Some indie bands have turned to USB drives for releases because they can order fewer units and spend less money than they would for an order of 1,000 CDs, said Ed Donnelly, president of Los Angeles-based Aderra, which makes drives for Barenaked Ladies, Jars of Clay and indie bands like Los Angeles’ Killola.
#The bedlam in goliath free download download
“You don’t have to download it on a computer, you put it in and it comes up, (and) there’s plenty of room to add additional material.” “USB is going to be the future,” Lippman said.
Manager Michael Lippman said that “tens of thousands” have been sold. In October, Matchbox Twenty released its latest album, “Exile on Mainstream,” on USB bracelets, putting out an initial 25,000 units. Guggenheim said that about one wristband is sold for every three CDs of Starr’s album. Starr wore a wristband containing his latest album, “Liverpool 8,” to the Grammy Awards, getting attention for the release that a CD jewel case certainly wouldn’t. “It’s for the hardcore fan that wants tons of pictures, who really wants something more and the opportunity to get new stuff every month.”įor bands, USB drives offer a cooler way to get their music to fans in a souvenir package that fans can wear or carry with them, giving the band free promotion. Badu will create new bonus features throughout the year for those who buy “Nu AmErykah” on USB. Those who buy the Mars Volta USB stick get a new extra on the 29th of each month, ranging from bonus tracks to wallpaper. Universal doesn’t expect to make money on the 2,000 USB units it put out for the Mars Volta release or on the 2,000 USB units it will put out for Erykah Badu’s February 26 release, “Nu AmErykah,” Universal senior vice president of digital business development Cameo Carlson said.īut it does expect to keep fans connected to both acts. But costs can rise to $17 per unit or more for flash drives with more memory and other additions. Guggenheim said that bracelets generally cost $5 to $7 per unit.
The cost of putting an album out on a USB drive is pricier than releasing it on a CD, partly because bands aren’t placing bulk orders and partly because flash drives cost more than discs. “It’s the only for-sure non-stolen product.” HIGHER MANUFACTURING COSTSĪt this point, the releases are offered more as collectibles to build fan loyalty than as sources of revenue. “The selling point to the labels is a really good one - it’s a marriage between merchandise and music so that people will at least buy it instead of stealing it because they want the merchandise,” All Access CEO Chris Guggenheim said. Austin-based All Access, the company behind USB releases from Matchbox Twenty and Starr, has signed deals with EMI, Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group to make USB bracelets for other artists. The Mars Volta joins a growing number of recording artists who have experimented with USB releases in recent months, among them Jennifer Lopez, Ringo Starr and Matchbox Twenty. Users simply plug it into their computer’s USB drive and then listen to the album or download it into their music library.
The device comes with a digital-rights-management-free version of the album and the promise of more bonus materials in coming months. Instead of a CD or digital version of the Universal album, fans could buy a $30 (15.30 pound) USB drive designed like a Ouija board planchette. Starr is one of several recording artists who have experimented with USB releases in recent months, including Jennifer Lopez, the Mars Volta and Matchbox Twenty. Former Beatle Ringo Starr poses for photographers at a photocall to mark the start of Liverpool's year as the European Capital of Culture in Liverpool, northern England, January 11, 2008.
0 kommentar(er)
