The internet has become one of the most popular places to find and download great original music from new and established artists. This is great news for anyone who is looking for an affordable way to promote their tracks or themselves! Of course we all know about the big sites like:
http://www.myspace.com
http://www.youtube.com
but there are a lot more flavours out there to cater for all tastes. Needless to say it can be a minefield as many of these sites include terms of service that require members to relinquish some or all of the rights to their works. Whilst there are a myriad of social networking sites, these are not always aimed solely at musicians and may not actively promote their site, let alone your music to which you have just signed away your rights!
This said, these sites can be a great way to get your music heard by friends, fans, bookers, promoters and record labels so if that is your aim, then you are on the right track. A few sites have all their music downloads included in the music sales charts, just like any other song release by major acts and bands!
Before uploading your audio MP3 or music video, read their terms of service carefully. Try and avoid any site that requires exclusivity. Some sites are free, but may charge a percentage on the sale of every one of your tracks downloaded. Others may offer a limited free file hosting service with larger packages at various rates.
This list is just a small example which will be expanded as time permits, so feel free to pipe in on the comments with your favourite music or video upload / file hosting / musicians social networking sites!
MP3 MUSIC, VIDEO UPLOAD SITES : FILE HOSTING
http://www.vocalistonline.com
A new site (still in beta) that lets your voice be heard online with free mp3, video hosting for artists, bands, composers, lyricists, musicians, producers, rappers, singers and songwriters. Unlike many other sites, this one lets the artist retain the rights to their works and find others to collaborate with as well as build your fanbase!
http://www.tradebit.com
Unlimited storage for documents, movies, music, graphics, software, sounds, no monthly costs, takes 25% percent of each sale you make.
http://www.mymusicstream.com
Music upload and music promotion services
http://www.ilike.com
Discover new music with friends. Over 30 million people use iLike to share music tastes and playlists, and to learn about new artists and concerts together
Here are a couple more music upload / music social networking sites for musicians.
http://music.metafilter.com/
MetaFilter Music is a site for members to upload their own songs for others to enjoy and share. Logged-in members can enjoy downloads, playlists, favorites, and podcasts of tags, playlists, and specific users.
http://www.imeem.com/
another musicians social networking site that is also releasing it’s API code to developers to show their members music on their own sites.
One of the earliest social media format sites for musicians is http://www.soundclick.com
offers the following (taken from their site)
Free services for bands
· free artist page
· free MP3 store: sell your songs as digital downloads
· unlimited song uploads
· band approval: within 24 hours
· after approval: instant approval of songs
· private band message board
· gig calendar
· music charts
· lots more
More free services
· free member page for all music lovers
· playlists, blog, photos, videos
· connect directly with bands and like-minded people
· lots more
Optional fee-based services for bands
· VIP accounts ($9.95/month) with Flash page, ad-free, background radio, 320 kbps mp3 option, 40MB/song uploads, deep-linking,…..
· Promotion tools ($4.95/month) with frontpage rotation as ‘featured band’, chart highlight.
This video upload / networking site seems popular with film makers but also has a section for musicians / music which includes some how to play an instrument videos
http://revver.com/revver/