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- October 2004 -
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Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Sites Where You Can Get Your Music Reviewed 3. Radio Shows that will Play Your Music 4. Online Services that will Help to Sell Your Music 5. Sites Where You Can Upload Your Band's MP3s or Videos 6. Helpful Music Resources 7. ""UPC & Barcodes for Pennies and Sense by Lygia Ferra, LAMusicGuide.com ------------------------------------------------------------------- SELL THOUSANDS OF CDs ON THE INTERNET! "How to Build a Music Web Site That Sells" is a step-by-step guide to the best-kept secrets of selling more CDs on the Internet you ever thought was possible. "This is the most on-the-money best laid-out easy and entertaining incredibly informative absolutely accurate and insightful book I have ever seen on the subject of promoting your music online." - Derek Sivers, CDBaby and Hostbaby Beat major labels on the Web: http://www.musicpromotiontips.com ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ MAKE YOUR BAND'S DEMO COME ALIVE!! Let TOURdatabase.com convert your band demo into a multimedia experience! We will take your current demo and combine your Music, Photos, Bio & Contact Information into an interactive multimedia demo for you to distribute. For more information visit http://www.tourdatabase.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THIS MONTH'S PRIZE WINNERS This month's winner of the Sennheiser E835 microphone (visit http://www.sennheiserusa.com ) - Mike Birnberg, Brooklyn, NY This month's winner of a pair of Sennheiser HD280Pro headphones (visit http://www.sennheiserusa.com ) - Victor Pryles, Rockland, MA This month's winner of full mastering of your CD by Rare Form Mastering (visit http://www.RareFormMastering.com ) is: - Christin Cook, Houston, TX This month's winner of the A&R Directory (for more information visit http://www.musicregistry.com ) is: - Emow, Hollywood, CA The winner of "The Songwriter's Guide to Demo Submission" e-book by Brian Cook (for more information on this book, visit http://www.songwritersguide.com) - Philip Reed, Denver, CO This month's winner of the musicSUBMIT music promotion and publicity service (for more information visit http://www.musicsubmit.com ) is: - Bruce Swanson, Aurora, CO This month's winner of "How To Successfully Promote Your Music on the Internet" e-book by David Nevue (for more information on this book, visit http://www.promoteyourmusic.com ) is: - Timo Närväinen, Espoo, Finland This month's winner of "The Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook" e-book by Bob Baker (for more info visit http://www.thebuzzfactor.com) is: - Sandira, London, England The winner of the Galaris Musician's Directory (for more information visit http://www.galaris.com/GMD.html?icb ) is: - Dan Smolla, Bloomingdale, IL This month's winner of the an Artist Press Kit (ArtistPK) (for more information visit http://TOURdatabase.com ) is: - Samy Elgazzar, Athens-Alimos, Greece This month's winner of a one year subscriptions to Electronic Musician Magazine (visit http://www.emusician.com) is: - Corey H. Maass, State College, PA ---------------------------------------------------------------------- HAS YOUR MUSIC BEEN FEATURED IN NEW YORK TIMES? Beat Wire will deliver your press release directly to the desk tops of over 5000 music editors at daily newspapers, magazines, news agencies, top Web sites, radio stations--every place you need to be promoted. Whether it's a new CD, upcoming tour, charity concert, or any other music-associated event you want to announce, there is hardly anything more potentially rewarding than a positive response to a well-written press release. Our clients have had their music featured in major media outlets like New York Times, CNN, Entertainment Weekly and USA Today to name just a few. In addition to press release distribution, Beat Wire can also write a press release for you. For more information, please got to http://www.beatwire.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- HAVE YOUR MUSIC EVALUATED BY INDUSTRY PROS! VISION MUSIC USA is a TRUE independent musician’s resource! Services include: Artist Development, Booking, A&R Consulting, Merchandise, Graphic Design, Web Design, CD Duplication, CD Mastering and much more! Take advantage of our great resources including a FREE DEMO EVALUATION for all artists reading this email! For more information, please contact us: Vision Music USA - Austin Office - 877-241-2613 or 512-585-1591 Vision Music USA - Boston Office - 877-269-4189 or 781-248-9960 Email - info@visionmusicusa.com Visit - http://www.visionmusicusa.