PureVolume

PureVolume (formerly Unborn Media) was the first independently run website of its type, allowing for the upload and stream of music files. PureVolume was created by Unborn Media, Inc; Mitchell Pavao, Brett Woitunski, and Nate Hudson all from the University of Massachusetts.

PureVolume is a website for the discovery and promotion of new music and emerging artists. The mission was to give artists a new promotion tool. Each artist had a profile that typically contains basic info, updates, photos, shows and music for streaming. Artists had the option of making each of their songs available for free download. Listeners and fans were also able to create profiles to interact with artists and each other, as well as track and share music they like. PureVolume went through several layout changes and a change from orange to blue in their color, however the layout from the homepage to the artist profiles remained essentially the same since 2003.

The focus is on promoting "indie" music groups and artists, meaning those who are not in the mainstream, although has also seen the rise of many of the previously "indie" bands they were promoting.^[1]

PureVolume was acquired by pop-culture media conglomerate SpinMedia in 2010.

History

The idea to create PureVolume was that of officer/creator Brett Woitunski after gaining advance knowledge that CNET planned to take mp3.com offline upon acquisition, slated for late 2003. PureVolume.com launched in BETA on Thanksgiving Eve of 2003, with 'The Suicide Pact' as the main featured band. Prior to the launch of PureVolume Unborn Media had designed local business websites in Amherst, MA. It was thought of as a 'magazine' with sound. The homepage would be a split of editorial and paid placement, with the content rotating within each spot except the "PurePicks" section, a weekly recommendation of 8 new artists for users to enjoy. For all of 2003, 2004 and first 4 months of 2006 this was Welch's task, it was taken over by both Brett and Mike and the distinct musical taste gave the homepage a new feel and began a new chapter for the brand. More predominantly in the site's early years, indie labels looked to the site for new artists, the "PurePicks" were put out each week. After 2 weeks in the section, Gym Class Heroes were in a meeting with Fueled by Ramen Records. They were the first band to be 'discovered' on PureVolume. It opened a new chapter in the world of music.

Influence

Record labels use PureVolume to promote their artists and even look for new ones to sign. The first artists to link a record deal directly to their PureVolume page were the Gym Class Heroes. The fame of groups such as Paramore, Boys Like Girls, Fall Out Boy,^[1][2] Hawthorne Heights, My American Heart, Daphne Loves Derby,^[1] Taking Back Sunday, My Chemical Romance, Forever The Sickest Kids, Panic! At the Disco, Brand New,^[2] Gangzta Paradize, The Scene Aesthetic ^[3] and The Spin Room have been credited to exposure on PureVolume.

References

• Ziemba, Christine N. (21 April 2005). "WEB NOTES; 11 million fliers, no posting; Bands can beat the Kinko's jam by using websites like MySpace or PureVolume". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 
• "Technology: Picking on Apple". Newsweek. 17 July 2006. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 
• Martens, Todd (30 April 2005). "Site Turns Up 'Purevolume' On Indie Rock Acts". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-05-07. 
• Burgess, Aaron (July 2005). "DIY Roundtable". Alternative Press. Retrieved 2009-12-17. 
• Burgess, Aaron (July 2005). "DIY Roundtable". Alternative Press. 

External links

• PureVolume home page