DISTROKID BANNED ME FOR LIFE

Summary

In this video, Ryan from the Indie Music Academy recounts his experience with DistroKid, a music distribution platform. Despite being a loyal client with a record label account and multiple releases, Ryan's account was suddenly banned without explanation, and his music was delisted. After unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issue, he was forced to move his music to another distributor. Ryan highlights the potential pitfalls of DistroKid's subscription model, which can trap artists into lifetime contracts, and encourages viewers to consider their options carefully.

Takeaways

• 😕 The artist experienced a ban from DistroKid without prior notice, causing their album not to be distributed.
• 📧 After two weeks without updates, the artist contacted DistroKid and received a vague response citing 'editorial discretion' as the reason for the ban.
• 🚫 DistroKid's response listed potential issues like poor quality or copyright infringement, but did not specify the exact reason for the ban.
• 🔄 The artist, having been a loyal client with multiple releases, was surprised by the ban and sought clarification.
• 💬 DistroKid did not offer a phone call to discuss the issue, only email communication, which the artist found unsatisfactory.
• 📉 The artist was informed that they could no longer distribute music through DistroKid and were advised to find another distributor.
• 💰 DistroKid's 'Leave a Legacy' fee was revealed to be only applicable in the event of the artist's death, not for account cancellation or ban.
• 🚫 The artist felt trapped by DistroKid's business model, which seemed to prioritize lifetime subscriptions over artist satisfaction.
• 🔄 The artist decided to move their music to another distributor, AWAL, which operates on a revenue-sharing model without yearly fees.
• 🎧 The artist encourages viewers to consider the implications of subscription models and to make informed decisions about music distribution.

Q & A

What was the issue with the artist's album release through DistroKid?

The artist's album was not released and was not available in stores two weeks past the release date without any updates or communication from DistroKid.

How did DistroKid respond when the artist inquired about the delayed album release?

DistroKid responded by stating that the artist's releases have been rejected due to editorial discretion and suggested that the artist should try another distributor.

What reasons did DistroKid provide for the rejection of the artist's album?

DistroKid listed possible reasons such as too many similar releases, poor quality sound recording, potential copyright infringement, and poor quality artwork.

Why was the artist particularly upset with DistroKid's handling of the situation?

The artist was upset because DistroKid banned their account without any prior notice or specific reason, and they were not given a chance to rectify any potential issues.

What is the 'Leave a Legacy' option mentioned in the script?

The 'Leave a Legacy' option is a fee that artists can pay to DistroKid to keep their music distributed in case they are unable to pay the annual fee, including in the event of death.

What was the artist's reaction to DistroKid's business model regarding the 'Leave a Legacy' option?

The artist found DistroKid's business model to be exploitative and restrictive, as it trapped artists into a lifetime subscription and only allowed music to remain distributed if the artist died.

Why did the artist decide to move their music to another distributor?

The artist decided to move their music to another distributor because DistroKid would not allow them to continue using their service despite being willing to pay additional fees.

What was the outcome of the artist's attempt to cancel their DistroKid account and billing?

DistroKid informed the artist that they could not cancel their account and stop the annual fee without risking the removal of their music from stores, unless they chose the 'Leave a Legacy' option or died.

What alternative distributor did the artist switch to after leaving DistroKid?

The artist switched to a distributor called AWAL after leaving DistroKid.

What is the Indie Music Academy and how does it aim to help independent artists?

The Indie Music Academy is a resource for independent artists that offers educational content, industry tips, and strategies to help artists grow their fanbase and earn income from their music.