Garageband Records (http://www.garageband.com) demonstrated its support for Internet radio today by announcing a new turnkey service that will provide webcasters with an alternative and more affordable source of music. This announcement is part of the company’s broader plan to promote its independent artists through multiple channels including Internet, college and commercial radio.
In addition, as part of the International Webcasting Association’s (IWA) “Campaign to Save Internet Radio,” Garageband announced that its artists will be showcased during a twenty-day live broadcast in Las Vegas. The broadcast begins today at 12:00pm PDT and can be accessedfrom www.SaveInternetRadio.net and www.Webcasters.org.
Garageband’s service comes in the context of a legislative debate over high royalty rates on Internet radio stations. Many independent stations, facing the real threat of going out of business due to these fees, have turned to independent music in hopes of an alternative. Garageband’s solution gives webcasters a new source of music and a way to keep listeners happy while providing top independent artists with a unique opportunity to be heard by new audiences.
“Providing Internet radio stations with music from Garageband’s membership of 50,000 independent bands is a perfect way for us to promote emerging artists and help people discover new music,” said Garageband’s CEO, Ali Partovi. “This is a powerful avenue for unsigned bands to reach the ears of the millions of people who listen to Internet radio every day.”
Garageband’s new service will let webcasters reach 50,000 musicians through a single point of contact, instead of requiring them to negotiate separately with individual bands. The service will include a music-matching feature so that webcasters can easily find the best content for their audience instead of sorting through thousands of songs on their own. This leverages Garageband’s giant music database, which matches listener information such as age, zip code, and favorite radio stations to song preferences. Internet webcasters will pay the same royalties as terrestrial radio stations (ASCAP/BMI), but not the additional Internet-only fees imposed by the Digital Music Copyright Act.
Garageband artists will receive additional airplay in the IWA’s “Campaign to Save Internet Radio” broadcast. “Garageband.com represents an impressive and deep pool of talented artists deserving of recognition and airplay. Many artists would never get the opportunity to bring their music to the forefront without Internet radio,” said Kevin Shively, Chairman of the IWA Legislative Committee. “Likewise, many Internet radio stations focus a significant amount of programming on indie artists, making this a perfect match for both webcasters and Garageband.com.”
“This is great news. I’ve listened to just a few of Garageband’s artists and look forward to featuring their music on my station,” said Vince Vielhaber, CEO of Mean Stream Radio, an Internet radio station from Mean Stream Entertainment.
