With more details emerging regarding the MySpace music store plans with Snocap, I’m actually rather positive about what they’re up to as opposed to my typical feelings once I get the details of various music industry initiatives such as those of Universal Music for free ad-supported music & video downloads.
As previously noted, MySpace is working with Snocap on enabling MP3 sales by musicians. Robert Levine gets into more detail for the NY Times.
The big picture I’m getting from Levine’s article is that, since MP3s don’t have copy protection, the major labels will not be playing this game which means that small labels and independent artists will actually be at the forefront of such developments. However, some folks feel that this move will push the major labels to respond and an unidentified source claims that EMI is in talks with MySpace regarding this matter.
eMusic also sells MP3s and is said to have no material from major labels. But they do have "almost 13 percent of the market for online music" as of July.
MySpace will charge around 45 cents per track that will be split with Snocap. MP3 pricing will be set by musicians/labels. The music store will accept PayPal rather than credit cards due to lower transaction fees [this could result in a serious boost for PayPal which makes me wonder if they're more integral to the deal than has been discussed].
It sounds like there will be a MySpace store but there will also be band storefronts to which folks can link directly.
MySpace cofounder and CEO Chris DeWolfe is quoted as saying:
It’s not that easy, if you’re an artist on the street, to get your music on iTunes . . . With Snocap you can upload your music, sign the contract and do everything online.
Obviously DeWolfe wants to put the best face on things and he may be right about artists dealing directly with iTunes but, if I was an independent artist or small label, I would seriously check out CD Baby, they not only make your CD available for on and offline purchase, they also work with iTunes.
If you’ve had experiences with CD Baby, I’d love to hear about them. I always recommend checking out their services because they offer the best deal with the most services for indies but I have to add the caveat that I haven’t spoken directly to artists that have worked with them.
I would, of course, also recommend closely following developments with MySpace and Snocap.
My band has used CDBaby to carry our first album. It’s a good service–you ship them 5-10 copies of the CD, tell them what you’re charging for it. They add some markup for their profits and then ship you a check when you move units. We were selling our CD for $5, they are charging $8 right now. Once they sell all the units on hand, they ask you to ship out some more.
I’m interested in using SnoCap with a newer project I just released. Reason being, most hip hop fans don’t buy CD’s anymore unless it’s a mixtape for $5-$10 and has 20-50 tracks. The more I can learn about SnoCap the better.
Thanks for the info. Yeah, checking out Snocap would be a smart move. I don’t know how the MySpace stuff will roll out but it might put you ahead of the game once that happens since you’ll already be in the system.
From everything I’m hearing, anecdotally to larger studies, American young people across the board are moving away from CDs. It’s old folks like me that still buy them.
However, I’m also hearing that, in addition to the mixtapes you mention, DVDs are still doing well with younger audiences, though I haven’t heard as much about that.
I just singed a agreement with myspace/Snocap. it is great. This actually cuts out the middle man and allow indy artist the ability to distribute their music and capitalize off their creativity. I’m enjoying great sales through the myspace community and I am also able to copy the music store anywhere on the internet. i would recommend this to any indy artist. Check out my MySpace and you will find my music store their also. This is Great!!!