The launch of MySpace Music is just around the corner. This collaborative effort between MySpace and the major record labels Sony BMG, WB and Universal along with top name advertisers is bound to be an interesting and highly anticipated collaborative move. It is also an indication that major labels are starting, or at least attempting to adapt to the ever changing music industry. For this my hat goes off to the major record labels for realizing that they need to act differently. However, the main concerns of this collaboration has been that independent labels have been put on the back burner or even left out of this deal.

There have been conflicting reports on their stance with independent labels. An article in Wired back in April reported that independent labels would be excluded from this profit sharing deal.  However, a post on hypebot indicates that these labels will be included via Amazon mp3. However, no official announcement of the partnership has been made.

Merlin is the global rights body for the independent music community. They currently have a combined membership of 12,000 independent labels representing an 8% market share. This is equal to that of the major label EMI, which is the only major record label left out of the MySpace music deal. Merlin have been reported to be in negotiations with with MySpace in relation to the highly anticipated MySpace Music, but it is unclear that any deals have been made here. I would like to see the details of this MySpace Music/ major labels deal, as it has been reported that the labels have abandoned their large upfronts and pay per play requests, which are currently troubling Pandora and have also resulted in the shut down of other music services such as the likes of Sonific and Muxtape.

If this is true, and MySpace is indeed brushing independent labels and unsigned artists aside, this would be huge smack in the face for all the unrepresented indie labels and unsigned artists that have been with MySpace from the start. It is one thing to open up a platform to accommodate new visitors as Facebook did when they allowed for non-collegiate users to register with their site, but in doing so they offered the same service to everyone. MySpace does not seem to be providing a fair playing ground for artist with their current major labels deal. If this is true at launch and continues to be so months after, then you can be assured that more independent labels and unsigned artists will seek friendlier grounds with other sites, such as last.fm and imeem or even groovetap (once we are launched). Therefore, making MySpace more of a place for majors than a place for music.

Putting The Music First

Shaun

One thing I can’t stand more than being excited it’s Friday, thinking the weekend is around the corner only to be reminded its still Thursday, is being in a rut. Particularly a food rut, or even worse a music rut. Not finding anything new and exciting to listen to?

There are quite a few tools out there to help you out from Last.fm to pandora but I want to step back here and pay attention and credit to a certain blog that has been a musical gate keeper for me in the past two months. hearya.com’s stated goal in their about section reads as follows:

“…Find emerging indie music artists. Give those artists more exposure. Give readers a more intimate connection with the bands by providing raw, stripped down versions of the music.”

Those three lines are the antithesis of big music today. So you can say that their intentions are present and so is a quality of their website, which provides independent music reviews. Best of all, they have music right there on the page in a yahoo player/playlist that can be listened to while you read through their articles. They also provide live recorded session of several different bands.

My only complaint is that the page can be a little busy with the placement of their ads, but its not that bad. If you are suffering from a lack fresh music, I suggest you make your way to this website and check it out. Now…..if they could only suggest a new restaurant to try in the DC area.

Musically Rut Free
Shaun