Yesterday, Spotify announced that would be adding ‘Spotify Apps’ a free service allowing you to install add-ons to your Spotify software. This is going to be a pretty big deal for bands and musicians when it launches as it allows listeners to easily extended their listening experience to things like reading song lyrics, check for gig dates and connect to the artist through social networking websites. Although it’s not launched yet, bands and musicians ought to get ready by signing up to the likely partners that Spotify Apps will be incorporating.
If your music is already on Spotify, then you should sign up to these services who look like to be featured as Spotify Apps.
Last.fm
Last.fm is quite similar to Spotify in that it streams music, but this is done over a web-based system rather than an application. Last.fm builds up a catalogue of your listening preferences and provides recommendations based on what you listen to. First of all, you’ll have to create a personal account and from there you can sign up as a ‘Music Manager’ submitting your music or your band’s music along with artwork or other details. Last.fm automatically imports sales links from iTunes and Amazon allowing listeners who discover your music to purchase it easily. You will also receive royalties when your music is played, much like the existing system with Spotify.
Visit the Last.fm Website
Songkick
Songkick is an online service that allows fans to track their favourite bands and receive notifications when they’re in town. From major acts to unsigned bands this website allows anyone to list their gig with ticket links and other information about the artist. To get going, you have to sign up as a personal account and use that account to edit artist details and input gig data. If you’ve been gigging for a while, there’s a fair chance that your band has already been listed on Songkick by a venue somewhere along the line. If that’s the case, all you have to do is upload some photos, update the rest of your gigs and you’re away!
Visit the Songkick Website
We Are Hunted
This is an amazingly cool website for listening to new music. Just visit the website and see for yourself. Trouble is, there is no clear way of getting your music on here except as they say “if enough people are talking about you and listening to your tracks, We Are Hunted will pick it up.” Not exactly what us unsigned musicians want to hear, but if may be worth dropping them an e-mail to let them know you exist!
Visit the We Are Hunted Website
Pitchfork
Pitchfork is a music news and reviews website. As they now have a Spotify app, it’s worthing seeing if you can get your music reviewed with them and start getting news about your band listed with them.
Visit the Pitchfork Website
Spotify apps is going live in the next few days, so I recommend you get on the case and make sure your band is ready for it.
Matt Keil 