Google announces Google Music artist hub for independent musicians

Jordan Kahn

Alongside the announcement of their new Google Music store, Google has announced the “artist hub” allowing users to upload and sell their original content- full albums or individual songs-  as well as build and customize their artist page for display in the store. An artist can even make changes to their uploaded content at any time, including adding or editing tracks, editing an artist bio page, or including “new demos, live recordings and unreleased tracks”.

The service essentially works the same way developers sell their apps through the Android Market. Goog says artists will keep 70% of revenues and also get to set the sale price of their music. There will also be a one time fee of $25, but no other fees associated with the service.

Once users purchase an artist’s uploaded music, the artist will be able to manage their revenues and track profits through a “Payments” tab within the artist hub. One of the first notable artists using the service is DJ Tiesto, who will be debuting his new single today. Visit music.google.com/artists/ to learn more.

Read more

Google updates Music app with new features

Jake Smith

  1. Google Music is now out of beta and is open to all users without an invitation. Upload up to 20,000 songs from your personal music collection to Google Music and listen instantly on all your devices.
  2. Seamless integration with the Android Market music store. All your purchases automatically appear in the Google Music app.

Hands on coming soon..

Google announces Google Music, features heavy Android Market and Google Plus integration

Jake Smith

Google has just announced the upgraded Google Music at an event in LA this afternoon. The new service will continue to be available to everybody today, for no charge. Google says the completely free service will have heavy cloud integration using the Music Manager application that was available in the beta, to upload music to the cloud. Users are able to upload up to 20,000 songs for free and can be available offline on Android devices.

The big feature here will be Music’s huge integration into Android Market. Thousands of songs will be available to purchase. The Music homepage in the Android Market features new releases, staff picks, and section that will recommend new music to users. Every song has a 90 second preview and will be downloaded as a high quality 320k MP3 available on your Android devices and in the web locker.

Music can also be shared with friends over Google Plus, and. your friends will receive a full free play of the song (or album) once you share it.

On the music section of Android’s website, users will be able to find recommendations and free music. There will also be featured content like interviews.

The new Music will be available on Android handsets and tablets over the coming days, but is available online now. Google has locked in Sony, EMI, and Universal for music licensing, but also has close to 1,000 smaller labels. 13 million tracks will be available over time, but 8 million are available today.

Artists Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Busta Rhymes, Shakira, Pearl Jam, and Dave Matthews Band will offer exclusive music on Google Music. The music is never before heard. Bust Rhymes will also be premiering his new album.

Artist hub is..

Read more