Ideas

COOL! So what is the incentive to go with your company as a label/agent rather than building my own service and sending music out directly through my site? Is this sort of like etse for music?

I did not yet read the articles at those links, but the idea is great. Magnatune has a similar model, in that you can listen for free; though, you have to pay to license (download or get a disc?).

"A live crowd" (Please Play Here) sort of fizzled when a very similar business (almost the exact model?) was noticed. "The beat goes on" combined with "A live crowd" might be very strong. The overlap is already there.

Free music could temper the gaudy presentation of that competitor to "ALC" (forgot the name). From memory, it seemed to push photos and teen gush. If you give away the music and market live music, a broader spectrum of music will thrive on the front pages.

You may be on to something, as this appears to be a variation of a business model currently being developed by groups such as U2, the Rolling Stones etc.

Basically the idea is to build "Larger and more user friendly Concert Facilities"

Given the current difficulties that musicians have with collecting royalties, the idea is to give the music away cheaply or for free and use the goodwill to pack the Live Music Concerts.

It may help your project to study their business models.

I second CharonV. Also more and more bands embrace this idea, thinking to make the money more in concerts.

Could http://www.deezer.com/ do the job?

Found a Dutch site as well: http://www.muziek-lader.nl.nu/
Tommy

A side note: NIN gave away an album for donation, and have apparently made over $6 million in donations. Go Trent.

From the Wikipedia entry:

"Radiohead subsequently left their record label, EMI, and released their seventh album, In Rainbows (2007), through their own website as a digital download for which customers selected their own price."

and Barenaked Ladies:

"On the subsequent Everywhere For Everyone tour, in early 2004, the band began offering their full live shows for purchase as a download or CD-R on http://www.barenakedladies.com, as well as subsequent studio releases.[11] ...
Also in February, the band went back into the studio to finish up the recordings they started the previous fall. Initially unsure of how to release so many songs, the band announced in May 2006 that they would release a one-disc album in early September entitled Barenaked Ladies Are Me. Several alternate versions are available, including downloadable versions and a USB flash drive version. "

I know BNL did that for a different reason... they were thinking of the environment.

"I know BNL did that for a different reason... they were thinking of the environment." Great; so promote that aspect as well.

Tommy said: "I second CharonV."
I third it.

This is coming, no stopping it. So the thing is: how to organize it with a consensus of artists. They need and deserve their cut. Otherwise, we’re headed back to when all rights to Johnny B. Goode sold for $25.

A good place to start is the Dead. They rarely went into the studio but allowed bootlegs of their concerts. It was part of their culture. And I would say they did more than moderately well. But the road wears out the soul. Some kind of balance needs to be struck. Otherwise, you’re going to end up with nothing but Mobys -- one guy and a synth with a computer upload.

And notice how the prices of concerts have gone astronomical. A number one hit band used to go for $3.50 (The Kingsmen with Louie Louie). Now, you choose between rock concert, opera or NFL game. Or satellite TV. This is transition time. Tread lightly.

Radiohead did this in the music industry by letting fans decide how much to pay for their album "In Rainbows" it started at free and what you wanted to pay is what you would pay.

Unheard band's coming up could use that, Set them up for paid touer's.

Maxman you hit it right on the head... I dont want to take the chance to buy a CD of a band I have never heard... so give it away and hopefully 5% come out to a concerts.

What would be the difference from this and say Youtube, or the many free song download/stream sites?

That is only a way to distribute the music my concept it whole new business model. So we are not trying to reinvent the wheel here, we would feature our music on YouTube, Itunes, and other downloading/streaming sites.
The more people hear the music the better, you are building a brand.

I like this idea.

thanks

I could see that happening. So, its like a marketing website for garage bands that are starting up and trying to make it. So, the site is simulcasting there work on other sites and promoting there work. I could see that since Brenden have always been pretty good with the marketing business. You just raised some stars in my book.

Though I still find it a bit hard to fully understand the business model. It would be nice to see something a sketch or maybe a more in depth view on how everything is set up.

Ok kevin I will see what I can do for you.

I think this is a great business model, particularly if step 2 (fan participation) were to be particularly muscular with a good incentive/reward pyramid, but also, conversely, if the bands were able to mediate the degree of participation from fans as well as mediate their own image.
It would be cool if the site also had a few radio widgets available via popular social networking websites or browsers (..Firefox) that streamed new music from the site, thereby enticing interested web users into it's clutches :-)

don't let this idea go. I like it.

thanks guys

how hard would it be for a band to use all the social networks and develop a cheap website and do all this on their own>??
it is all predicated on the second part of fan participation but those dont exist until the band gets out and tours in the first place

I don't know how is this different form (too) many similar sites that exist already, but (again and again and again) "there were search engines before google!". I like the idea of being able to get a playable widget you can embed in any site in a way youtube does with videos.

...and what about offernig a free to download option for personal use, but sell the songs (together with the rights) for use in commercial media, or any other commercial use?

that is what the idea says...

Thanks all

still the best idea ever!

Hi Brendan,

thanks for the comments on the Urban Niche tickets. Much appreciated. The second stage to my idea will work very closely to your business model where the lovers of the musci and the concept get the chance to become promoters of events, music and the arts.

By utilising the existing business models but with a tweak here and there they fit very nicely into the entertainment industry. I wrote my disstertation on this and have tested it with much success.

We should be working together since we have very similar ideas and possibly wishing to help people who have some amazing talents.

This new online market can help promote events offline as there needs to be an even balance between online and offline activity. Social networking is the way forward.

I'm so apssionate about this as I have worked in the industry for a while now!

Talk soon
Dave