital downloads via any site. I would like to see a culture created and their promotional efforts meet us half way. This interview is a great example of this company’s interest in the independent artist and willingness to support the new paradigm.