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. INTRODUCTION Welcome to the October Indie Contact Newsletter. There is only one article this month because there are a LOT of listings for you to check out. I had the pleasure of meeting Lygia Ferra while I was attending a conference in Los Angeles recently. Lygia is an artist, freelance writer, and also writes for the "LA Music Guide". She has written an article that will help you to better understand the importance of Bar Codes - what they are, why they're necessary, how Soundscan works, plus a valuable list of resources where you can find more information about them. I will be at the Global Entertainment & Media Summit on Nov. 6 and 7. http://www.globalentertainmentnetwork.com If you're in the New York City area, I highly recommend that you check out this conference. It's inexpensive, and there are always lots of great panels. I'll have a booth there, so if you do attend, please stop by to say hello. As is the case every month, there is a large group of new contacts listed that can help you to gain more exposure for your music. So dig in, and enjoy the October issue of The Indie Contact Newsletter! David Wimble Editor The Indie Contact Newsletter newsletter@indiebible.com ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Below are the contacts that were submitted to me in September. The contacts listed are sorted into FIVE sections. 1. Publications that will review your music 2. Radio stations/shows that will play your music 3. Services that will help you to sell your music 4. Sites where you can upload your band's MP3s or videos 5. Helpful resources and promotional sites for recording artists -------------------------------------------------------------------- THE INDIE BIBLE is the All-In-One resource for Recording Artists. It lists 4000 publications that will review your music and 3200 radio stations that will play your songs. ALL genres of music are covered! "I bought the Indie Bible and am still overwhelmed by it!" - Michael Grady, The Strange Angels Get your copy today at http://www.indiebible2004.com or visit your local Guitar Center, Sam Ash, Borders or Barnes & Noble (in Canada at Long & McQuade). -------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- Do your records rock? Do they sound huge like the big names? Punchy, warm, loud? Better than the competition? If not, Rare Form Mastering is the answer. Our experienced engineers, mastering grade processing and reference monitoring can bring that major label sound to your music. From your original mixes to the final delivery master, from our engineer's hands to your fans' stereo or surround system. Whether CD, DVD or vinyl, we have the experience to make your music sound the way your audience wants it to sound. Put our 2,500+ albums of mastering experience to work for you. http://www.RareFormMastering.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 2. SITES/PUBLICATIONS WHERE YOU CAN GET YOUR MUSIC REVIEWED @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Sing Out! PO Box 5460, Bethlehem, PA 18015 PH: 610-865-5366 FX: 610-865-5129 info@singout.org http://www.singout.org Feature articles and interviews, tons of recording and book reviews, the most comprehensive and up-to-date Folk festival and camp listing anywhere, plus regular columns on the Folk process, songwriting, storytelling and Children's music. Trad Music / Music Maker Magazine c/o Magnet Publishing Ltd. 28 Grafton Terrace, London NW5 4JJ UK PH: 020-7424-0027 Brian Healey tradmusic@btinternet.com http://www.tradmusic.net The official journal of the Music Maker Association. Dedicated to the promotion of independent record labels, songwriters & performers. Folk to Country, Rock, Jazz and World Music. The Village Broadsheet 302 E. 3rd St. #5A, New York, NY 10009 PH: 917-579-3586 FX: 877-471-4862 eric@ericfeig.com http://www.villagebroadsheet.com CD and show reviews. MusicShopper 11 Trout Road, Haslemere, Surrey, GU27 1RD, ENGLAND PH: 44-1428-656878 Stephen Reynolds info@musicshopper.info http://www.musicshopper.info We review and allow you to promote your music on our site. Sick Among the Pure PO Box 72043, Ottawa, ON K2K 2P4, Canada PH: 360-513-9121 Jett Black editor@sickamongthepure.com http://www.sickamongthepure.com Is your band of the alternative / industrial / metal / electronic genre (or sub-sub-sub-genre?) Do they just plain fucking rock? SATP is always interested in bringing established, up-and-coming, and underground artists to the forefront of everyone's attention. With an established circulation of 250,000 (and growing!) readers worldwide, we can get your band some attention! Thrasher Magazine 1303 Underwood Ave. San Francisco, CA 94124 PH: 415-822-3083 FX: 415-822-8359 greg@thrashermagazine.com http://www.thrashermagazine.com Covers the San Francisco Punk and Hardcore music scene. Ink 19 1189 Johnson St. Melbourne, FL 32935 PH: 860-985-4587 Rob Walsh walsh@ink19.com http://www.ink19.com Accepts CDs and artist bio's for review. ICON Magazine PH: 775-363-6821 FX: 425-799-0546 help@icon-magazine.com http://www.icon-magazine.com Monthly e-zine featuring the best independent artists/bands. Please contact via phone, fax, or email for press consideration. Daydreamer Music Reviews PO Box 198, Goole, DN14 0WZ UK Bryan Machon info@daydreamer-music-reviews.com http://www.daydreamer-music-reviews.com Professional, comprehensive album, demo and live reviews. Note: This is a paid service. --------------------------------------------------------------------- DISC MAKERS Announces NEW LOWER PRICES - 1,000 CDs in jewel boxes as low as $1,390! Package includes: - a free UPC barcode - worldwide distribution through CD Baby - free digital audio distribution with Disc Makers' DAD program - a free review of your music by TAXI - 300 11"x17" posters for only $99 Learn more at http://www.discmakers.com/hl Also visit this site to get a FREE "Musician's Guide to the Web" http://www.discmakers.com/imbible @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 3. RADIO SHOWS THAT WILL PLAY YOUR MUSIC @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ iRADIO Los Angeles - 91.7 FM 561 S. Calvados Ave. Covina, CA 91723 PH: 626-780-6323 FX: 626-974-4776 Mark Coon iradiola@yahoo.com http://www.iradiola.com We are an independent radio station playing only independent artists and bands. Maltanetworkresources Praise and Worship Internet Radio PH: 356-99882177 Clyde Meli streamingprobs@catholichealing.com http://www.maltanetworkresources.com A 24 hour Catholic Christian internet radio from Malta playing a range of praise and worship songs as well as contemporary Christian artists. "Highway 61" and "Un Mondo Di Musica" (A World Of Music) PO Box 12, 15040 San Michele, Alessandria, Italy PH: 39-131-225791 FX: 39-131-225791 Massimo Ferro highway61@interfree.it http://www.highway61.it The two radio shows of Italian DJ Massimo Ferro on Radio Voce Spazio 93.800, Italy. Highway 61 plays American Roots based music (Folk, Country, Bluegrass, Blues but also Roots Rock, Americana, Alternative Country, etc.) Un Mondo Di Musica deals with every form of Folk, Roots & World Music from around the globe. Music Maker Web Radio c/o Magnet Publishing Ltd. 28 Grafton Terrace, London NW5 4JJ UK PH: 020-7424-0027 Brian Healey tradmusic@btinternet.com http://www.musicmaker-web.co.uk Music covering different styles from Folk to Country, Rock, Jazz and World music. If you have produced a CD you would like to hear broadcast on this station, just send a copy to the Editor. The Tink's Metal Show on WVUD The Tink thetinksinc@lycos.com http://www.thetinksinc.com/radio.htm The TINK is metal incarnate. Radio. Video. Online. And, In Person. He is the Godfather. He is the man, the myth, the legend and the entity that makes it possible for the rest of us to be metal. WRKL (Polskie Radio New York) 1551 Rte. 202, Pomona, NY 10970 PH: 845-354-2000 FX 845-354-4796 WRKL@polskieradio.com http://www.polskieradio.com Polish radio. Plays Independent music. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Get started selling your CDs at IndieGate.com for only $30.00 Have you wanted to get involved with the online indie pioneers at the InterMixx IndieGate, but those pesky $$$ were holding you back? Well, not any more! Sell your indie CD through the InterMixx IndieGate and get started right now for a low set-up fee of only $30.00. It's never been this affordable to get involved with InterMixx, so let the company that's been helping the indie market grow for almost 20 years help YOUR market to grow as well! Please visit http://www.IndieGate.com and become a Merchant Member right now! --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out the new InterMixx DIScPLAY! Now indies can sell more CDs at live events with this durable mobile listening station! Comes complete with integrated CD player. Easily