A German band has shunned the music industry and instead decided to release their soundtrack on mobile phones only with the use of polyphonic ringtones. The album Panda Babies by Super Smart is published by the GoFresh mobile label which specialises in music ringtones for mobile phones. The identity of the band is unknown, according to Super Smart, this is because the band doesn't want interference from record labels but is also a useful gimmick to attract media attention. The band decided to release their songs on mobile phones because they could circumvent the traditional music publishing machine. The GoFresh label has signed over 20 artists and has sold 1 million ringtones in 1 year of operation. A full album of songs will cost around 10-12 euros including a mobile video from GoFresh for the time being.
| A band from Germany has adopted a novel approach to getting their music heard by millions. Super Smart have turned their backs on vinyl and CDs and instead have decided to just release their album as The album, Panda Babies, is published by a German company that focuses on digital music for mobile phones. "Music has to be re-thought," said Antonio Vince Staybl, founder of the Go Fresh Mobile Music label. The identity of the four-piece from Munich is shrouded in mystery and in photos they appear with giant panda heads.
They say they decided to release their album as polyphonic ringtones so that they could circumvent the traditional music publishing machine. Those curious enough to sample the mix of disco pop and electro punk will only have to pay an introductory price of 1.99 euros (£1.32) for Panda Babies. "We release songs within a few hours across Europe without interfaces to the traditional music industry," said Toni Werner Montana of GoFresh Europe. "Our prices for a ringtone album or a compilation of 10 to 12 tracks including a mobile phone video will settle down at four to five euros and the price for a single ringtone at 1.49 euro (99 pence) in the medium-term." GoFresh already signed up 20 artists and last month said it has sold a million ringtones in just under a year of operation. Phone ringtones are big business, with most pop hits available to buy as mobile phone rings for between £1.50 and £3.50. |
You can read the full story over at the BBC. You can check out Super Smart site and see what they have to offer, however the site is in German. You can check out the labels site here GoFresh Label this site is in German too. It's nice to see bands moving away from the recording industries into areas that they feel let them do creative things like this. Imagine a band like Linkin Park telling a music company they are only releasing their music in ringtones, they wouldn't be allowed. Good to see some bands taking new and innovative approaches
Source: BBC NEWS
