Music Social Networks: Attack of the Music Communities Recap
Since starting Crenk a couple of years ago I have written a lot about the music industry. The music industry has been a real fascination of mine and when I finally thought things were getting sorted out a lot has changed. In recent months Imeem was purchased by Myspace and then Myspace themselves really lost their way about what the site is actually about.
On Crenk we have written about the Top 5 social networking sites, World best music streaming service, but our key music article was the Attack of the Music Communities. Today I want to revisit that article and run through these leading music communities and recap their current situation (remember the previous article was written on the 8th April 2008).
- Myspace – Myspace was once the leading social networking site online, but in recent times they have really lost their way. Myspace is now a place for crazy glitter webpages done by 16 year old kids claiming they are really 18, either that or people trying to spam you with stupid messages and comments. Myspace’s biggest disadvantage is that it just has no focus! Myspace doesnt know if they are a social network, if they are a music focused site, or even an entertainment hub. Every band seemed to be on Myspace, but it has quickly become an empty space for music.
- Bebo – Bebo was once focused on being a music community, but after being sold to AOL it just seemed to lose direction all together. Bebo is now a social network that is largely in the distance behind Facebook. Music community Bebo is no longer!
- Last.fm – Last.fm was purchased by CBS and has been growing pretty constantly as a music community. However, Last.fm is more focused on music streaming and discovering new music. Last.fm doesnt allow musicians to chat with each other in a transparent environment and nor find new gigs, selling their tickets and merchandise and even sell their music.
- Purevolume – Purevolume has stayed pretty steady. Purevolume has really released anything new, they have just focused on giving bands a website and showcasing their music. I find Purevolume an interesting site with a great amount of potential, but has never really lived up to it!
- Imeem – Imeem was the darling of web 2.0 music startups. However, quickly the site turned into a weird music social network that just couldn’t pay the bills. Imeem ending up having no choice and sold to Myspace recently, losing huge amount for all investors involved.
- MOG – MOG has transformed several times and is now heavily focused on providing a music streaming service to USA only users. Previously MOG tried focusing on music news, but that seemed to only be filling the site while they got their music streaming licenses setup. MOG is no long a music social network, its just about listening to music online.
- iLike – iLike is a great music service, but focused very much on providing music streaming and discovery. iLike can fit in nicely with a music larger music service, but as a standalone service it really doesn’t grab the worlds attention.
- JamNow – Shut down.
- Haystack – Shut down.
- Sonific – Shut down.
- Sellaband – Sellaband has been a great success for helping unsigned bands fund their new albums. However, this community has not been gaining that much attention from around the world. Sellaband has a very limited appeal that will soon most probably be sold and added to another service.
- iJigg – iJigg is a music service in which users listen to music. Its that simple, nothing more, nothing less.
- Flotones – Flotones has to be the ugliest site in the list, plus they just don’t have any traction or users. I pronounce Flotones dead!
- ReverbNation – ReverbNation has grow into the leading digital marketing platform for musicians. ReverbNation tried to provide the best marketing solutions for bands while at the same time make revenues from their affiliate services. ReverbNation has a great platform, but it would be good to see them develop into something more than just providing digital music tools.
- Jango – Jango has developed into a very interesting online radio service. I think Jango has a lot of potential but the site itself isnt very pretty, plus they are playing head on with services like Pandora (which are just so much better). Jango needs to lead in the markets Pandora isn’t in or soon they will be behind and struggling for survival.
Conclusion:
There doesn’t seem to be anyone taking music social networking seriously at the moment. There are a lot sites that focus on specific areas, but seem to be to scared to launch a much larger initiative. Someone needs to launch a open platform which promote bands to build their fan base, pushes new music to users, while also adding in the other features within the music industry. If someone can work out a service that has all these features, then they could be a force to be reckoned with.