portable, it closes to contain and protect all items neatly. Simple, quick and easy to use... just open it and set it on your merch table. Purchase price includes one set-up fee for IndieGate.com. http://www.DIScPLAY.net --------------------------------------------------------------------- @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 4. ONLINE SERVICES/LABELS THAT WILL HELP SELL YOUR MUSIC @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ The CD Party 236 Fairmont Court PH: 615-293-8887 FX: 615-329-9831 Bill Lee McCleskey bill@thecdparty.com http://www.TheCDparty.com We sell and Promote indie music online and worldwide, representing all genres of music from Country, to Hip Hop, Blues, Jazz, Soul, Rock, Pop, Reggae, Spoken Word, Gospel, etc. Artists can sell and receive personal a page on our site for a one-time fee of $25. BlackCat Talent & Entertainment/ Blackcat Music Publishing PO Box 26174, El Paso, TX 79926 David O. Samaniego info@blackcattalent.com http://www.blackcattalent.com A multi-service company within the music & film industry. X-Static Records 190 E. Olmstead Dr., Suite B-7, Titusville, FL 32780 PH: 321-735-9428 Marty True info@x-staticrecords.com http://www.x-staticrecords.com Independent record label specializing in Dance, Pop, Hip Hop & modern Rock. Remembrance Records 13001 Summit School Rd. #1 Woodbridge, VA 22192 PH: 703-499-1720 FX: 703-491-1813 Rana Sobhany remembrancerecords@yahoo.com http://www.remembrancerecords.com Emo, Indie and Hardcore label out of Washington, DC constantly looking for bands who can bring the rock. 4Sight Media Relations 555 Washington Ave. #2F, Brooklyn, NY 11238 PH: 718-789-1818 FX: 718-789-0808 Jackie O. Asare jackieo@4sightmedia.com http://www.4sightmedia.com A diversified public relations firm whose areas of media specialty includes, but is not limited to recording artists, television and motion picture personalities, special events, and other corporate and individual projects that require unique entertainment/music-based experience. Doublehorn Entertainment 104 Doublehorn, Stephenville, TX 76401 PH: 254-968-7185 Mark Murphy management@doublehorn.com http://Doublehorn.com Management for selected Rock, Metal & Heavy bands. By Faith Records PO Box 431647, Pontiac, MI 48343 PH: 313-531-3808 FX: 313-531-3808 Anthony Frazier byfaithprez2@aol.com http://www.byfaithrecords.com We provide spiritual uplifting through music. Ritual Records Music PH: 323-605-3429 Stacy Lande ritualrecords@hotmail.com http://ritualrecordsmusic.com An independent label providing full service artist development. We'll help you manage everything from booking gigs, to getting your CD designed, recorded and sold! We are always looking for talented new bands and musicians to promote! At Ritual Records we build Rock Stars! Hi-Fi Disasters Suite 392, 1100 Memorial Ave. Thunder Bay, ON, P7B4A3 Canada PH: 807-472-9082 Jason Bruce jason@hifidisasters.com http://www.hifidisasters.com Distributor of independent Hardcore, Punk, & Thrash music. Ichiban Music 3809 Osage Dr. Rowlett, TX 75088 PH: 214-850-1102 Ty Keller tkeller@ichibanmusic.com http://www.ichibanmusic.com Supporting Indie artists and labels through Internet music sales and information. Factory Chime Records Lance Leonnig factorychime@msn.com http://www.factorychime.com Independent online music distribution and sales. Lux.-NOISE Productions Steinengraben 30, CH-4058 BASEL - Switzerland PH: 41-61-271-39-05 Michael Hediger info@luxnoise.com http://www.luxnoise.com Record label & promotion company. Alternative/Garage-Rock! NO ELECTRONIC-stuff! cdreeves.co.uk 14 Whitchurch Close, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 7TZ UK PH: 01628-674184 Daniel Reeves hello@cdreeves.co.uk http://www.cdreeves.co.uk Albums and ep's from unsigned bands and independent labels. Ara Tipu 10 Raleigh Street, Cambridge, Waikato 2351, New Zealand PH: 6478276863 Stewart McFarlane stewart@aratipu.co.nz http://www.aratipu.co.nz New Zealand music distributor for new & emerging artists. M.P. Records Via Municipio, 5 - 35019 Tombolo -Padova- ITALY PH: 39-049-9470749 FX: 39-049-9470748 Vannuccio Zanella mprecords@mprecords.it http://www.mprecords.it A vendor/label that sells Independent music. Retrospect Records 18 Lakeside Ave. Webster, MA 01570 PH: 508-943-5839 Joe Dolan joedolan@retrospectrecords.com http://www.RetrospectRecords.com Independent label for bands who are a cut above the rest. Sunshine Daydream CDs & Gifts 2027 E. Euclid Ave, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056 PH: 847-299-2622 Mark Paradise sales@sunshinedaydream.biz http://www.sunshinedaydream.biz New & Used CD retail store that specializes in Jamband music. