Hello HN, take a look at my new (beta) app BonMp3?
First off, it's been great following you since September. I really feel like I've learned some valuable insights into technology, business, science, and so many other topics from you. And attending this recent Startup school was probably the turning point for me, when I resolved to make something that people want to use, that people love.
I've always been really interested in music. I played bass and drums for years growing up, though between you and I, I never managed to develop a good sense of rhythm. My older brother was seemingly infinitely talented in every instrument he touched, and played in local bands for years. Of course I was jealous.
It's been a long time since those days, but I've finally settled on my contribution to the music scene. It's a music distribution service that bands and musicians can sign up for. Nothing too different so far, however, instead of the status quo of a ~70% return on album sales to the musician, we're targeting 90%. We're also going to donate most of that other 10% to the Save the Music Foundation for the first six months, and 1% for each month afterwards, as long as the service is alive and kicking. We like to call it music distribution with a conscience.
I really don't plan to make (a ton of) money off of this site, or quit my day job, which I'm hoping will help differentiate us from the competition. The business infrastructure behind music is showing signs of aging, inefficiency, etc, etc, and the vision here is to show how simple and efficient music distribution can be, and (hopefully) that it pays to put the musician first.
Anyway, I should probably give you the link so you can tell me how beta my beta service is. In case you haven't gathered so far, it's pretty solidly in the beta category. And by beta, I mean it should all work but is still facing some big development efforts:
http://bonmp3.com/
Thanks HN!