Online Music Service Launches In Kiwi Market

Revolutionary Online Music Service Launches In Kiwi Market

Music access like never before. That's what new on-line music platform The Racket ( > www.theracket.co.nz ) are promising Kiwi consumers.

Live from Tuesday, 5 August, www.theracket.co.nz offers free on-line music news, gig guides, reviews, competitions and The Racket community forums.

Go up a notch as a paid subscriber and www.theracket.co.nz enables users to build personalised playlists with streaming capability, soon to include any web-enabled devices such as mobile phones.

For $20 per month up to 500 songs can be streamed at any one time, while a premium subscription of $30 per month increases capacity to 1000 songs and allows users to 'go public', enabling them to broadcast their playlists on the free public broadcast facility.

It's the latter service that's anticipated to be a hit with bands and musicians, keen to raise their profile with additional facilities to advertise gigs, engage with fans and create links to their own websites.

The Racket carries international content but has a local focus with their Featured Artist section, showcasing the cream of New Zealand talent such as Shihad and The Electric Confectionaries who are lined up to launch the feature. The Public Radio section also provides a platform for unsigned talent to stream their music to the masses and even sell singles on-line - DIY- style.

"The Racket is aiming to support local talent and add to the diversity of New Zealand's music industry by offering more choice to music consumers," says founding member Rob Gordon of The Racket Media Group.

"By working with major labels (Universal, Sony BMG, EMI and Warner) and Independent Music New Zealand, The Racket has been able to establish a large and musically diverse catalogue for its members. With the inclusion of a requests page we've made a commitment to grow with the tastes of our members."

As The Racket is a paid-up member of both APRA and PPNZ, by joining The Racket members are ensuring that both the performers and composers of the music are being paid for their work.

Says Anthony Healey, Executive Director of NZ Operations of APRA NZ:

"Music plays a huge role in our lives today and smart convenient solutions that ensure the makers of the music share in the rewards should be the future."

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