The topic of Digital Distribution in music is a massive one. Meanwhile, it's rather a situation or state of time, not that much of a simple "topic". A separate conference on this would have been perfect. This session, however, goes about 90min.
When focusing Digital Distribution in terms of out-of-the-box solutions following a more commercial approach vs. DIY and Direct-to-Fan: What's important with services like BandCamp, Audiomagnet, Topspin, TuneCore, Nimbit? Which services can and must artists be provided with?
Also, can a DIY/D2F approach be the right one for everyone? Does it provide suitable tools for everyone? Is there anything special about DIY, D2F that commercial channels like iTunes, Napster, labels do not offer at all? In particular, it's worthwhile discussion what pros & cons there are compared to common distribution.
Yet another aspect in analysing distribution channels is the discussion that has arisen between Tom Silverman (Tommyboy Entertainment) and Jeff Price (TuneCore). No charts, no breaking – what does it take to become a „breaking artist“?
Do we need other scales than some charts measuring questionable figures of sales? Any artist selling his songs or maybe even giving them away for free on his site - where are these numbers? Why should he or she with several 10.000 downloads for free not be considered a "breaking" artist? And why are they preferring an independent presentation compared to a commercial platform?
Returning to digital distribution services themselves - are artists satisfied with how their work is presented and sold? Regarding browsing & searching - do current solutions support the customer?
Concluding it all, where is digital distribution heading to? Is there a tendency towards independent artists, acting on their own, taking over the market as entrepreneurs themselves?
What's the fall-out - and is there a life after digital distribution?
This session is hosted by .MUSIC.
DIY marketing more than your label marketing relies on fan/artist relationship. True relationships, meaning that the artist doesn't hide from the hand that feeds. Actually, fans are willing to do hard and effective work. Good fans are loyal.
But... where does it evolve from? How even to start a fanbase? How to involve potential fans with what you do? More importantly, how to develop a sustainable relationship?
And the most delicate task is - how to convert the relationship in a business one without losing credibility?
Theme track ROLES & IDENTITIES presented by "MUSIKMARKT".
