Magnatune - a step toward fair play?

Magnatune is not a new service (they've been around for 3 or 4 years), but it's a unique service for both artists and fans. Mr. Buckman has posted "Big Ideas" on his website:

• All music should be shareware. - he wants you to be able to listen and evaluate music before you buy.
• Distribution channels should be efficient and easy - he wants listeners to be able to easily find what they are looking for. Conversely, he would like artists to easily find their audience. Nice
• Artists should be in control of their art, and have a good time after their music is recorded - Very Nice. Who wants to put up with record labels anyway?
• Encourage creativity - Magnatune follows the Creative Commons system where derivative works and no-cost non-commercial use is practiced. I personally don't know how this encourages creativity. Perhaps someone can enlighten me.

OK, fair enough. Those are admirable goals. So, what's in it for the artists? Mr. Buckman lists reasons why you should sign up with him:

• He'll split the sale of your tunes 50/50. Wow! If you are a starving, unknown artist, your record label may never be able to sell enough to break-even. That means very little, or no money in your pocket. This is better than traditional label and distribution routes where the artist might make 10% after all is said and done. On the other hand, splitting the proceeds 50-50 seems a bit lopsided toward "the company", in my view. But, that's because I'm a composer and I worked hard for that music! What's Magnatune doing for me? Well, let's see... keep reading.
• Magnatune picks artists to maintain their quality library. OK, I would expect that, just like labels. For artists, as well as listeners, the quality and experience of Magnatune's review board is critical to its success. Makes sense, and I'm sure they've invested in this area as it is their most important skill set for survival. Offering quality music is the only recipe for sustained success.
• Magnatune states that they network artists with other artists, fans and promoters.
• Magnatune says: "The big money is in licensing music for games, movies and commercials." (Hmm... I'm not rich yet.) They go on "We promote your music for this use, and offer an easy system for music-licensing customers to find your music and buy it on-line." Yeah, I can see that distribution is easy since it's on the Internet. But, does Magnatune actually spend money promoting your music? How? Later Magnatune states: "You make the great music; we do the grunt work of finding money for it." That's cool. I'd like to know how they go about this. If they're good at it, then it's worth 50% of my creative labor!
• They further state: "What the Internet did for clip-art, we think we can do for music." Please, tell me this ain't so! I hope they don't mean that the music they promote is relegated to itsy-bitsy inappropriately edited sound bytes. I assume this is an example of how easily producers can pick out music for their product. However, I don't see this on the site.
• Finally: "Your contract with us is totally non-exclusive and limited only to the music you send us." That's what I'm talkin' 'bout! Yeah! Now, that's worth it. Has it taken the world nearly a hundred years to think of the artist? Thanks Magnatune!

OK, here's what I think is interesting about Magnatune - fans pay what they feel is fair (above the $5 minimum) for an album (should we still call them albums?). Curiously, Mr. Buckman reports the average listeners have shelled out is just under $9 per album. And, you can audition the music before you buy. Cool. As an artist, I think this is great.

All in all, this is a fair deal for fans and artists. I'd like to know more about how Magnatune promotes music - more than merely setting up shop on the Internet. Fans and game producers must still find the site. Although I would like to see more Jazz artists, Mr. Buckman seems sincere in protecting and encouraging artists and offering great music to the public. I think Magnatune should change their tagline:

The RIAA is Evil

Check out Kitka. I'm currently listening to track 2 (Malo Selo) on their album Nectar. I love those minor 2nds!

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