Official NZ Charts to include Bandcamp statistics

Media Release
1 December, 2016

Official NZ Charts to include Bandcamp statistics

Starting tomorrow, both the Official New Zealand Music Charts and IMNZ Charts will include physical and digital sales from Bandcamp – an online record store and music community where artists and labels sell their music direct to fans.

The addition comes as Recorded Music New Zealand continues to evolve the Charts to accurately reflect all the ways that New Zealanders collectively consume music.

Bandcamp joins other popular online music services that contribute such as Spotify, Google Play and Apple Music and traditional physical retailers such as The Warehouse and JB HiFi.

Recorded Music New Zealand Data Manager Paul Kennedy says the changes are in line with the organisation’s commitment to reflecting how music consumption keeps evolving.

"Bandcamp has become a popular destination for local music fans, especially those looking to explore the full depth of independent and innovative music available out there today," he says.

"Being able to fully reflect that diversity of music in both the Official Top 40 and the IMNZ charts is something we are very pleased to be able to do."

This follows the inclusion of streaming in the Singles Chart in 2014 and the Album Charts in June this year.

Bandcamp’s Chief Curator Andrew Jervis says, “New Zealand has so many amazing labels and artists, many of whom use the site. From labels like Flying Nun to Loop Recordings, and a massive array of artists from established acts like Fat Freddy’s Drop and Connan Mockasin, to up and coming groups like Yoko-Zuna, the new New Zealand music scene is alive and kicking.

“We’re delighted that sales happening on Bandcamp will now count towards the New Zealand charts because it should help more fans find more amazing music.”

Millions of fans from all over the world use Bandcamp to discover new music, and connect with and directly support the artists who make that music.

Dylan Pellett, General Manager of Independent Music New Zealand says the addition is a hugely welcome one.

“Bandcamp has become one of the easiest paths to market for New Zealand labels and artists. IMNZ is really happy to include their statistics into the charts ecosystem and we’re confident this will be of great benefit to all independent artists and labels.”

ENDS

About Recorded Music New Zealand: Recorded Music NZ is a non-profit industry representation and licensing organisation for recording artists and their labels. It divides its services into three main areas. The Member Services team delivers projects including the Vodafone NZ Music Awards, the weekly Official NZ Top40 Charts and the Music Grants programme. Recorded Music NZ’s licensing division administers broadcast and public performance licensing either directly or through its joint initiative with APRA called OneMusic. The Pro-Music team is dedicated to protecting and promoting the interests of artists and labels across the New Zealand recording industry.

About The Chart: The Chart is produced by Recorded Music New Zealand from statistics gathered from data collection agency RadioScope. Effective 2nd December 2016 the Chart contributors include: Apple Music, Bandcamp, Google Play, Flying Out, iTunes, JBHiFi, Manna Music, Marbecks, MightyApe, MyMusic Taupo, Real Groovy, Rough Peel, Slowboat, Spotify, Southbound, The Warehouse and Xbox.

About Bandcamp: Bandcamp is a music community where fans can discover and connect with artists and labels, and directly compensate them for their work from downloads to vinyl records. Bandcamp’s mission is to provide artists and labels with a fair and sustainable way to distribute their music directly to their fans, and to give fans easy ways to find and directly support the artists and labels they love. Visit:www.bandcamp.com

About Independent Music New Zealand: IMNZ is a non-profit trade association providing collective benefits and exclusive opportunities to all our members to help grow their businesses. We stand for fairness and equality for all music and encourage open and transparent systems and industry in which creative innovation is at the centre. For more information, visit: www.indies.co.nz

For more information on the Official NZ Top 40 Chart, please see:

www.nztop40.co.nz

www.facebook.com/officialnzmusicchart

www.twitter.com/officialnzchart

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