Online music retailer eMusic yesterday announced they’d added 40 new independent labels to their growing selection of downloadable songs. They also said they’d passed over 150,000 subscribers and sold more than 9 million downloads in the last two months, reportedly making them second only to Apple’s iTunes.
eMusic’s new labels, the company said, cover nearly every genre of music, including rock, dance, blues, country, hip-hop, jazz, classical and more. Notable additions include the UK’s legendary Cherry Red, which boasts the punk band Dead Kennedys, and post-punk groups Monochrome Set and Felt among its huge and massively influential catalog. The Dave Matthews Band’s label ATO Records also joined the eMusic roster, bringing Mike Doughty and the North Mississippi All Stars.
Other recent labels to join include well known blues producer Arhoolie Records, classical producer Harmonia Mundi and, from the world of hip-hop, New York’s Definitive Jux (Cannibal Ox, RJD2), London’s Ninja Tune (Kid Koala, Coldcut), Minneapolis’ Rhymesayers (Atmosphere, Brother Ali) and Los Angeles’ Stones Throw (Madvillian, the late J. Dilla).
“eMusic’s growth rate continues to accelerate, and independent labels choose to work with us because they understand that we effectively target and market to their audience,” said David Pakman, eMusic President and CEO, in a statement. “Our rapidly growing subscriber base and focus on merchandising independent artists allows us unusual leverage to help independent labels increase their sales while helping independent artists to build their audience.”