WFMU Launches Free Music Archive

Eclectic New Jersey radio station WFMU has unveiled an open-access digital music library called the Free Music Archive.

Eclectic New Jersey radio station WFMU has unveiled an open-access digital music library called the Free Music Archive (FMA). The project has been in the works since last year, and new additions continue to be made on a daily basis. The station is collaborating with kindred spirits like California’s dublab, and plans to recruit more contributors as the project matures. The site states its mission in plain English: “The Free Music Archive is an interactive library of high-quality, legal audio downloads… Every mp3 you discover on The Free Music Archive is pre-cleared for certain types of uses that would otherwise be prohibited by outdated copyright law.” In addition to its audio offerings, FMA provides information such as their artists’ biographical information, touring schedules, and personal websites. To encourage financial support of participating performers, the archive features convenient links to purchasing complete albums and enabling “tips” to be deposited directly into their PayPal accounts. WFMU sees their brainchild as a modern interpretation of traditional radio. “Radio has always offered the public free access to new music. The Free Music Archive is a continuation of that purpose, designed for the age of the internet.” Check it out at “http://freemusicarchive.org/”