Independent Record Labels Curate Free Music Discover Platform

TheNewRecord, a free music platform put together by a cadre of independent record labels went live today. Anti-, Kill Rock Stars, Sub Pop, Century Media, Daptone, and SideOne Dummy are among the 30+ labels involved in the new venture. The co-founder of SideOneDummy Records, Bill Armstrong, was also the creator. "As a fan, I felt that new music wasn't being organized in a way that made it easy to find....I wanted a filtered environment with what I consider other high quality artists whom we might share similar or even some of the same fans," he said. New label partners are being added.

So what is TheNewRecord? Essentially, it's an electronic interface that allows users a free filtered environment to play and download new songs weeks in advance of release. With a free one-time sign-up, a user can play and download unlimited free MP3s, use a built-in widget to embed songs or playlists, create and swap customizable playlists with other users, and share new finds over Facebook, Twitter, email, or 340 other social networks. Using the "Follow" feature, users will have new music delivered to them directly from the record label or artist before release date. Users can also follow each other, filtering new music through their friend's tastes.

Access to TheNewRecord will only be available in North America.