Rawrip Startup
Another day, another music website start-up. This one, called Rawrip, allows independent artists the ability to take home 100% of their download royalties. Artists can create widgets to post on Facebook and Myspace to sell their songs. On Rawrip’s side of things, they foster music discovery. Upon entering the Rawrip website, you are given the ability to type in an artist’s name. Rawrip then suggests music to you that you may like from its library of 1 million + songs. You can then purchase or stream the song.
Great idea, but as I’ve said before, it’s just too hard to know which of these start-ups will have the critical mass to make it big. Say you are a band and you really like this Rawrip concept and you spend all this time and money getting everything set up on the website. You add your widgets to Facebook and Myspace, but then people have no clue what Rawrip is. And then if they want to buy your song, they have to put in their credit card info with Rawrip.
Alternatively, Joe the internet user could go to your MySpace band page, hear your music, download it if you have allowed the capability to do so, and learn all he wants to know from your MySpace or band website. Yeah, maybe Rawrip is another strategy for your band to find a few more fans and make a few more sales, but at what cost? Time is money honey and trying to be on every new start-up is not a good strategy.
A good strategy however, is to be part of sites that match your band demographics. This is where, in my opinion, it is too early to know which start-up will be the best for the band. A better strategy is to get on the main sites at this point and get away from the computer and be out playing live shows. Let other bands spend their time and money making these new start ups into niches or failures while you are out building a fan base. Then once the field has sorted itself out a bit, join the few proper sites that fit your genre, but keep playing the live shows.
A new band that is too available loses its luster. Keep ‘em wanting more.
Stay tuned,
Erik
erikrostad.com 
I don’t know if i agree with this theory about needing a critical mass of people in order to make it. I’m also not convinced that we even have the ability to focus on a niche market.
Honestly, can you point to the epicenter of the bluegrass community? or an online hip hop scene? The web is promoting a broader and shallower interest in all things, including music. Now, more than ever, kids are interested in a diverse mix of musical styles.
The taste makers have spoken, and the flavor of the month is going to be vanilla…all the time.