ROADRUNNER RECORDS Launches SignMeTo Social Network
Roadrunner Records has announced the launch of web property SignMeTo Roadrunner Records, a dynamic new free service that mimics the actual A&R process using social networking tactics.
SignMeTo is a fun and functional way for fans and unsigned bands to participate in the music industry’s A&R process. Users begin by signing up as “scouts,” and unsigned bands create their own profiles, which scouts then rate and tag. The band profiles offer comprehensive functionality, with bands being able to upload photos, video, music and tour dates. For added convenience, artists and managers are able to use one dashboard to control multiple profiles.
Scouts then peruse the site and rate and review bands, which impact SignMeTo charts, which refresh daily or weekly by genre. The more each scout interacts with the site, the more weight their opinions carry. New charts are formed as users spread new tags, with genres expanding from the very simple “Alternative” or “Rock” all the way to more complex genres like “Russian Death Metal.” Besides other chart incentives, bands can also earn badges, some of which are bestowed by real Roadrunner A&R staff. SignMeTo already boasts 6,000+ active band profiles and 10,000+ scouts.
For bands, an added perk is that profile URLs are static, meaning that artists can use their SignMeTo profiles instead of clunkier, existing platforms. Unlike other services that allow bands to host music and content for free, SignMeTo provides an endgame: prevailing as the top-ranked artist in their respective genre or user-generated tag charts. And who knows — maybe a lucky few will end up with a Roadrunner Records deal!
Jon Satterley, Senior Vice President of New Media and Global Business Development and chief architect of SignMeTo, said, “Roadrunner Records is one of the few record labels left with a recognizable brand — one that stands for the very best in rock, metal and alternative music. We wanted to create a fun place for the thousands of bands and fans who are part of our world… but perhaps not yet on the artist roster. To immerse themselves in the culture of the label — a culture they themselves created and keep creating. SignMeTo is a place to discover new music, engage in real musical critiquing, and (as an artist) test yourself against the thousands of other musicians hoping to get discovered.”
Launched in 2010, SignMeTo Roadrunner Records is Roadrunner’s unique take on the world of A&R, music discovery and social networking. Dedicated to providing a quality experience to a vibrant community of fans and artists, SignMeTo is fast proving to be the destination site for unsigned rock, alternative and metal music.
Originally founded in 1980 in the Netherlands, Roadrunner Records has earned its place as one of the most prominent international independent record labels. Established primarily as a hard rock label, Roadrunner now boasts depth and variety in its artists. The label has recently experienced unprecedented success with multi-platinum artists NICKELBACK and SLIPKNOT, near-platinum THEORY OF A DEADMAN, gold-certified STONE SOUR and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, as well as modern heavy hitters KORN, DREAM THEATER, MEGADETH, TRIVIUM and OPETH. Roadrunner’s current roster also includes such diverse acts such as THE PARLOR MOB, plus up-and-comers like YOUNG THE GIANT, BLACK STONE CHERRY and AIRBOURNE. Loud & Proud Records, a label joint-venture with Roadrunner, is home to established heritage rock acts including ROB ZOMBIE, LYNYRD SKYNYRD, RATT, MEAT LOAF (North America) and KISS (Europe and select territories). Roadrunner catalog includes now-classic albums from seminal artists such as TYPE O NEGATIVE, SEPULTURA and KING DIAMOND. Still headquartered in the Netherlands, Roadrunner occupies offices in New York, now the A&R hub for the label, as well as the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, France, Japan and Australia.
Source: Music Industry Report
