For the 2nd release on my label, I was thinking about selling it digitally on iTunes. After reading the pieces below this morning, I'm kind of questioning that now.

http://miccontrol.com/#/micblogs/could- ... ore-money/

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_b ... cians.html

Is there really a need for iTunes anymore?

bandcamp is awesome...

I'm all for exploring every alternative to itunes, but as long as itunes represents 80%+ of all digital sales, I think it is a no brainer to not have your stuff on there...It's not exclusive, so you can put your stuff up on bandcamp, napster, etc.... and promote those avenues exclusively....you don't have to mention that your product is on itunes at all, and guide your fanbase towards the venue you prefer, but the overall goal should be to get your music out there, and itunes is still king, unfort.

most people will only go with 'what they know', and even non mp3/digital music fans have heard of itunes...

a necessary evil is what it is.....



I have a similar internal struggle with myspace. i dont want to waste my time working on that page and stuff, but there are still so many people who use it, and if they happen to find my label or bands there, rather than twitter, facebook, etc.....then all the better for me...

Well, Apple basically just pisses me off with all their overpriced proprietary bullshit so I'd like to have a good reason to say avoid iTunes. But, it really is the big player in the selling digital music game so it only seems logical to let them sell your stuff.

Then again, while iTunes is the vendor of choice for popular music. There may really be something to the fact that I'm figuring most music fans of bands your label is working with are a bit more into finding music other places. I mean, your average Kie$ha fan may just grab whatever pops up on iTunes, but the typical person into Glass vaults likely casts a wider net.

Personally, I never use the itunes store. If I download from a big distributor of mp3s it will be Amazon. Prices, navigation, and options are all better. I understand your quandary, but wonder if the market you're hoping to hit isn't more savvy than itunes. Seems to me that the aforementioned bandcamp (which I also buy from regularly) wouldn't be a better solution.

Unless yr a big artist pimping a new release, itunes seems like a crapshoot anyway. I never have any luck just "happening" into new artists.

this is what i'm thinking.

also, as Flying stated, it's tough for people to really discover something new on iTunes, and the chances of them happening upon it there are pretty slim. i'm not sure putting the releases on iTunes would really gain them any extra exposure.

i'd much rather direct folks over to a bandcamp page, or even control the downloads on the JUKBOXR site.

i'm not likely to purchase a download at all. i typically like to buy vinyl that comes with a download card. sometimes i've paid for an out of print download. if i actually do buy a download i am more inclined to hit a paypal button on a label's site for a download code than to purchase from itunes.

however. every once in a while i end up with an itunes gift card.

I think you need to set-forth some goals for the 2nd release on your label:
1) Are you trying to turn a profit on it? Itunes probably is not your best bet. But if you're looking for profits you might want to fold your label now.
2) Are you trying to gain exposure for the band and your label? Not sure why you wouldn't use itunes. I'm a music dork who participates on an online music board. I barely know about band camp. Itunes and Amazon are the best bet for exposure to any kind of audience. Sure Kid Rock doesn't need itunes, but he's already got a fan base.

Sounds great, Dalen Kitty. Way to keep street teaming

I just use iTunes as a music storage and playback software. I've probably bought a total of 4 albums from the store in 6 years.

Good stuff.

But seriously, I've bought albums off the iTunes store from what might call low exposure artists and when iTunes does there suggestion thing e.g. "You bought this Glass Vaults, other who have purchased this have also browsed these artists etc. etc." I've found some cool stuff. So no, it's not really tough for people to really discover something new on iTunes at all.

Shouldn't be the point...
Why not have your stuff in as many places as possible?

More places it is...more places it can be discovered and sold....

isn't that the purpose of a business?

ding ding ding

I've never bought anything at itunes and even have some gift cards that I don't have much interest in using but it seems to me that you'd be screwing your bands if you left them off of itunes when Itunes is 80% of digital sales.

1) Nah, at this point it's a hobby. I will make money with the releases if they sell out, but I'm not driven by money. I already have a career.
2) Absolutely, both. I'm just questioning the actual amount of exposure these artists will really get on iTunes, and if they can profit more from say Bandcamp, why not head that route?

not in here, the JUKBOXR thread

at the end of the day, i will probably end up trying out iTunes.

Dale, I think Dov nailed it - you should have your releases available in whatever format people might happen upon. If it's not costing you money, there's no reason not to use it.

Personally, I mostly buy rap singles, but because it's your label, I would be more apt to purchase something, just to support it. I might not ever even listen to it, but I'll throw some bucks your way, simply because your a mate, and I like the idea of knowing a record company owner

And ask yourself what the worst thing that could happen by putting files up on iTunes is... if it's not really anything bad, then why not, other than altruistic motives that could hurt your client?

read Dov's comment again this AM, and agree. might as well try it out. it can't hurt.

thanks dude

I like downloading from Amazon. It's easy, I don't need any bloatware, I can sample things from any computer, and I can add mp3 albums to my Amazon wish list, so if I sample it at work, I can easily find it download it at home.