CD distributors for indies?

Subject: CD distributors for indies?
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Jun 07 - 08:16 PM

Do any of you use a distributor for your CDs? Do you know of any for independent artists, not necessarily folk, which are reputable?

Thanks!

Subject: RE: CD distributors for indies?
From: retrancer
Date: 05 Jun 07 - 08:23 PM

use cdbaby.com

Subject: RE: CD distributors for indies?
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Jun 07 - 11:21 PM

Yeah, we plan to, thanks. I was actually wanting to know about distributors who get them into stores. I don't think cdbaby does that, do they?

Subject: RE: CD distributors for indies?
From: open mike
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 12:45 AM

this method circumvents stores, but there is a list of folk music d.j.'s
(although you said what you are talking about is not necessarily folk)
and many artists send their products directly to the members of this
list...and by doing so many people hear them and know about them and
often seek out for purchase.

good luck in your endeavors.

whatever they may be....are you gonna let us in on the story?>?

Subject: RE: CD distributors for indies?
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 12:51 AM

Thanks, Laurel. Just trying to help my brother, once again, with getting his classical music out (new CDs, CDBaby, etc.) You can sample some of it at youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA0ojJ5v9Kk

Thanks, again!

Subject: RE: CD distributors for indies?
From: GUEST,Texas Guest
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 01:06 AM

Yes, I concur with jstarwolf - CDBaby. My experiences with them, and maybe more important - my customers experience with them has been virtually flawless. Cheers.

Subject: RE: CD distributors for indies?
From: C. Ham
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 09:01 AM

CDBaby is not a "distributor," it is an on-line merchant.

Some of the American independent distributors are Navarre, Burnside, Koch, etc.

Some in Canada, which I'm more familiar with, include Festival, Outside, Fusion III, Koch Canada, etc.

Subject: RE: CD distributors for indies?
From: RTim
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 10:20 AM

In my experience you don't make very much per Cd using Festival Distribution in Canada.
I would not use them again, I think I may have even sold my CD at a loss using them.
Tim Radford
www.timradford.com

Subject: RE: CD distributors for indies?
From: GLoux
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 10:28 AM

Check out Sidestreet. They're part of Elderly Instruments in Michigan.

-Greg

Subject: RE: CD distributors for indies?
From: GUEST,Arnie
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 10:52 AM

Distribution for folk indie cds is pretty grim now as retail outlets are becoming extinct. Beware of all consignment deals - many do not pay, but I must say Sidestreet is reputable. Festival distribution will want many promo cds and for the most part all the cds you sell them are on consignment. You may need to bug them for payment. Frankly, it appears to me they don't sell a lot of product- but who does anymore? CD Baby can get you on online downloads, but there are royalty issues for material that is copyrighted- so watch out.

Subject: RE: CD distributors for indies?
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 11:20 AM

Thanks, very much, folks. Anyone have experience with classical music and distribution?

Subject: RE: CD distributors for indies?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 12:34 PM

http://www.timradford.com

Subject: RE: CD distributors for indies?
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 12:48 PM

I recently heard about taxi.com but I think it's a pay per song thing to have them submit the piece to particular places looking for something that it might be appropriate for. Check it out anyway. Discmakers (where I'm getting my new cd duplicated) has several freebies (which I didn't get because I'm doing a "short run") with partners of theirs. Some look very good. Check them out too at discmakers.com.

Subject: RE: CD distributors for indies?
From: JedMarum
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 01:00 PM

I would approach stores individually. Research the likely vendors and contact them with promo materials. If the full length CDs retail at $15, you'll get between $7 and $10 each for them.

I agree that consignment is not a good idea generally. I do that with one location because it's near my house and because they'll sell a small steady stream each year. I check in once or twice per year and we settle. Otherwise it's pain-in-the-as* - I just a check from a place in Corpus Christi. I'd forgotten I even gave them CDs on consignment! They'd sold 10 or so and were kind enough to look me up and send me a check! They could have kept it and I'd never have remembered. I know I've left a few other stores with product.

Subject: RE: CD distributors for indies?
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 01:28 PM

If you use CDBaby, and wish to have other retail distribution as well, you must arrange for a wholesale discount to be provided by CDBaby. I believe, though I'm not sure, that this discount comes out of your cut.

Subject: RE: CD distributors for indies?
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 01:52 PM

Thanks, Barbara. I will check both of those.

Jed, we've been that route, no thanks.:-) My brother is not a business person and not great at follow-up and it takes more than I am willing to put in. Thanks, though. Our experience was similar back when.

Guest, thanks, will watch for that.

Subject: RE: CD distributors for indies?
From: JedMarum
Date: 06 Jun 07 - 02:25 PM

It's true, CDbaby offers a "wholesale" arrangement to resellers. I've not found it very useful, but it might work better for others.