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- YOU NEED BETTER SALES AND DISTRIBUTION FOR YOUR CD. If your CD isn't for sale in CD Baby, you're losing sales! CD Baby has been featured in the NY Times, MSNBC, Wired, CNET and more. 10,000 CUSTOMERS A DAY go through cdbaby.com looking for CDs like yours. Such a popular online store, you HAVE to make sure your CD is there. They pay $20,000 a week to musicians like you (over $1 million so far!) ALL YOU HAVE TO DO TO START SELLING is go to http://www.cdbaby.net Takes 5 minutes. Send them a box of CDs. They'll sell them and pay you. Real cool people. Total first-class treatment. Great CD distribution. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DAD (Digital Audio Distribution) http://www.discmakers.com/dad Launched by DISC MAKERS the DAD service gives independent bands and artists the opportunity to sell their songs online on sites like Apple's iTunes Music Store, Listen.com's Rhapsody, AOL's MusicNet, Emusic, a nd newcomer BuyMusic.com. The DAD service is FREE with all new CD orders with DISC MAKERS. The service is also available to artists who do not make their CDs with DISC MAKERS for only $75. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 5. SITES WHERE YOU CAN UPLOAD YOUR BAND'S MP3s OR VIDEOS @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ MusicGorilla.com 12407 Mopac Expressway N. 100-312, Austin, TX 78758 PH: 512-918-8978 FX: 212-258-6394 info@musicgorilla.com http://www.musicgorilla.com Finally, artists receive the access and exposure to the Music Industry (major labels, indie labels, film studios and publishers) that is necessary to take their career to the next level. No longer must artists find themselves in the right place at the right time. MusicGorilla.com is that place and time. --------------------------------------------------------------------- SELL THE INDIE BIBLE FROM YOUR WEBSITE AND MAKE SOME EXTRA CASH!! The Indie Bible is one of the most popular resources for Independent Recording Artists in the world. As an affiliate, you will receive $10 US for each sale of the Indie Bible generated through your site! Visit http://www.indiebible2004.com/whole.shtml for details. -------------------------------------------------------------------- @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 6. HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR BAND @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Festival Network Online http://festivalnet.com/ib There's nothing like a live performance! FNO lists more than 7,000 events throughout the U.S. and Canada seeking performers, from local & regional to national & international. Search by 22 different music genres, event attendance, zip code radius & more. Plug in festival dates with club dates. Mediaguide, Inc. 1000 Chesterbrook Blvd. Suite 150, Berwyn, PA 19312 Paul E. Wright AMSales@mediaguide.com http://www.artistmonitor.com A technology-based music monitoring company that provides radio airplay information products on nearly 2,500 college, non-commercial and commercial broadcast stations to music industry professionals, artists, and radio stations. Our ArtistMonitor service gives you 24/7, online access to exactly when, where and how often over-the-air radio stations play your music...down to the minute it was played. NocturnalMovements.net c/o Music Media, PO Box 5583, Vancouver, WA 98668 PH: 360-513-9121 Jett Black submissions@nocturnalmovements.net http://nocturnalmovements.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi Find and post music news, web links, resources, reviews, interviews, media contact info, gig swap info, events, photographers, fetish, graphic designers, comic strip artists, music writers, DJs, and promotors, our collective music mpromotersand promotion services, and so much more!! Music Arsenal 12105 W. Center Rd. #280, Omaha, NE 68144 PH: 818-303-3161 Jimmy Winter jimmy@musicarsenal.com http://www.musicarsenal.com A new way for record labels to organize, track and utilize their business information. Our unique application replaces many separate utilities and combines them into one easy to use, time-saving package custom tailored to the music industry. The Almighty Institute of Music Retail 11724 Ventura Blvd. Suite B, Studio City, CA 91604 PH: 323-851-2430 Clark Benson clark@almightyretail.com http://www.almightyretail.com