Unsigned band
Encyclopedia
An unsigned band is a band
that has not been signed to a record label
. Bands that release their own material on self-published CDs can also be considered unsigned bands. Often unsigned bands primarily exist to perform at concerts.
In more recent years, the internet has helped promote the music of unsigned bands. Artists often post their music as MP3
's on websites such as Kooba Radio
, MySpace
, PureVolume
, GarageBand.com
, DMusic, AllUnlabeled.com and SoundClick
.
UK Unsigned bands and musicians are able to use such services as The Unsigned Guide
and The Musicians Guide
to gather music industry contact names, phone numbers, websites and social media links, as well as information on how to get signed or market music independently.
Song pitching websites, such as AudioRokit, TAXI
and MyHitOnline allow unsigned musicians to see which record labels (and other music companies) are currently seeking new music.
Further, companies like Sentric Music
and the royalty payment service offered by Last.FM
can help in generating income streams for unsigned bands.
, Owl City
, and solo artists like Lily Allen
have gained popularity through Myspace, although the Arctic Monkeys
did not even know what MySpace was, and claimed that fans made it for them!
In 2007 unsigned bands have become more popular with Internet users and have been able to break into the main stream charts this year, Koopa the band in question entering the official download chart at position 21. Unsigned Bands are now finding many resources across the Internet to promote, market and sell their music almost free of charge. A new resource for this is the popular Unsigned Radio show ran by Angry Duck, promoting unsigned acts across two community radio stations.
Unsigned charts are now being promoted on almost all the underground music site's and this year has seen many of the domain owners spending large amounts of money on developing these charts to bring bands to them. A number of these are now additionally registered with the official charts.
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
that has not been signed to a record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
. Bands that release their own material on self-published CDs can also be considered unsigned bands. Often unsigned bands primarily exist to perform at concerts.
In more recent years, the internet has helped promote the music of unsigned bands. Artists often post their music as MP3
MP3
MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
's on websites such as Kooba Radio
Kooba Radio
Kooba Radio is an independent, non-profit, Internet-based radio station focused on alternative rock, playing unsigned bands and artists with independent record labels. Kooba is PRS registered and plays to a listenership in over 20 countries. Created 21 December 2002, Kooba Radio began its life in...
, MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
, PureVolume
PureVolume
PureVolume was the first independently run website of its type, allowing for the upload and stream of music files. It was created in 2003 by Jennifer Welch , in conjunction with the Unborn Media team; Brett Woitunski, Nate Hudson, and Mitchell Pavao; all from the University of...
, GarageBand.com
GarageBand.com
GarageBand.com was a large online community of independent musicians and music fans. Founded in 1999, the site was used by musicians who were seeking greater exposure and critical insight provided by an audience of their peers. The site was also used by music fans to discover new independent...
, DMusic, AllUnlabeled.com and SoundClick
SoundClick
SoundClick is a music-based social community. It offers bands, artists, and music labels a platform for self-promotion. Songs can be streamed, downloaded in MP3 format, sold through the store, or licensed to others. SoundClick compiles daily charts for various genres, based on how many times a...
.
UK Unsigned bands and musicians are able to use such services as The Unsigned Guide
The Unsigned Guide
The Unsigned Guide is a contact directory for the music industry. Founded in 2003, the publication lists a wide range of contact information containing a contact name, email address, website, myspace, postal address and telephone number...
and The Musicians Guide
The musicians guide
The Musicians Guide is a music company based in Oxfordshire specialising in supplying unsigned artists with tools, video courses, guides, and information resources to empower them to market their own music and build careers as independent musicians....
to gather music industry contact names, phone numbers, websites and social media links, as well as information on how to get signed or market music independently.
Song pitching websites, such as AudioRokit, TAXI
Taxi
Taxi and similar words may refer to:* Taxicab, for transportation* Taxiing, moving an aircraft on the ground under its own power- Similar words :* Taxis:...
and MyHitOnline allow unsigned musicians to see which record labels (and other music companies) are currently seeking new music.
Further, companies like Sentric Music
Sentric Music
Sentric Music is a British independent music publisher specialising in emerging song writers and artists.Incorporated in February 2006, the company is based in Liverpool, England...
and the royalty payment service offered by Last.FM
Last.fm
Last.fm is a music website, founded in the United Kingdom in 2002. It has claimed 30 million active users in March 2009. On 30 May 2007, CBS Interactive acquired Last.fm for UK£140m ....
can help in generating income streams for unsigned bands.
Internet promotion
Internet promotion has been the key for some bands for getting popular. Bands like the Arctic MonkeysArctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
, Owl City
Owl City
Owl City is an American electronica musical project by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Adam Young formed in 2007 in Owatonna, Minnesota. Young created the project while experimenting with music in his parents' basement...
, and solo artists like Lily Allen
Lily Allen
Lily Rose Beatrice Cooper , better known as Lily Allen, is an English recording artist and fashion designer. She is the daughter of actor and musician Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. In her teenage years, her musical tastes evolved from glam rock to alternative...
have gained popularity through Myspace, although the Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys
Arctic Monkeys are an English indie rock band. Formed in 2002 in High Green, a suburb of Sheffield, the band currently consists of Alex Turner , Jamie Cook , Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders...
did not even know what MySpace was, and claimed that fans made it for them!
In 2007 unsigned bands have become more popular with Internet users and have been able to break into the main stream charts this year, Koopa the band in question entering the official download chart at position 21. Unsigned Bands are now finding many resources across the Internet to promote, market and sell their music almost free of charge. A new resource for this is the popular Unsigned Radio show ran by Angry Duck, promoting unsigned acts across two community radio stations.
Unsigned charts are now being promoted on almost all the underground music site's and this year has seen many of the domain owners spending large amounts of money on developing these charts to bring bands to them. A number of these are now additionally registered with the official charts.