Folk CD distribution in the UK

21 Jul 04 - 08:08 AM (#1230583)
Subject: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: GUEST,Sarah

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

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21 Jul 04 - 12:53 PM (#1230758)
Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: treewind

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

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07 Aug 04 - 07:10 PM (#1242082)
Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: Susanne (skw)

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

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07 Aug 04 - 09:54 PM (#1242160)
Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: PennyBlack

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

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08 Aug 04 - 01:46 AM (#1242276)
Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: GUEST,jennifer

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...

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08 Aug 04 - 09:22 AM (#1242482)
Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: Bonnie Shaljean

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

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08 Aug 04 - 09:43 AM (#1242490)
Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: Tig

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

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08 Aug 04 - 11:44 AM (#1242544)
Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: Maryrrf

Try http://www.tradmusic.com

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08 Aug 04 - 12:35 PM (#1242576)
Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: treewind

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

Anahata

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08 Aug 04 - 12:54 PM (#1242588)
Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: McGrath of Harlow

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.

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09 Aug 04 - 12:34 PM (#1243293)
Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: John Robinson (aka Cittern)

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

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10 Aug 04 - 05:49 AM (#1243891)
Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: treewind

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

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10 Aug 04 - 03:05 PM (#1244350)
Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: John Robinson (aka Cittern)

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

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10 Aug 04 - 04:06 PM (#1244415)
Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: treewind

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

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18 Dec 04 - 07:02 AM (#1360310)
Subject: RE: Folk CD distribution in the UK
From: GUEST,steve at fivetrees

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

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