Independent Music distribution?

[LesStrat]

Once again: I refuse to use PayPal.

[NegativeEase]

Once again: I refuse to use PayPal.

Whats up with your Paypal issue? Just so I know for my benefit

[LesStrat]

PayPal released a new users agreement a couple of months ago that essentially gave them the right to steal $2500 from you if you said something they deemed unacceptable, through social media, etc.

They claimed it was a draft that wasn’t ready for release and withdrew it once it went viral. Many of us don’t buy their explanation. Even if it wasn’t supposed to be released yet or hadn’t been approved, it clearly had been discussed in the revision process.

[LesStrat]

I either use Bandcamp or Distro Kid. They are different, in that Distro Kid gets your releases everywhere digital music is sold. Bandcamp is exclusive, but you get to keep more of your money, and they allow non-formulaic releases there (like a 14 hour ambient project I released).

This is my official for the recommendation. Distrokid was MUCH easier to set up, and it costs about 60% of the SoundCloud price. They offer multiple payment options.

plus I didn’t have to choose the payment option before uploading. I couldn’t complete the uploads on SoundCloud because I no longer have a PP account.

Interesting aside: SoundCloud gave a full refund. Yet when I checked a couple of the sites to see if DK had uploaded our albums, I also found the SC versions.

[Mincer]

This is my official for the recommendation. Disrepair was MUCH easier to set up, and it costs about 60% of the SoundCloud price. They offer multiple payment options.

plus I didn’t have to choose the payment option before uploading. I couldn’t complete the uploads on SoundCloud because I no longer have a PP account.

Interesting aside: SoundCloud gave a full refund. Yet when I checked a couple of the sites to see if DK had uploaded our albums, I also found the SC versions.

I am happy you have a solution. I don't know how relevant old timey record companies are anymore.

[LesStrat]

I got curious (because of a question from a friend) and checked our account. We've made $1.64! We're RICH!

No, we really did make that much, but we weren't really expecting anything.

[Mincer]

I got curious (because of a question from a friend) and checked our account. We've made $1.64! We're RICH!

No, we really did make that much, but we weren't really expecting anything.

So you're ahead!

[LesStrat]

Not quite. We have not recouped the subscription cost for DK. BuT WE ARE UP TO $1.80!

Weird observation/quirk: if you search by our band name, you get all sorts of results, many that have nothing to do with the name. But if you search by band name AND album title, you can find the band’s page on the streaming site.

[Securb]

Berklee sent out this 50% off link for DistroKid any of you can use it .

https://distrokid.com/?c=berklee50&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=Berklee_Online&utm_campaign=DK_Berklee_Online&utm_content=

[El Dunco]

Just remember to also use good PR so you’re not distributing to the wind. That’s the other advantage of being on a distro label as well as not having to pay upfront for distro but you can find good PR people yourself who send your stuff out to magazines/webzines.

[Securb]

Metal Devastation has some great, affordable PR packages for those of us who play heavier styles.

https://metaldevastationradio.com/metal-devastation-promotions