This, the label hopes, will become another form of digital distribution, and a financially viable alternative to traditional online stores. The deal was signed with Snocap.
Although the number of artists involved is relatively few, the financial clout of EMI means that you can bet on a good few more flocking to the banner before long. EMI’s Blue Note record will also collaborate in this project by featuring SNOCAP MyStores in its front page
“Artists whose tracks will be available via SNOCAP MyStores at launch include 30 Seconds to Mars, The Almost, Ryland Angel, The Bird and The Bee, KORN, Joe Lovano, Dean Martin, MIMs, Relient K, Saosin, TobyMac and Yellowcard,” says EMI.
The Snocap widgets allow users to play EMI artists’ tracks on their websites. EMI sensibly want to break into the booming social bookmarking scene and hope that with Snocap’s help they can get the blog owners on-board.
Like a modern-day Janus, though, EMI has two faces: the one that isn’t smiling favorably on the DRM-free music for the community is planning on stabbing it in the back. While EMI’s public side is taking what appears to be a step towards embracing of DRM-free music sharing, it’s other face is joining forces with Warner Music, Vivendi Universal and Sony BMG to barrage customers with a potential lawsuits.When mobile downloads come around, the rules are going to b different.