A relative newcomer to the online label game, Riffage is similar to IUMA and others in that they will host your band s Web page and allow you to sell CDs and merchandise. They differ in that they allow you to sell individual song downloads, and they promise free, aggressive promotion of their artists, including promotion of live performances. The site includes opportunities to connect with other musicians through chats, discussions, and a Gig Sharing Network. You ll also find a listing of record labels, a music business FAQ, and a healthy archive of The Musician Tip Sheet, a free monthly zine. Possibly the only Internet job site focused on the music industry.
Positions range from session musicians to record company executives.
You ll learn about copyright law, publishing, running a band as a business, and what to look for in a record contract. To get into the real nitty gritty, you ll have to pay for consultation, but there is still a lot to learn here for the legalese-impaired troubadour. Although this site is a solicitation for chiropractic services, there is quite a bit of information about why musicians are particularly susceptible to certain repetitive stress injuries and how to avoid them. Worth a look for active performers. A giant compendium of feedback from real-world users on the state of synths, samplers, and computer music software and hardware.