Folk CD distribution in the UK

Subject: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 21 Jul 04 - 08:08 AM

Anyone got any bright ideas about getting wider UK distribution of own-label CDs. These are studio recordings, good pressing NOT CD-R, and with high quality outer with artwork, barcoded and shrink-wrapped?

Currently selling through the band website!

Any pointers gratefully received.

Cheers
Sarah

Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: DMcG
Date: 21 Jul 04 - 08:21 AM

I don't know how they work with own-label CDs, but Talking Elephant (8 Martin Dene, Bexleyheath, Kent DA6 8NA, U.K.; [phone]; ) carry a large range of folk CDs, so they might be worth contacting.

Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: treewind
Date: 21 Jul 04 - 12:53 PM

Phone John Heydon at Dragon Records 01296 485995. They have big stalls at major folk festivals - it's worth getting a few CD's into their shop.

You could also try asking Doug Bailey at Wild Goose. Phone [phone]. He has many other specialist outlets that he used before he got a deal with Proper Distribution (which has access to high street shops).

Another approach is to swap CDs with other artists. Pete Coe does this a lot, so do Mary Humphreys and I, Tom and Barbara Brown, Keith Kendrick and others. It does work - we've sold other people's CDs at gigs along with our own.

You will probbaly shift the majority direct at gigs, though.

I have a list of places Doug Bailey sent our CD to - radio stations, magazines etc - if you haven't done that already you might get a bit of airplay on a local radio folk programme or some magazine reviews which could result in some sales.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 07 Aug 04 - 07:10 PM

The Living Tradition do a lively CD trade through the Internet!

Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: PennyBlack
Date: 07 Aug 04 - 09:54 PM

Approach local music shops who will often sell CDs for you(even HMV will in some areas support local artist)

Ebay etc. advertise in folk magazines, but as said most sales will come from gigs.

PB

Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: GUEST,jennifer
Date: 08 Aug 04 - 01:46 AM

Not just music shops - I bought a nice CD of a local Northumberland band when we went in the visitor centre at Kielder water. They were playing it as background music and had several others on a rack by the till. Our local bookshop does the same thing but they have a jazz leaning! Craft shops, galleries...

Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 08 Aug 04 - 09:22 AM

Try MusikFolk, a Cornwall-based outfit run by Ian & Stephanie Rennie, who have an excellent online service as well as conventional mail order. Don't know if they do stalls, but ask them. Check out their catalogue & website at www.musikfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: Tig
Date: 08 Aug 04 - 09:43 AM

And don't forget to ask at your local - or any other pubs which you may return to.

Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: Maryrrf
Date: 08 Aug 04 - 11:44 AM

Try http://www.tradmusic.com

Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: treewind
Date: 08 Aug 04 - 12:35 PM

I should have mentioned the other big festival and mail order folk specialist - Rocking Chair

Anahata

Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Aug 04 - 12:54 PM

The only places I ever seem to buy folk records is from the record stalls at festivals, or from the performer's stall or suitcase at a live gig. I get the impression that a lot of people do it that way.

It'd never occur to me that a mainstream record store like Virgin might have anything worth listening to in the way of folk music. Apart from the occasional film track CD such as Oh Brother.

Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: John Robinson (aka Cittern)
Date: 09 Aug 04 - 12:34 PM

Hi Sarah. I've not had chance to do any serious chasing of distribution for our first release as yet, but I'd add Proper and fishrecords to the names mentioned above.

musoswire.net might also be worth a look.

Hope this helps.

All the best
John Robinson
http://www.JulieEllison.co.uk

Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: treewind
Date: 10 Aug 04 - 05:49 AM

I think Proper are out of reach of the independent recording artist with one or two own-label CDs, or I'd have mentioned them before. But I suppose it can't do any harm trying - they do get stuff into the high street shops!

Anahata

Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: John Robinson (aka Cittern)
Date: 10 Aug 04 - 03:05 PM

Incidentally, I should also mention that anyone interested in setting up a webshop on their own website and not wanting to get involved in the credit card processing and/or fulfillment of orders, should take a look at fivetrees.com.   Excellent service!

See Julie's webshop for an example.

All the best
John Robinson
http://www.JulieEllison.co.uk

Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: treewind
Date: 10 Aug 04 - 04:06 PM

That's an interesting one. If anyone's not looked, fivetrees.com is a complete mail order service that holds stock and wraps and sends the goods for you.

If you want a minimum cost UK online payment service and don't mind doing the actual packing and posting yourself, I can recommend NOCHEX. You have to apply for a "seller account" but I didn't have any trouble doing that just to sell folk CDs. All types of plastic accepted but only on UK banks. Much cheaper than Worldpay and PayPal, and you get your money reliably and immediately, unlike some other services.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: GUEST,steve at fivetrees
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 07:02 AM

John Robinson said:
>> Incidentally, I should also mention that anyone interested in setting up a webshop on their own website and not wanting to get involved in the credit card processing and/or fulfillment of orders, should take a look at fivetrees.com.   Excellent service! <<

Thanks for the plug, John.

More details of the services we offer at:
http://www.fivetrees.com/services.html

Steve