Universal Music Group, TuneCore and You by Jeff Price

Jeff Price is the Founder and CEO of TuneCore

Today, TuneCore announced a new partnership with Universal distribution and its record labels Interscope, Universal Republic, Island/DefJam, Motown, Geffen and more

So let me answer the big question right out the gate - no, we are not now owned by Universal.  This was a deal I did solely to provide artists more choices and options, the details of which you can read below.

In a nutshell, in addition to regular old TuneCore.com, we will also be hosting and serving websites for Universal labels that provide artists distribution while taking none of the artists rights or revenues.  At these label portal sites, you not only get distribution but also extra things from each label.  We do not yet know what the "extra things" are as each label will be creating their own.  These extra things could be musician services, marketing, promotion, information, opportunities etc.

The costs at these site will be the exact same as the costs at TuneCore.com and TuneCore will provide all the Artist Support as it does now.

However, this we do know now, if you choose to get your distribution via one of the label portal sites (as opposed to TuneCore.com), not only do you get the extra things, but you will have a direct line into that label.  This means the label will probably be aware of you, have heard your music, be up to speed on the success you are having, etc.  The label can reach out to you to offer more marketing, promotion, physical distribution and anything else.  If they do, you can choose to talk with them, tell them no, tell them yes, tell them you will get back to them or simply decide to continue to do what you had been doing to that point in time,

There are no extra strings.

The reason we did this deal is provide you more choices and options to pursue your passion and goals.

Some of you may want the direct in and a pre-existing relationship with a label, others will not.  Some of you may not yet know what is best but would prefer not to say no to an option you don't have.  This relationship with Universal was created to allow you to choose what you want.

In addition, Guitar Center (who get a lot of credit for helping us develop and grow TuneCore over the past three years) has allowed us to place TuneCore Artists CDs into Guitar Center stores sitting right next to CDs from Universal artists like Guns n Roses, Lynyrd Skynyrd, etc.

The details on this are also being sort through right now.  I'll make sure to blog and email them out as soon as we lock it down.

As I stated many times before, its our goal to provide you with as much information and as many opportunities as possible.  And I have to say, this relationship excites the hell out of me!!

Expect the first label portal sites to go live in October.  More to come as we figure it out..... the full press release can be found here: http://www.shorefire.com/index.php?a=pressrelease&o=3131

In the mean time, keep changing the world!

Comments

[Jonathan Marroni de Oliveira]

What is the site for Interscope Records Distribution? I want in with them, but I only found a site for Island Def Jam? I am very strict about who I would take, and I am starting to make sure I don't make a huge mistake of releasing something that's not good for my market.

[Donnie C.]

First, I'm willing to go on a little faith here, so Jeff I hope TuneCore doesn't let the existing customers and indie artists get shoved aside.

A lot of us have been around long enough to see more than one Mp3.Bomb scenario, so forgive us if we're a bit skeptical.

The press release is rather vague about what opportunities will be there for TuneCore customers, but it does clearly state what Universal is getting out of it - I would like to see the benefits (hopefully this is more than services that we can buy...) to us clearly spelled out.

As a guitarist, I know it would be cool to have my instrumental albums in Guitar Center stores, hopefully this isn't only reserved for Universal artists.

This is a smart move for Universal, and I hope this turns out to be a positive thing for ALL involved! Looking forward to seeing more info.

[Tony Bernhoffer]

I just began the folk guitar again last august. and I am so pleased to see my strumming and singing Mp3 for sale on Amazon.com along with my little ebooks!! I did not realize I played that good as many people have run down my musical talents over the years. But my mom and aunt Vi did not seem to mind my playing, Thank you Tune Core.

[JonnieXXX]

It's great that an artist can still deliver his/hers music through TuneCore like before. Many inpedendent artists are also still looking for the record deal, and this makes changes better. But I must say that this is very wise and good deal for the Universal to look for the right artists for them.
I very happy for the support that we have got for R&S pop-rock band from Jeff and TuneCore and I hope this makes it even better (Specially now when I am starting to make my not so retro solo-music).
All the best for TuneCore and all the artists that are with us
peace
JonnieXXX
(R&S pop-rock band)

[Youlanda Burnett]

Thank for every opportunity. Sounds good to me --Bring it on

[derek simmons]

this is great, i feel like its a major distribution move....thanks for these opportunities tunecore..you rock !!!!

