Another new download platform? Yep, but this one is, to be fair, a little bit different. Karmadownload.com is a new London based download service that has, at its heart, the mission of providing a simple secure way for unsigned artists to make their music available for download. Karma will select hundreds of unsigned bands and enable them to sell their music to any budding fan base. But, crucially, should the band get record label interest they are not tied by any tricky contract that will stop them from getting a good record deal.
However Karma is not just an unsigned band website. Yesterday the Association of Independent Music announced they had done a deal with Karma meaning the service will also provide access to legit downloads from 120 UK independent laels, including Ninja Tune, Finger Lickin, Lowlife, Fierce Panda and K7 (in fact, for those that have been following these things for a very long time, Karmadownload will be a little like a cross between Peoplesound and iCrunch).
Karma will also be offering a selection of 'exclusive' downloads. To that end they have formed a partnership with the Barfly and will be providing a ten track compilation of Barfly recordings available to download each month.
Announcing the new platform, Karma's MD Jamie Estrin told CMU: "The vision for this platform is to be more than just a shop. We wanted to present a destination point where music fans can discover and buy into the latest acts within their favourite music scene, from grass roots through to signed acts. We have access to over 3,000 Independent labels and thousands of new artists across the world. In addition, we have already built a catalogue of over 500 quality unsigned artists, which will be constantly expanded and updated."
Confirming AIM's support, Alison Wenham told reporters: "We welcome this new initiative aimed at the independent sector and it's loyal fanbase. With sales of legitimate downloads burgeoning, and the sector leading the field when it comes to awards such as the Mercury Music Prize, it's a great time for Karma to launch their service."
Be Rozzo, MD of Barfly Promotions added: " We are always looking at new ways to expand the Barfly brand and our long term strategy dovetails perfectly with the aims of KarmaDownload. Our partnership with them offers our customers the opportunity to interact further with the many 100‚s of quality unsigned and signed bands playing across our venues"
And finally, Phil Ingles, Label Manager at Fierce Panda Records said: "We are delighted to present our music on KarmaDownload.com. There are many synergies between Fierce Panda and the KarmaDownload.com proposition, as we are both fully committed to presenting and breaking the best new bands from the UK gigging circuit"
You can check out the service at http://www.karmadownload.com. Press info from Jamie Stockwood at Strike3 at [email protected]