A word about GarageBand.com

[deppeler]

Just when I thought I could get this thing going...

I wrote to garageband.com about becoming a partner (podcast):

"I was thinking about becoming a partner (podcast).
What are CARP fees and what else do I need to play these songs on a Podcast?
I don't want to get in trouble with ASCAP or RIAA."



here is their answer:

"Hi there,
Thanks for taking the time to write in. Currently, you can only download
the top 20 songs in whatever genres we provide on the radio partner page.
Part of our broader suite of podcasting services will be to provide better
support as well as more legal clarity on these matters soon.

Hope this helps!

Janey Ecker
Operations Manager
GarageBand Records
www.GarageBand.com"

As I want just local artists (the partner page does not filter that, plus I thought we had access to ALL the content) I am going to get around this by using garageband.com to search for local artists and then contact them directly to get permission.

Gee this is hard!

auspod

[Craig]

I thought we had access to all the content too.

Craig

[deppeler]

I wouldn't even mind paying them (garageband) a fee each year to have "open range" on all artists.
Has their policy changed of late??

[jawbone]

??

WTF? I thought you could play whatever you wanted. Seems kind of limiting, I don't think this was their policy just a few months ago.

[deppeler]

I wonder what she meant by "soon"

As I said I was under the impression that as a podcaster we could play whatever they had.

What do other people do?
maybe she got it wrong.....maybe others should inquire too?

iROK Radio "Rocking the Plains!"
http://irokradio.com

[jawbone]

I do a search on Garageband that is similar to a topic I'm talking about on the show. Then I grab the best sounding song to play. It helps to break up the show and keep the show cohesive.

I'm going to continue doing that. Seems kind of pointless to be a partner if you can only play 1 of 20 songs. Talk about stifling creativity. And I'm sure most of those bands would be happy to be played on people's show. Means more exposure for them.

This is directly from their partner page:

Garageband represents the largest community of independent musicians with access to a catalog of millions of songs in several dozen genres. When you join as a member radio station, you get:

CARP-free broadcast rights to our entire catalog

a ranked recommendation playlist fit to your radio station's style

a leg up on any upcoming "promotion contests"

the satisfaction of knowing you know about the new music before anybody else knows you knew about it.

[deppeler]

"..CARP-free broadcast rights to our entire catalog..."

It does say ENTIRE catalog...

What are CARP fees?


It does say RECOMMENDATION
"..a ranked recommendation playlist fit to your radio station's style.."

As I said maybe she got it wrong.

I have contacted several artists to request permission (some have even sent me free stuff!..neat, I like this business!)

[jawbone]

I think this PDF explains what they are:

http://www.copyright.gov/carp/webcasting_rates_a.pdf

They must be going through some legal wrangling. Is the RIAA trying to regulate non-signed music too?

[deppeler]

They can only control what people let them control..

[shepdave]

I, too, have been operating based on the agreement I "signed" (clicked an approval button for) when I became a media partner.

The conditions under which I entered into that arrangement asked me to either do five reviews a month or else add five GarageBand songs per month to my playlist. It said nothing about being restricted to the current top 20 songs.

They have my email address and know where to find me. If the conditions of my participation have changed, I believe it is incumbent on them to inform me of that change.

So far I have either gotten specific permission or else used songs from the top 20 list in the categories I chose as my three. However, the statement on the partner page is pretty clear, as deppeler pointed out: "..CARP-free broadcast rights to our entire catalog..." Nothing in that statement restricts it to the top 20. I don't feel restricted to the top 20 in my categories.

Dave

[cc_chapman]

Well that sucks about the agreement.

I never signed the agreement. I just find bands I like and drop them a note about playing on the show. Most artists jump at the chance.

MySpace.com is another great place to find music acts.