Music streaming services have been around for a while now. However, music subscription services are relatively new. The labels are catching up to each other fast – OWSLA’s launched their subscription label Nest on 12.12.12, following the footsteps of Mad Decent, Turbo Recordings, Ghostly International, Dirtybird Records, Ninja Tunes and Fool’s Gold Records.
In DJ-Follower’s guide to Drip.FM, you’ll discover how to receive 3 grams of Diplo’s ashes, how the service works, who is behind it and what's the higher cause. Also learn what is the difference between Spotify and Drip.FM and get a guide to a select choice of labels.
Firstly, what’s the difference between Spotify and Drip.fm, a music streaming service and a music subscription platform? Well, it’s simple - Spotify lets you stream music without downloading it, whereas Drip.fm is a platform for connecting the music fan to his label of choice on a whole new level. As the creators, Ghostly International's founder Sam Valenti IV and the label's head of product development and digital strategy Miguel Senquiz suggest – think of it as a re-imagination of the fan club.
Guide: Check out what Skrillex, Birdy Nam Nam and others have in store for you on OWSLA Nest"Our vision is to enable labels and artists another frictionless way to keep their fans engaged and happy," says Valenti, the founder of Detroit-born record label Ghostly Internationals. When asked, why would labels want to get into a retail game already dominated by iTunes and Beatport, he explicits the higher aim: "Perspective is what labels offer in the world of music. It's more than just the music, it's the attitudes and information they share that Drip FM is built on."
What Drip.fm offers, then, is a service that provides the necessary means for a special relationship between fans and their labels. For a monthly fee, the fan gets every new release, archive releases and whole variety of other goodies, ranging from membership cards, novelty items and yes, there’s even a way for receiving 3 grams of Diplos ashes. But what’s most important, is creating a culture where fans can easily support the label and, the label in return, rewards the loyalty.
Guide: The Goldmine - a groovediggers dream cave for all Fool's Gold related treasures!"Of all the things we are doing recently at dirtybird this has been the most exciting. For superfans of our label there is no better way to connect and it makes me happy to be able to speak directly to our core community and treat them to all the music and projects we care about so much, says Claude Von Stroke, Label Boss of Dirtybird."
What do you get for the membership? For memberships that go for about 10-15$, most labels offer every EP scheduled to release in that month. You might start questioning - what if nothing is released during the month? Don't worry! The labels are looking after their loyal subscribers. With so many great artists, something is released every month. Sure, there may be times when you only get one or two EP's during a month. There may be months where you'll receive five or six EPs or even a LP. But you'll also receive archived flashbacks of the label, news before others and physical goodies like as well. And it's all top quality, so you can play the digital copy loud and proud anywhere, from your car stereo and iPod to your DJ sets.
Guide: Find out how you could receive 3 grams of Diplo's ashes and learn the secret handshake? Check out the guide to Mad Decent's Premium Club!Photo: Jay Kogami