BitTorrent: an excellent medium for indie labels
Written by Smaran on October 12, 2006Over the past year or so, BitTorrent as a medium for independent artists and labels to distribute content has grown immensely. It’s good to see that BitTorrent.com, the ‘official’ BT site is spearheading this movement.
Just a couple of weeks ago we saw bands as popular as Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service and The [...]
Over the past year or so, BitTorrent as a medium for independent artists and labels to distribute content has grown immensely. It’s good to see that BitTorrent.com, the ‘official’ BT site is spearheading this movement.
Just a couple of weeks ago we saw bands as popular as Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service and The Shins (among others) put up songs and videos for free download. Being a huge Postal Service fan, I was extremely excited to get three music videos and two remixed songs of theirs for free. Sure, record labels have been offering downloads like these from sites for a while now, but it’s lovely to see them embrace BitTorrent and make use of it.
Last time it was SubPop Records, this time it’s another independent label, Saddle Creek Records that has published a sampler of their artists “exclusively available on BitTorrent.” Artists on the sampler include: Cursive, Eric Bachman, Ladyfinger, Now It’s Overhead, and Bright Eyes, all of whom have new records coming out this fall.
Hopefully we will see more labels and artists upload content to BitTorrent. It’s pretty clear that this technology is here to stay. Isn’t it time mainstream labels, specifically those that make up the RIAA stop resisting it and join the revolution? After all, hasn’t Apple already proven that the only way to combat music piracy is by offering an easy-to-use legal alternative? Arr’
Previously: Private Torrent Sites Overemphasize Share Ratios According to Bram Cohen
Next: TorrentPod Episode 8
12 Responses
I totally agree. Using bit torrent to spread ones music is the best way to gain popularity. All labels, in particular the smaller ones, should all be releasing sample cd using bit torrent and advertising it! I’m sure small bands that want to gain popularity would have no problem with having a few if not a whole album on their site for free download through bit torrent if it means people will listen to them.
(disclaimer, i work for jamendo)
On jamendo you have 1600+ complete albums of very good indie bands hosted on BitTorrent …
Jamendo is a service, band upload their demo CD, define the Creative Commons Licence they prefered, their music becomes automagically hosted in BT and ED2K/KAD networks for free !
Band then put the links to the .torrent or the ed2k: links, and it works !
–
Laurent
thats awesome ^_^ I will be defintaly checking out the site later *currently i’m sitting in class be bored*
jonny614
http://btbeat.com is a torrent music download site, but more.
Read music reviews first, then download if you want.
http://www.minnesota-car-accident-lawyer.autoworldcare.com
Nice Site!!! (p)2
Nice Site!!! (p)
Nice Site!!! (p)¸
Nice Site!!! (p)
MyMusicSite.com helps you the independent artist sell your own music. You can sell individual songs, albums or even have your fans, friends and family be able to instantly create ringtones for your original music. The next time your phone rings…have it be your song that is heard! MyMusicSite.com also offers you the ability to shop for independent music and discover new and hidden talent. Be the first to hear the hottest songs that can be tomorrow’s mega hit songs.
As an independent artist I think torrents could be made useful for distributing promo tracks but when someone just goes and rips your entire CD for download with no permission to do so it is very damaging to a career. I just finished up my album a month ago and it's last night some "fan" took it upon themselves to give it as a gift to everyone who uses torrents. I spent $20 000 recording this album out of my own pocket, and am pouring every cent I have into promoting it. I think torrents could be the death of the independent musician because without return on the investment and creation of the album it is near impossible to create more.
9 references to this post
Responses are closed
All remaining responses will continue to be archived. Use the TorrentFreak forums if you want to discuss something.