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Independent label Sounds Are Active has introduced a subscription package available through their website (www.soundsareactive.com) that provides over 10 albums of content plus a DVD for less than $40.
The multi-platform subscription includes CD quality (192kps), DRM-free mp3 downloads, physical CD releases and an exclusive live DVD. The package covers present and future releases through the end of 2005.
No stranger to off-the-wall innovation, Sounds Are Active also offers two t-shirts
on their website that come with free downloadable music. According to label
founder and musician Chris Schlarb they aren’t interested in the ancient
formula of brick and mortar distribution, “Our experience with distributors
has been spotty at best. If we can offer something unique to our fans I think
we stand a better chance of sticking around a while. Obviously people are listening
to music differently than they did just five years ago. And by the same token
I don’t think you can control music the same way it was controlled a few
years ago. With our subscription package you can burn the downloadable albums
to CD or rip the CD’s and listen on your iPod and the quality of our mp3’s
are much higher than iTunes minus any restrictions on how you can listen to
it. So far the feedback has been very positive.”
Included in the subscription package are CD releases from Electric iLL (side
project of Viva Voce drummer/singer Kevin Robinson) and Create (!)’s newest
free jazz recording which features Raymond Raposa of the Castanets. Among the
downloadable releases are Soul-Junk side project Golden Poultry Error and Texas
jazz-rockers MakeShift:Shelter. The first mp3 release, an ambient/electronic
collaboration from Xn. And Deneir is available now for download. In another
interesting twist, all of the downloadable albums are free to the public whether
a subscriber or not.
Founded in 1999, Sounds Are Active is an independent record label based out
of Long Beach, CA. In addition to releasing jazz, electronic, hip-hop and experimental
music, Sounds Are Active has been recognized in teaching, charity and mentoring
efforts throughout Los Angeles County parks and schools.
