Downtown Records, the US indie founded last year by former Virgin US A&R VP Josh Deutsch, has announced a partnership with the co-founder of weblog company Engadget, Peter Rojas, that will see the launch of a new online venture called RCRD LBL that will offer free, sponsor-funded MP3s.
Some of the tracks offered by the new site will be exclusively recorded or remixed for the service. The first free download is a never-before-heard remix of Justice's 'DANCE' mixed by Benny Blanco and featuring extra verses from Spank Rock and Mos Def. Users will also be able to download promotional and catalogue tracks from Downtown Records and affiliated labels including Modular Records and Drowned In Sound. Sponsors at launch include Puma, the Virgin America airline and Nikon.
Commenting on the new venture, Deutsch and Rojas told reporters: "We are tremendously excited to be working together on a new model for music that combines Downtown's talent for discovering and cultivating the hottest new artists with Peter's experience in creating compelling web-based communities. We are convinced RCRD LBL will be a unique and innovative place on the internet to discover, enjoy and download free, legal music from an exciting roster of diverse artists and labels. RCRD LBL is proud to introduce and promote the experience of legally discovering and sharing music in a way that aligns the interests of bands, fans and brands alike".