Want to distribute your works - free for your fans?

Here it is - QTrax, an application that lets fans download music for free. Rumours have it that some of the top labels have signed up for the service, though some labels have come forward and denied their association with QTrax.

QTrax says it provides

1. Free peer to peer downloads for fans
2. They insert ads between songs so fans end up downloading ads into their iPods (urgh)
3. Revenue for labels comes from the ads
4. Revenue for artists? The same old less than five per cent of the revenue for the label.

So there, labels are being forced to think of allowing peer to peer downloads for fans, for free. Good for the artists who are tied to labels, but what about independent artists? Can they distribute their music on peer to peer networks such that their fans have access to the works for free?

We at Karmafan want to encourage free availability of arts by independent artists. This is one sure way that fans will “give something back” if they like the artist’s works. We are also convinced that some artists want to give away their music, especially in the wake of Radiohead’s “In Rainbows.” The question is can we provide a service to such artists so they can distribute their works to fans for free? Would be nice to see hands up from artists who would appreciate such a service. Maybe you can help us define such a service with your suggestions and comments.