Comments on: Netlabel 101 with Blocsonic

By: Michael Gregoire

Michael Gregoire — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:02:40 +0000

No problem.

There's a significant difference. With a generic free download, you aren't spelling out exactly what your listeners can or can't do with your music. For instance, I can't include any such non-CC licensed free music on my netBloc releases because I can't pass along any license to blocSonic's listeners. Sure I could get permission from the artist to include the track, but the rights my listeners have are still fuzzy.

With a CC license you can spell out exactly HOW your listeners can share your music. Whether or not they can do so commercially or whether or not that can create derivative works (eg. remixes, including them in mixes). Then someone like us can include your works and pass along the license to our listeners. Having a CC-license spells out clearly that your listeners can not only freely download your music but also share it to others online without having to worry about some sort of future legal issues. This very fact is what makes CC-licensed music more viral than simply providing a free download without any license info.

By: Twintoe

Twintoe — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:41:52 +0000

Thanks for the reply Michael, but another question...

I understand that the CC license is a license that states that an artistic work is free for all, therefore making it potentially viral because people like free stuff. But what's the difference between using a CC license and just creating a site and advertising the free download of your music without the CC license.

Thanks again!

By: Michael Gregoire

Michael Gregoire — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:14:59 +0000

Twintoe, that questions is still without a clear answer. There are various ways that some Creative Commons artists are earning. A couple examples to look at are Josh Woodward (http://joshwoodward.com) and Brad Sucks (http://bradsucks.com). Both have unique models they've developed give away their music and also earn money.

With regard to us at blocSonic. We've got a few ideas on how we could earn artists some income, though we're holding back on implementing them until our site traffic rises enough to make such ideas realistic.

Keep this in mind… no one says all your music has to be free. There are many netaudio artists who release both, free and commercial releases. The free CC-licensed music does, however, make your music more viral and acts as a promotional tool for any music you release commercially.

Best of luck to you!

By: Twintoe

Twintoe — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:15:30 +0000

Great interview, thanks. I'm an experienced musician but kinda new to all these ideas so this may seem like a newbie question...

I still don't understand how artists or labels are supposed to progress financially by using a system like the one mentioned here. Downloads are free; no advertising on the netbloc site; no option for physical/merch sales.

Thanks!

By: Universal Indie Records

Universal Indie Records — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:55:15 +0000

Also…the albums that I have direct control of (ie: the Cartel albums) all tend to be mastered as well.

I'm really trying hard to bring a certain quality to our releases as Mike does with Bloc Sonice.

By: Universal Indie Records

Universal Indie Records — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:50:45 +0000

Thanks for checking us out. I just redesigned the site and the wordpress short codes I used in the previous design don't seem to work well with the Wp-commerce plugin. So i'm searching for something else.

There are previews for all 3 "Cartel" albums based on the Jamendo player but since Jamendo fate is unknown... I'm not going to use that for the other albums.

Any recommendations?

By: kilted_alex

kilted_alex — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:43:25 +0000

And i like what you guys are doing at Universal Indie – just downloaded “Tasty beats 2″ – its got a great sound to it. The only thing i'd love on your site is some sort of preview of 1-2 tracks from a release. I downloaded it because i'm curious like that, but I'm thinking the average, already-overloaded, music fan won't waste the time if its something new they stumble upon – a preview would help tons guys.

Otherwise keep up the tasty releases! You are duly bookmarked on my RSS now

By: Universal Indie Records

Universal Indie Records — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:51:45 +0000

Great interview. I love what Bloc Sonic is doing.

By: Michael Gregoire

Michael Gregoire — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:02:50 +0000

Alex… Pueblo Nuevo is a Quartz Awards winner. A fantastic netlabel that I haven't yet featured on a netBloc release, but have been wanting to rectify that for quite a while.

By: Catching The Waves

Catching The Waves — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:44:23 +0000

Yes, Mike is thoroughly familiar with all the pesky technical stuff that integrates files with media players (which I am definitely not), but, more to the point, his efforts take away the need for the listener to make an effort. Download a blocSonic release and a correctly tagged and beautifully presented electronic artefact will drop in your lap. Such professionalism and dedication sends a subliminal message that free CC music is worth a listen – as is Pueblo Nuevo. Hola, amigos! (South America has a rich netlabel culture.)

Mike is absolutely correct when he says it's important for netlabel administrators to be computer literate. I'm so jealous.

@catchingthewave