RHAPSODY

Here is a famous exemple of a contract-like music distribution. Only available in the U.S, for $10 a month, you can access to all the music Rhapsody has. The down side, and what made the polemic, is that it is not DRM free, which means that you are limited in the use of the tracks you have downloaded. It is a model that needs to be developped and can be promising with the help of technology (c.f Rick Rubin).

Source: RHAPSODY

TUNECORE

If you make music and you have mp3 files that you wish you could distribute via the big digital distributing channels, I am happy to tell you not to wish anymore, because you can! And you want to hear another good thing? They will not ask you for anything. No charge, no rights, no copyrights and no masters... Everything that is sold will get back to you. Interested? Click on the link below.

Source: TUNECORE

GROOVESHARK

For those who don't like downloading a swoftware such as spotify, here is an alternative. Grooveshark is pretty much the same as spotify, but no software needed. Therefore, you can have access to free music where ever you are, as long as you have an internet connection, and you don't need your own computer with the software. The website streams 60 million songs per month.

Source: GROOVESHARK

SPIRALFROG

Launched last month, SpiralFrog lets users download music for free, in return for viewing advertising. In addition to viewing ads while searching for and downloading music, the service requires users to log in to the site and view ads at least once every 30 days, or the downloaded music for the account becomes disabled. SpiralFrog is built on a revenue-sharing agreement with participating labels, and currently offers a catalog of 800,000 songs and 3,500 music videos.

Source: SPIRALFROG

JAMENDO

Another website giving away all the music for free! How's that possible? By using a Creative Commons license. It also generates revenue via ads on the website for the artists who set up a shop. Users can also donate money directly to the artists.

Source: JAMENDO

RCRD LBL

Have you ever wished that you could download music for free, in good quality, without any risk? Well it is possible! RCRD LBL is an online-only record label that puts music from their artists for free. It actually is from 15 different record labels (partners on this one) that the artists come from. And the website doesn't only provide music but other content too such as interview, reviews etc... MOre and more artists are getting on this website, from famous to upcoming and from any genre so anyone can find happiness.

Source: RCRD LBL

22 TRACKS

The first post is about the new website 22 Tracks. The website was first launched on the 22nd of October 2009 and was co-created by radio DJ Vincent Reinders and Gilles de Smit. The idea of the website is to have 22 genres of music, with 22 tracks for each genre. This way they want to give an overview of the latest music and promote new artists. The websie is completely free, with the possibility to buy the tracks via iTunes. The website is very interesting as it permits the user to discover new artists or genres. It is possible to make your own play list. The interface is also very freindly. Each track list is updated regularly. It definitely is a must to check out!

Source: 22 Tracks