4 ms·

There's a million ways to skin that cat. In my own humble opinion, the very least someone could do for an artist and call themselves a label is to print up the

by Jgrubb 15y ago

There's a million ways to skin that cat. In my own humble opinion, the very least someone could do for an artist and call themselves a label is to print up the physical product and/or help the artist negotiate the details of the distribution of the digital product. You can print up 1,000 on DiscMakers for a little over $1,000 last I looked, and only "labels" are allowed to put stuff on iTunes (last I looked). Of course, most bands could afford the cost of printing, it's the process and cost of marketing that most bands don't have. That's the main attraction of a label of almost any size these days.

elektronaut 15y ago
Usually, you don't work with Apple directly unless you're a sizeable label. There's a number of services that will publish your music on iTunes and other online stores. I've used TuneCore (which costs about $50/year per album), CD Baby also does this.
- Jgrubb 15y ago
  so you're the other musician on HN, eh? Nice to meet you. I know of some very small labels that have their catalogs on iTunes. Perhaps it's more a function of how long they've been around or the stature of their artists or just having connections at iTunes. I've never personally used either TuneCore or CDBaby, but my impression has always been that those are outlets for DIY artists and you wouldn't need a "label" to get you on there.
  - elektronaut 15y ago
    Heh, same, I'm betting there's lots more on here. CD Baby in particular is very geared towards DIY artists, with the whole physical distribution deal. They will also market your music. TuneCore focuses solely on being a mediator between an artist or a label and the online music stores, which is great if you're doing digital-only releases or handling your physical releases through a proper distribution channel. They have big name users like Nine Inch Nails and Aretha Franklin. I've gotten the impression that most music labels here in Norway handle their digital distribution through Phonofile[1], who have deals with the major international online retailers plus a few scandinavian ones. The amount of artists who are self-releasing is rapidly growing as the tools become available, and I'm excited to see which business models will emerge. The future of the music industry is in investment, marketing and management. The idea of treating it like manufacturing and selling of goods will die along with the CD. [1] http://www.phonofile.com/ http://www.phonofile.com/
    - jamesbritt 15y ago
      Heh, same, I'm betting there's lots more on here. Indeed. I'm another. The amount of artists who are self-releasing is rapidly growing as the tools become available, and I'm excited to see which business models will emerge. The future of the music industry is in investment, marketing and management. The idea of treating it like manufacturing and selling of goods will die along with the CD. I'm interested in alternative means of distribution, including mobile apps but also new physical embodiments (something perhaps that uses USB or SD or whatever). I don't want to see the object-ness of "records" gone, but expanded.

by Jgrubb 15y ago

elektronaut 15y ago

Usually, you don't work with Apple directly unless you're a sizeable label. There's a number of services that will publish your music on iTunes and other online stores. I've used TuneCore (which costs about $50/year per album), CD Baby also does this.

Jgrubb 15y ago
so you're the other musician on HN, eh? Nice to meet you. I know of some very small labels that have their catalogs on iTunes. Perhaps it's more a function of how long they've been around or the stature of their artists or just having connections at iTunes. I've never personally used either TuneCore or CDBaby, but my impression has always been that those are outlets for DIY artists and you wouldn't need a "label" to get you on there.
- elektronaut 15y ago
  Heh, same, I'm betting there's lots more on here. CD Baby in particular is very geared towards DIY artists, with the whole physical distribution deal. They will also market your music. TuneCore focuses solely on being a mediator between an artist or a label and the online music stores, which is great if you're doing digital-only releases or handling your physical releases through a proper distribution channel. They have big name users like Nine Inch Nails and Aretha Franklin. I've gotten the impression that most music labels here in Norway handle their digital distribution through Phonofile[1], who have deals with the major international online retailers plus a few scandinavian ones. The amount of artists who are self-releasing is rapidly growing as the tools become available, and I'm excited to see which business models will emerge. The future of the music industry is in investment, marketing and management. The idea of treating it like manufacturing and selling of goods will die along with the CD. [1] http://www.phonofile.com/ http://www.phonofile.com/
  - jamesbritt 15y ago
    Heh, same, I'm betting there's lots more on here. Indeed. I'm another. The amount of artists who are self-releasing is rapidly growing as the tools become available, and I'm excited to see which business models will emerge. The future of the music industry is in investment, marketing and management. The idea of treating it like manufacturing and selling of goods will die along with the CD. I'm interested in alternative means of distribution, including mobile apps but also new physical embodiments (something perhaps that uses USB or SD or whatever). I don't want to see the object-ness of "records" gone, but expanded.