Services record labels and youth culture companies looking to promote their product in record stores and other outlets that sell prerecorded music. DEMO: Digital & Electronic Music Organization, Inc. 244 5th Avenue, #C292, New York, NY 10001-7604 PH: 212-252-2359 FX: 212-591-0650 Andre Gray andregray@d-e-m-o.com http://www.d-e-m-o.com Online music sales certifications on a global scale. Clarke Entertainment Law Nationwide, serve clients online PH: 877-687-4291 Daphne Clarke, Esq. lawmanager2004@yahoo.com http://www.clarkeentertainmentlaw.com Our music teleworkshops educate and provide practical tips for independent artists to gain exposure on radio and via marketing. DigiPie 22647 Ventura Blvd. #145 Woodland Hills, CA 91364 PH: 800-582-0932 max davis artists@digipie.com http://digipie.com Offers creators/artists powerfull tools to profit from their digital creations from A-Z built into our model and software. All-Access-Minus 87 Gless Ave. 2nd. Floor Belleville, NJ 07109 PH: 732-266-9828 M. Pimentel jk224nj@aol.com http://www.minusp.com Site for upcoming Hip-Hop artists in the tri-state area. Lyrics Incorporated Magazine PH: 800-759-8888 R.Allen navjoallen@yahoo.com http://www.lyricsinc.0catch.com A monthly magazine for the independent world of music. Our stories span the country and overseas. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BOOST TRAFFIC TO YOUR WEBSITE WITH THE INDIE LINK EXCHANGE! The Indie Link Exchange is a list of music sites that wish to exchange links with other music related sites. With over 1200 current listings, it's a great way to get some FREE exposure for your site. It's a simple one-to-one exchange of text links or banners. ALL styles of music sites are welcome! http://www.indielinkexchange.com/ile -------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- SONICBIDS is an online service that connects musicians and music promoters. Instead of mailing out traditional, bulky press kits, Sonicbids' members email Sonicbids Electronic Press Kits (EPKs). Soncbids EPKs - which contain the MP3 files, pictures, press reviews and contact information - can be easily emailed to anyone, anywhere! In addition, members can directly submit their EPKs to some of the world's biggest festivals, clubs, and conferences for free. Members are also eligible for exclusive Sonicbids spots at some of the hottest conferences around the world. Promote your band in a powerful new way, for only $49.95 a year. Go to http://www.sonicbids.com/default.asp?pID=1435 today! ------------------------------------------------------------------- @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ 7. UPC & BARCODES FOR PENNIES AND SENSE by Lygia Ferra, LAMusicGuide.com © 2004 All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ With all the details that go into making a CD it is easy to put off making certain decisions, especially if there is cost involved or contradictory information. So what exactly is a barcode? Bar codes are also called UPC Symbols (generated by the Uniform Code Council (www.uc-council.org.) They are the small black and white lines that correspond to a unique 12 digit number used to track sales of CD's, while Sound scan correlates the information with your barcode in their database. Unless you are planning on starting a record label and putting out a number of releases with several artists, the $750 expense isn't really necessary. Soundscan Since Soundscan (www.soundscan.com) has a direct influence on placement in Billboard and CMJ music charts and other forms of recognition, payola has all been obliterated. It is a tracking system that did away with the potentially subjective reports of radio programmers and store managers prior to 1991. Sound Scan's records are not public, so the only way to access their data is open an account at a minimum price of several thousand dollars per year. The only ones checking are the larger labels and bigger companies. If you want to impress, you would need to sell more than 1,000 units to catch their eye. Why do you need one? One reason why you may need a barcode at all is that most stores and online retailers require an UPC code on every product they sell. So sparing the $750 expense, you can acquire one through Oasis or Discmakers for "free" when you replicate your discs, or through CD Baby for a modest $20 fee. In the case of CD Baby the agreement does not bind you to the company in any way, other than having them listed as your "Parent Label" in Sound Scan's database. They provide