Technology News

6 Case Studies on Online Music Marketing

Source: HypeBot
February 23, 2011

On Music Think Tank, Jill Haverkamp gives us a sample of 6 case studies on how artists have effectively connected with their audience online. One example comes from the recent Grammy winners, Arcade Fire, and their interactive music video. All six cases gravitate around connecting with fans and artists should think about these cases when building a strategy and fanbase. “Connecting with fans is imperative in today's music industry," Haverkamp writes. "It's that connection that can give them a reason to ...

Continue Reading...

Talks Heat up to Improve Download Sound Quality, but is It Just an Excuse for Higher Prices?

Source: HypeBot
February 23, 2011

According to several sources, iTunes, eMusic, Amazon and other digital music retailers are in talks with the major labels about improving the quality of sound in music downloads. But for most of those sitting at the table, better sound quality may be more about making money than sonic improvements. Studio recordings are often captured in 24-bit high-fidelity. But before they become downloads or pressed onto CD, they are usually downgraded to 16-bit files. From there, the compression usually continues in ...

Continue Reading...

Topspin Opens Direct to Fan Platform to All in March

Source: HypeBot
February 17, 2011

Topspin CEO Ian Rogers used the New Music Seminar, which winds up today in LA, to announce that their direct to fan platform will open to all musicians in March. While used by hundreds of musicians from Paul McCartney to unknown bands over the last 18 months, Topspin had been previously invite only. In addition, Rogers announced a $5,000 Direct-To-Fan marketing grant contest.  \With plans starting at $9.99 per month plus a percentage of sales, in March users can access ...

Continue Reading...

Sick of Sarah - The First Label Backed Band Release to be Freely Distributed to Fans Via BitTorrent

Source: HypeBot
February 17, 2011

How do you reach 100 million would be fans? If you're Eminem, you star in a couple of Super Bowl ads. If you're Sick of Sarah, you release your album via BitTorrent. Adamant Records, their label, has posted a tutorial on torrents and how they work on their home page. Last year, BitTorrent started a pilot program that asked artists to let them freely distribute their creative works. At the time, Yes Men and Pioneer One, as well as PAZ, ...

Continue Reading...

Music Listening - The Least Popular Mobile Activity

Source: HypeBot
February 16, 2011

ComScore published its 2010 Digital Year in Review report. In their analysis of what Americans are doing with their mobile devices, listening to music didn't fare well, which is a nice way of saying that it ranked dead last. Instant messaging is even more popular than music listening. And even if you make room for the fact that people listen to music while performing these other tasks, the usage statistics reveal that music listening isn't something people value on their ...

Continue Reading...

Sonicbids Integrates Songtrust Services...

Source: Digital Music News
February 15, 2011

Downtown-owned Songtrust is now quickly reaching out to artists. On Monday morning, the company brokered an app inclusion deal with Sonicbids. Essentially, the game plan is simple: Songtrust's range of publishing services will be integrated as an app option within Sonicbids artist accounts. Songtrust offers a range of DIY-focused song registration, royalty collection, and related self-publishing services.

The handshake is part of of a broader diversification plan by Sonicbids, and the latest move in an ever-crowding DIY space. The Songtrust ...

Continue Reading...

SXSW Accelerator Names Music Tech Finalists

Source: HypeBot
February 15, 2011

More than four hundred companies submitted their web-based products to the third annual SXSW Accelerator presented by Microsoft BizSpark. It was the first year that SXSW created a special music tech category and I enjoyed being on the panel of judges that chose the eight finalists and two alternates.  If you're heaed to SXSW (and if not, you probably should be), the music finalists will presenting on Wednesday, March 16th at the Hilton Austin Downtown. Here's a first-look and their ...

Continue Reading...

Facebook Updates Artist Pages

Source: HypeBot
February 12, 2011

Facebook has updated artist pages. The layout is different. The tabs are removed. Users can now “Login as Page" and interact with Facebook. For instance, I can now visit the TED Page and comment on their wall as Hypebot. Or I could “Like" a status update. Pages cannot, however, post on a user's wall or on his or her status. That hasn't changed. Only when a user has opted for the “everybody" privacy setting can Pages comment on the status updates ...

Continue Reading...