Begin the Beguine on my iPod

March 3, 2009 11:46 AM

What is the best way to get music onto the iTunes store for sale? Not something of my own, but popular music from the 30s and 40s which the institution I work for has the rights to.

I've been asked to see if I can get some of Fred Waring's recordings onto the iTunes store for sale but I'm not quite sure how to get content onto iTunes. Some of the advice I've gotten suggests the only way to do it is to find the appropriate aggregator and have them work out the deal. Is that the only way? If so, who might be appropriate for the music of Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians?

posted by Toekneesan to computers & internet (4 comments total)

Well there's this.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 11:52 AM on March 3

www.tunecore.com. Very simple and easy, as long as you own the rights to the music.
posted by tundro at 12:27 PM on March 3

Though this page is for getting music sold by eMusic, it looks like it should apply to iTunes and other online stores. Here's a snippet from the linked page:

If you are a label or unsigned artist, the best way for you to sell your recordings on eMusic is to work with an aggregator. Aggregators are one-stop-shops for digital distribution. They can digitize and deliver your catalogue to all digital stores worldwide, including eMusic. All of the revenue derived from your labels' sales to digital music services is accounted, combined and reported back to you in one statement.

It goes on, and lists 12 companies that you could work with. Good luck!
posted by filthy light thief at 1:16 PM on March 3

Well, so far Apple still hasn't responded to the application, but I'm sure they're very busy. I've also queried Amazon about adding the content to their site and have yet to receive a reply. Though the query to Amazon occurred only about a week ago. If I do get this music on either site, I'll try to remember and update this post with how that happened. Thanks.
posted by Toekneesan at 4:07 PM on April 2