Tunecore.com: An Independent Musician's Guide to Album Selling

After Eric Hutchison reached Top Ten on iTunes just last week, independent music has been much talked about. Believed by many to be the eventual death of major labels, getting your music out commercially isn't as hard as it sounds, and doesn't require a contract with any label major or independent. All it takes is one site, Tunecore.com and the ability to use the internet.

Founded in 2005 by CEO Jeff Price, founder of spinART Records in New York, Tunecore.com's goal is to help independent music be heard and available for purchase. The idea is to distribute virtually and physically without entering life-binding contracts with major labels. Tunecore also allows each artist to keep all rights to their music that they created.

For a small fee yearly, artists can upload "rips" (320kbps or higher) to the site and from there, for only a dollar a store (iTunes, iTunes UK, Rhapsody, etc.) the album will be delivered to the digital stores selected. From there, music can be purchased by fans and downloaded just as any other hit artist. This method allows all artists to profit for the same fixed rate as major label artists, without royalty splits with record labels.

Tunecore also provides independent artists who have delivered their albums to digital retailers the option of manufacturing their record in different CD packaging. The records can be pressed as sleeves to full jewelcase units for a different fee for each package. Independent artists can hold their record in their hands with full high quality album artwork, while keeping production affordable.

Partnered with JakPrints, artists are able to print merchadise to take on the road or list in an online store. Merchandise includes t-shirts, buttons, posters, stickers, and hoodies. Also partnered with IndieMerchandiser, Tunecore artists can create and manage an online store while receiving complete details of activity. All inventory and accounting is up-to-date.