you with the code as an electronic image, and you can include it in any cover art as appropriate. How do you get credit for sales? To ensure you are properly credited for all record sales as in the case of Discmakers you fax the necessary forms to Soundscan (914-328-0234), you will need a separate form for each release. Any independent artist or band can have their retail sales tracked through Sound scan, though only a label with two or more acts can take part in their Venue Sales Reporting Procedure. You must also have been in business two years or more, with a $500 fee. It's never too late You can always purchase one afterwards and have them printed on stickers. If you do it yourself make sure your printer is at least 720 dpi so they will read correctly. You can easily download a shareware barcode. A simple search for "UPC Barcode" @ http://shareware.cnet.com, or http://www.download.com will yield many results. Alternatives You can also go through a company (usually with a minimum order of 1,000 stickers) they will print them out for you, saving you the hassle of doing it yourself. If you are only going to sell your product at gigs or through alternative means, you really do not need a barcode at all. But for a mere $20, CD baby will save you all the worry and give you many more possibilities to sell your product. Sources: The Uniform Code Council: 1-800-543-8137 www.uc-council.org Soundscan: (914) 684-5525 www.soundscan.com clientservices@soundscan.com Note: If you do decide to bite the bullet and purchase a barcode through the Uniform Code Council the process can take a number of weeks so allow for that extra time. Independent Records: 1000 stickers Single Format Registration, Price: $55.00 https://www.indierec.com/s-barcodes-register.html Bar Codes Talk, Inc: 888-728-4009 Florida $30.00 shipping included. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Lygia Ferra is a Singer/Songwriter, Producer and Entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. In addition to helping with the IMB, she is actively involved with developing the LA Music Guide site (where this article originally appeared) (www.lamusicguide.com). Please visit www.lygiaferra.com, for more information. ------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to the award-winning free ezine/webzine MUSIC MORSELS - the music industry's monthly publication featuring self-help for musicians and songwriters including interviews with national and unsigned recording artists, industry profiles, CD reviews and much more. Just send an email to MusMorsels@aol.com with the word "Subscribe" in the subject field. MUSICIANS & LABELS: Send your press kits (must send complete press kit (photo, bio, clippings), not just a CD) to us for possible upcoming reviews or interviews in Music Morsels. We cover all genres. Mail to: Sandy Serge, Editor, Music Morsels, PO Box 672216, Marietta, GA 30006-0037 USA URL - http://www.serge.org/musicmorsels.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Indie-Music.com - Where Serious Musicians Surf One of the original musician resource websites, Indie-Music.com offers thousands of contacts - venues, studios, media, radio, labels, and more. Plus, an extensive archive of how-to's for the music business, and up-to-date commentary on the industry. The Indie News newsletter provides a free tip sheet with listings for radio airplay, record label submissions, gig opportunities, and more. http://www.indie-music.com ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- WE HAVE THE A&R CONTACTS YOU NEED! The A&R Registry, Publisher Registry, Music Attorney, Legal & Business Affairs Registry and the Film & Television Music Guide are the four directories no Professional or Musician should be without if you are serious about your career. Each directory covers the US, Canada and UK markets and comes complete with direct dial phone numbers, fax numbers, email addresses, assistant names and company websites. For more information, sample listings or to place an order, go to our website at http://www.musicregistry.com or call us at 800-377-7411 or 818-995-7458. --------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- ARE YOU an unsigned act, songwriter or producer?? Looking for a Record, Publishing, Management and Licensing deal worldwide, especially in the UK and USA? Each month the BANDIT A&R NEWSLETTER publishes features on Labels, Publishers, Managers etc. looking to sign acts, songs or masters. 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