Guitarati: A Music Marketplace with Some Unique Twists (Invites)
There are several online destinations that provide music services to artists, labels, and fans. Okay, not just several. A few million now, give or take?
Nonetheless, the digital media industry pertaining to all things sonic continues to grow. There are of course marketplaces like iTunes and Rhapsody that command large customer bases. And the there are others who choose to work specifically with musicians and ensembles to get their singles and complete albums out for many potential supporters and followers to hear and enjoy. CDBaby is one example. YouLicense, a unique new spin on the only concept of music licensing for various purposes, is another.
Now comes one more. It’s called Guitarati. (The creators draw similarities in the title’s literal pronouncement to terms like “digerati”.) The concept is fairly simple. Establish a system upon which independent bands, labels, and people can gather without being forced to contend with unfair terms related to costs and licensing.
Upon sign-in, I was immediately taken with the Guitarati’s layout. It appears so basic, so sparse, that it almost entirely antithetical to anything else resembling today’s Web 2.0 music distribution services. And that, I must say, is a relief. Sure, some items here or there could use some extra glossing. But on the whole, I imagine that if I were to use the service extensively, it would be a joy to work with.
That is, if the marketplace grows into an indie nexus on the Web that provides musicians with a mass of potential fans that could offer a sustainable revenue stream for all involved: Guitarati, bands/artists, and users alike. Which, at present, I imagine is a goal for the company that will be supremely difficult to accomplish.
Not impossible. But very, very hard to do. (more…)