Hey folks!

Hope you are all well. I recently tried to add my music to itunes but they sent me a message back saying I had not met their criteria etc. They also said inclusion in the itunes store is still possible if I sign up with an online distribution company. Does anyone have any experience with this and who is the best company to go with?

So far Ive checked out http://www.tunecore.com and http://www.cdbaby.com

Tune Core has a annual price scheme and dont charge for sales but dont have all the networks such as microsoft media site, play.com etc. CDBaby want you to send them CDs for them to sell (which is a bit of a problem as Ive not ever had any mass produced) and they charge per sale but have all the download networks Ive heard of and some I havnt.

I really need help deciding on this one and Im chatting with my parents about the two contracts and which one is best. Who would have thought it was so hard to get your tunes on Apple Store, Napster and the likes lol.

Hope you guys can help

Lewis

cloud9mission said:

Hi Lewis. I don't really know much about tunecore. I've been using CDbaby and I've been really happy with their service. CDbaby has a "digital-only" method, where you can just go for digital sales, and no CD sales. I haven't used it, and they don't really recommend it, but it's there for you to use if you want. I'm probably going to use the digital-only method for my next album.

One thing though... it took a few months for my songs to appear on itunes... The other networks got my songs earlier I think...

I wish I could help you out - but i'm just not too familiar with big-time distribution methods in the digital realm. I do think that (at least right now) it is the best way for a true artist to create opportunity for themselves as it is still a fairly "free" market.

I've watched some friends of mine from back home (in Nebraska) work their asses off for years trying to "make it" the more traditional way. Turning away countless production contracts (which are all a total scam - never fall for these, no matter whose name their working under), and tour contracts with some pretty big name artists (also a total scam). They finally got enough local recognition that Saun from Slipknot came out to catch them in Lincoln, and immediately took them under his wing. He flew them to NY to play a showcase for Road Runner, Metal Blade, Universal, and several other lables - and is having them out to his Studio in DesMoines this summer to personally record a new demo for them. All on his dime and totally free of any cost to the band. I'm not a Slipknot fan - but I really have to respect a guy who loves music enough to put his own money and reputation on the line for an unknown act. Especially when that band is from the musical "desert" of Nebraska.

I remember years ago when 311 hit it big. They were like home town heroes to a lot of people. I seem to recall that their local fans even chipped in to buy them new equipment when they moved out to LA. And then when they started doing interviews for their album they were all "...we're an LA band!" After that record stores back home couldn't even give their CDs away, and the "used" bins were over-filled with them.

Anyway... I didn't mean to hijack your thread Cloud9. My point was that persistance pays off in great reward, but selling your soul is more likely to piss people off and leave you in the gutter in the end.

Please keep us up to date with any info you attain. Good luck!

1st www.bmi.com
2nd www.kunaki.com

Kunaki is very cool, they will sell one cd for you or 100 or 1,000
whatever...

G-Stu