tunited

[ianz]

Hi all,
Just got a heads up from a colleague about this new music site launched by Midge Ure.
Gives independent artists the chance to upload content for streaming/downloading with better margins than aggregators can offer for itunes etc.
(The usual disclaimer: I have no commerical interest in the site other than I'm considering putting Lucy's original material up there)
As we've discussed payment to artists in a recent thread I though it may be of interest.
The cynic realist in me says it appears too good to be true, but Midge Ure has been a long-time advocate for artists receiving fair payment, so I'm prepared to take a look at the T&Cs.
Anyone else have an opinion?

[Deleted]

Hi Ian
Does actually look quite interesting, and they're reassuringly open about how the money breaks down beta.tunited.com/about/howTunitedWorks
One advantage that leaps out is that they pay a flat royalty rate for streams, whereas the model used by Last fm and Spotify has been to slice up their royalties according to the percentage of the total plays that went to the artist in question. Also it's good that one doesn't have to be a member of the PRS (although that's also true for the other sites I've just mentioned). In fact, from the artist's point of view it looks like a pretty solid deal.
The test is whether people actually take up listening through it. In order to stream music on the site, you need 'credits'. You start with 50 and can gain them through buying things, encouraging your friends to join, getting sales of music you've posted to your site, that kind of thing. For the system to work it will have to be quite easy to stay in credit. No one will stick around if they really have to work for it. Given that you get 300 credits whenever you download an album it would seem pretty likely that listeners will be able to stay comfortably in credit and so will stick around.
As a straightforward supplier of an online music store I would say that bandcamp is still the best (no commercial interest except that I sell music through them) but this site aims at providing exposure through a listening community as well. If that community aspect works out then it should be a very positive addition to the growing list of online music retailers

[ianz]

I've put up some tracks from Lucy, recorded in Birmingham in 2008. beta.tunited.com/lucyzirins
Only put up 3 at present just to get a feel for how it develops....

[bod]

Hi Ian

Looks a nice site - I'd have had a listen too, but I've packed my audio interface and now can't work out how to get sound out the PC without it (used to work before but I think the interface might have changed some settings).

Also looks like they're making quite a thing of playing it straight and providing clear info about their policies and commitments (beta.tunited.com/about/howTunitedWorks). Speaking of which, I was interested to see that they say that they don't aim to make money out of downloads and that they are doing a tree-planting for downloads "carbon neutral music" thing (and they give a nod to the late Mr Strummer for his efforts in this area, a nice touch I thought.)

[ianz]

thnaks for that Bod, yes I'm inclined to agree that they are presenting a friendly face all round, and I am pleased witht heir transparency on charges etc. I also like the freedom it gives, that you're not tied to them as your sole distribution medium.
I take it from your comments that you've finally made the move down south? If so, good luck and hope you settle back there OK - I guess you'll miss those friendly northerners, but perhaps not the weather?!

[bod]

Jul 30, 2010 11:49:10 GMT ianz said:

I take it from your comments that you've finally made the move down south? If so, good luck and hope you settle back there OK - I guess you'll miss those friendly northerners, but perhaps not the weather?!

Yep, finally moving back to Pompey, going next Friday, it'll seem a tad strange after 21 years in Lancaster but I dare say we'll (re)adjust eventually. Thanks for the kind wishes. No doubt we'll miss a few things, but not that constant Lancastrian humidity - as you'll well know it tends to be kinda damp round here even when its not raining! I wonder if that's bad for guitars (he said, desparately seeking a way to get back on topic ;D)