Living Life Loud by Shannon Mott
Change is good. Just ask the millions of unsigned artists worldwide
trying to get their music heard. Since the music industry is changing
drastically, unsigned musicians are able to make their music available to
listeners. Record labels are realizing new techniques need to be created
in order to promote music, and find new talent.
The result has been
a surge of music-based websites. These sites allow artists to create their
own websites, upload MP3s and promote music free of cost. One website
which has received much attention is iSOUND.COM.
A musician
himself, D.J. Burdick’s purpose has been clear from the beginning: create
a website that allows unsigned artists to upload MP3s so they can share
their music with the world. Burdick, the founder and creator of the
music-based website iSOUND.COM, began his career in 1999, shortly after
graduating from high school. At first, the main focus of iSOUND.COM was to
give visitors more information about their favorite bands.
“I was
looking for information about artists I liked, and I couldn’t find
anything comprehensive on the Internet,” says Burdick. “So, I decided to
create my own website.”
He then spent one year developing and
implementing iSOUND.COM. In 2000, Burdick relocated to Dallas, Texas to
attend Southern Methodist University. In Dallas, Burdick realized that it
was difficult to find gigs and get his music heard. That is when he had an
idea.
“I decided to expand iSOUND.COM. I wanted to make it a music
community where artists could share their music with the world,” says
Burdick.
While attending university, Burdick continued working on
his website. In 2004, he graduated from SMU’s Cox School of Business.
Along with a few college friends, he decided to make iSOUND.COM his
full-time career.
“Working on my own company has allowed me to work
on what I’m truly passionate about. I get to focus on what I believe in,”
says Burdick. “I wanted to make iSOUND.COM my full-time job because I had
so many ideas. Working for a large, established company may provide more
security but that wasn’t dynamic enough for me. I needed something that
would allow me to control the vision of the business and let me implement
my business ideas. It is very rewarding to see over a million people
visiting iSOUND per month who are sharing in this vision and desire to
bring great unheard music to the masses.”
The music industry is
changing drastically. MP3s are no longer just about illegal pirating and
file sharing. In fact, MP3s are becoming imperative to unsigned artists
wishing to promote their music on the Internet. There are tons of talented
artists out there. Unfortunately, they do not have the money to push into
advertising or music promotion. The solution to this problem: level the
playing field by promoting on the internet.
“The [music] industry
is going through a huge transitional phase. Everything is changing and the
[record] labels are realizing this. They are now using many of the same
avenues to promote their artists as those available to unsigned artists,”
says Burdick.
In fact, a complete industry of music-based websites
has developed, allowing musicians to promote their music over the
Internet. The way iSOUND.COM works is that artists may sign up and upload
their music for free. Staff members then listen to the songs and rate the
music. Listeners visit the site, discover new music, and earn points for
sharing that music with their friends. The most popular artists on
iSOUND.COM receive thousands of plays per month. Musicians can literally
gain thousands of new fans just by uploading their music onto popular
music websites and networking via those sites.
“There is a growing
group of signed bands getting a large share of radio and [music] video
play that started entirely by promoting on the Internet and playing small
clubs,” says Burdick. “The future of music is on the Internet. Get your
music uploaded, spend a few hours a week promoting online, and you’ll be
amazed at the results.”
About the Author
Shannon Mott is an employee of iSOUND.COM.
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