Our Digital Music

>>> Amazon will finally launch its DRM-free download store in mid-September.  Expect lower prices than iTunes on older releases and mp3’s from EMI, Universal and hundreds of indie labels, but nothing from Warner Music Group (Warner, Atlantic, Sire and dozens of other labels) or Sony/BMG (Coloumbia, Sony, BMG, RCA and  more).

>>>  Sony is shutting down its Connect Music store and adopting Microsoft’s DRM platform for its new line of Walkmen.

>>> Legendary Long Island, NY indie music store Looney Tunes was destroyed in a fire, but the owners promise to rebuild

>>> EMI Chairmen Eric Nicoli is out as investment firm Terra Firma completes taking the major label group private again. Expect many more changes at one of the world’s top 4 major labels/

>>> If you make your own music and wish you could sell it from your MySpace page or blog, Speakerheart might be the answer. Hypebot has an exclusive interview with the CEO of Speakerheart whose service enables direct downloads from web sites and blogs by indie and D.I.Y. artists. They’ve got lots of competition but a unique approach.

>>> As more and more download services add DRM free music, Hypebot asks where are the millions of tracks from indie labels?  Hint: It’s not the labels’ fault.

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