BEST BUY Finds New Partner

Good news for independent artists: music and electronics retail giant Best Buy is teaming up with Regionalcd.net to stock its shelves and online store with local and unsigned artists.

Good news for independent artists: music and electronics retail giant Best Buy is teaming up with Regionalcd.net to stock its shelves and online store with local and unsigned artists. While the major labels’ and distributors’ focus on projected initial orders has kept a steady flow of only big-name releases in Best Buy stores— and kept local and unsigned artists off the shelves— the new partnership will offer independent music on Bestbuy.com, as well as in strategic locations to cater specifically to local and regional fan bases. According to RegionalCD, stores will start off with light initial orders, and let demand dictate the inventory levels for each location. RegionalCD will consider bands based on volume of publicity and exposure. The size of the bands fanbase will be measured in part by the popularity of their website, MySpace, or Facebook pages, and attendance at local performances. Selected artists will obviously receive a cut of every CD sold.

But there could be a downside; while this is a great opportunity for indie groups to get their name and music out, and maybe even see their picture nestled in with Michael Bolton, it could prove a huge blow to independent record stores. Whether or not this move will strangle your local record shop remains to be seen.