[John Rhyman]

I guess if I were in "Universal's" shoes, and seing what tunecore has done up to now... I would want a piece of cake too. A few years back... Mp3.com was rolling for indie artists.... we were actually making $ until they got too ambitious and wanted known artists...

This is a great way for universal to go straight to the point and filter out what's good and bad...

[Tom Lapp]

Although I would prefer to stay loyal to Tune Core ( the entity that help me get the ball rolling ) I believe that my Rock Opera, "Death Of The illuminati" deserves as much attention and promotion as possible, from every source possible. Ergo, I'm all for any and all record labels or companies that can and will promote me and my Rock Opera. Thank you to Tune Core for this unique opportunity.

[Dean Angermeier]

This really opens up a whole new business channel for Tunecore, and for those non-musicians who want to run a record label or entertainment group. I assume of course that any label or entertainment group who wants to use Tunecore as UMGD is planning to will be able to do so. If this is not the case, please explain.

[Marcus]

I'm really looking forward to these new options. I do not know why people are showing negativity towards this huge move. It's absolutely phenomenal and I think it's great to have plenty of options at your fingertips. I guess people are just afraid of change - but this isn't a change that will affect the core of Tunecore. It's purely a huge addition to an already great system and think many people should consider these new options. I can't wait to see what the extras will be from the record labels.

[steve]

Some of you guys seem to be focusing on the potential negatives, Jeff has stated, that this gives tunecore artistes even more options.. you can take it, if thats going to help you achieve your goals or you can stay put if you're happy with the current deal you have with tunecore!

I honestly don't see what all the negativity is about, let's wait and see how the details pan out and make decisions from there!

peace

[Nicholas Chase]

Terrific TuneCore - it's a good thing the labels are seeing the wealth of potential at the artist level, and it's exciting to see TuneCore forging a new model for the business of music - hooray!

[Alvin Pingol]

Thanks for the response, TuneCore crew. This looks like an exciting opportunity, and the fact that you're willing to announce details this early on (and elaborate/debunk our misconceptions) lets me know you are indeed concerned about artist rights.

As has been said, the underlying structure of the labels industry is horribly outdated. This, to me, looks like one of many steps the labels will be taking in order to accommodate the times, i.e. working more directly with independent artists. So thanks for the opportunity. :-)

[Fernando Gelbard]

As long as I can keep distributing peacefuly through Tunecore, which I trust, I feel ok for now.

[TuneCore]

Its really cool to see so much discussion around this.

GUITARMAN

YOU SAY:
1.)Since they produce the finished product in this scenario,Universal can claim part ownership to the actual master, as such any subsequent royalties,distribution rights,etc.

ANSWER
Absolutely not, The only way someone can claim rights to your music is if you sign a legal document or granting it to them. If what you say was true, anyone that mixed or mastered your music would own it. The mastering service is a simple fee for service arrangement. You are paying a fee for someone to master your music.

The "extras" from the labels have not yet been announced by the labels. I am as interested as you to learn what they will be!

YOU SAY:
.2.) Since Universal is affilaited of course with BMI and ASCAP , the whole issue of airplay and artists choice of independant broadcasters comes into question then. Since we all know that internet radio shows cannot afford to pay everytime they air an artists music,this could have a huge effect on indie artists choice/rights.

ANSWER
BMI and ASCAP collect money from businesses that use music (like a retail store) and pay it to songwriters, composers and music publishers. And again, its your music, if you dont want to get paid by BMI/ASCAP for public performances, you dont have to be. No record label can make this decision for you.

YOU SAY:
3.) Although major labels certainly have the ability to market an artist easier,one has to weigh the downside as well,all the legalities involved.

ANSWER
I ABSOLUTELY AGREE!!!!! This relationship is about creating opportunities and choices for you. It's then up to you to decide It's your choice! And the best decisions are made with knowledge!

CRAIG:
YOU SAY
Does this mean you will be giving Universal access to the sales figures of independent/unsigned artists to see how successful/unsuccessful they are and help make safer bets for Universal?

ANSWER
Yes, if you choose to get via a label portal site Universal will then have information about your band. You can choose to go via the portal site as you want them to have this info or you can choose NOT to go via the label portal site. It's your choice

Keep in mind, Soundscan is used by all the majors to track sales and information. Big Champagne is another company that does the same thing.

I just figured it would be better to provide you the direct line to the label in the event this was your goal. If not, then do not use the portal site and do not use retail stores that report the information to Soundscan etc.

Rock On!