Why independent composers should release on netlabels.
Over the summer, I released two albums of my work with two European netlabels. Solid State, a collection of tape music, live electro-acoustic music, and acoustic chamber music, was released on Petcord, while Untitled, 2006 – 2009, a selection of recordings made with my custom software instruments, was released on Digitalbiotope.
I’ve had almost 1,500 downloads of “Solid State” alone, according to Archive.org. (Who knows, that number may be higher in reality… these are both Creative Commons licensed works, so copying and sharing is encourage.) I cannot think of a better way for a young, independent composer to gain a bit of exposure. Petcord also run a streaming internet radio station, Leftob, so anything they release (or anything else they find and enjoy) is given some play on the station. It’s a great way to get your music out to some new listeners, who might be tuning in because of another artists work that they enjoy.
It can be difficult, but it’s important to find a netlabel who has released similar music to yours. Petcord’s previous releases were not necessarily focused on the same things as mine, but Olliver, one of the operators, was quite interested and totally positive about putting my music out.
As you can see in some posts below, my releases have literally gotten global attention, from Hungary, to Estonia, and Duke University.
I’m thinking next about some netlabel-specific music releases, possibly consisting of a piece of software rather than a recording. More here when that happens.
Musician/hacker living in San Diego, CA. Studying computer music at UCSD. 