So another online music store has opened. So what? Well if the descriptions are true, then eMusic could be the start of true niche music marketing online...
According to it's own marketing eMusic "... stands alone as the only digital music service that is 100% focused on serving the needs of independent music fans and independent labels. Delivering almost two million downloads each month, eMusic is among the top digital music services, offering a diverse catalog of over 3.5 million songs from established and emerging artists in every genre from the world's top independent labels. eMusic was the first service to sell songs and albums in the popular MP3 format and the first company to launch a digital music subscription service. Unlike other services that severely restrict portability, eMusic allows members complete flexibility to burn CDs, transfer to MP3 devices and make multiple copies for personal use."
So there you go...
1. A different payment model - based on subscription, but allowing you to keep your content if you cancel,
2. Unrestricted formatting for downloading, allowing flexibility of playback and of storage,
3. An editorial wraparound and a "people who liked this bought this" function.
For me the most interesting thing about this is not the features above, because at any point Apple or Napster could incorporate the first two and already offer the third.
It is the fact that eMusic is being aimed squarely at the independent music fan. If they can capture this segment of the market, they will also capture the attention and loyalty of the segment that spends most time online and spends more cash on downloading.
And they could do it if they keep getting publicity like this from Rolling Stone magazine...
"The indie iTunes — Hardcore music fans are migrating to eMusic, the iTunes Music Store's cheaper, cooler cousin."
Gotta go now - am off to start my free trial period!