Today, we meet the team of iMusician, a digital distribution company designed to help independent artists and labels sell, manage, and monetize their music. They tell us more about the services they offer, adapted to artists of all genres and career stages.
We are in daily contact with independent artists and labels and we can assure you that there is a real need that Groover meets.
– iMusician –
Can you introduce iMusician and what you offer to independent artists today?
Originally founded in Switzerland, iMusician’s main goal is to help independent musicians sell, manage, and monetize their music across a wide range of streaming platforms and download stores worldwide. In short, we strive to enable all artists around the globe to create, release, and share their music, connecting with fans wherever they are.
While we are best known as a distributor, we also offer additional tools and services that support artists beyond distribution. These include playlist pitching, instant mastering, and music analytics.
We know that the work doesn’t stop once music is released, so we aim to provide tools that help artists manage what comes next in a more efficient way.
Additionally, we connect our members with partner services, such as CD and vinyl pressing, merch designing, and promo platforms like Groover.
👉 Get 20% off on your first purchase with iMusician using the voucher iM.GROOVER
How was the idea of iMusician born?
Over twenty years ago, our two co-founders, Shigs and Tobi, were producing electronic music with their own label. In the early 2000s, as the first legal download and music streaming platforms emerged, they saw an opportunity – and a responsibility, too – to offer their peers fair access to the music industry.
This is how iMusician was created in 2010. Today, we work with more than 500,000 independent artists and labels, and our original vision – making music distribution more accessible – remains unchanged.
| Read also : How to get signed by a label when you are an independent artist?
What are the main features and benefits iMusician offers to independent artists?
First of all, we offer musicians unlimited, forever online music distribution. This means that, unlike other distributors, we don’t charge an annual fee to keep their music on streaming platforms, regardless of which subscription they choose or whether they switch plans or cancel altogether. Artists only have to pay a one-time fee, and their music remains accessible forever, continuously generating streams and royalties, and allowing them to leave their legacy behind.
We also offer unlimited releases across all our plans. This gives artists the flexibility to release music whenever they want without worrying about additional per-release costs or limits.
Another key aspect is access to a wide variety of platforms across different genres. Working with thousands of artists over the years, we’ve seen how important it is for them to release music where their audience is. That’s why, alongside major services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Deezer, we also distribute to niche platforms such as Beatport and Traxsource for electronic music, as well as Apple Music Classical, Idagio, and Vialma for classical artists.
Monetization is another important topic. All our plans include access to YouTube Content ID for an unlimited number of tracks. This allows artists to track where their music is used on YouTube and choose whether to request removal or monetize those videos.
One of our great strengths lies in our Artist & Label Relations team. Experts in online music, they are committed to offering artists the best personal support in six languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. Whether you need help with distribution or have other questions, they’ll be happy to guide you.
Finally, we aim to be completely transparent with artists. It is often the case that distributors charge hidden fees, such as withholding taxes, taking 30% of their music revenue. As a Swiss company, we simply don’t do that. Instead, our goal is to make sure that musicians’ tracks are released correctly the first time, with no unexpected surprises later.
How does iMusician’s pricing model work, and how is it adapted to different types of artists?
Our pricing structure is designed to adapt to the different needs and release strategies of our artists and labels. Artists can choose between pay-per-release options or one of three subscription plans, depending on how frequently they release music and what features they need.
We are also constantly searching for new solutions to help independent musicians make music distribution easier, more affordable, and more powerful than ever, while allowing them to customize their journey without restrictive hurdles.
All of our subscription plans include 0% commission, unlimited releases, and unlimited YouTube Content ID. We have also introduced more modular options to level up on flexibility. For example, labels and collectives can add individual artists to their plan one by one, rather than upgrading to a higher tier. Overall, our goal is to allow artists and labels to choose a setup that fits their needs, without paying for features they don’t use.
What does working at iMusician look like today?
Although the way we run as a company has changed substantially over the past few years, with remote work now being the norm for our teams in both Berlin and Zurich, we are always united by our passion for music. As cheesy as it sounds! We love supporting artists, creating new features for them, improving existing services, and celebrating their successes. When they break through and gain recognition in the music industry, it genuinely feels like we are the winners, too.
While music unites us, it’s the great effort we make together that keeps us connected as individuals. No day goes by without brainstorming ideas, sharing progress as well as difficulties, inspiring each other, and cheering each other on. As a team of over 30 members representing around 15 nationalities, we also love learning about one another and celebrating our cultures.
Finally, how do you see the role of platforms like Groover in today’s music promotion landscape?
We definitely believe platforms like Groover address a real need in the current music landscape and think that’s what makes their model such a great idea. Many members of the iMusician team are artists themselves or run their own labels, and all those who tried Groover were very satisfied with what it offers.
Today, making music available online is only one part of the process. With thousands of tracks released every day, standing out has become increasingly challenging for independent artists.
Promotion and feedback are therefore essential, but getting in touch with media and industry professionals can be time-consuming and often leads to no response, which can be discouraging.
That’s also why Groover’s guaranteed feedback can be particularly valuable, helping artists better understand their positioning, strengths, and areas for improvement.
Try Groover now and contact the music pros to get guaranteed feedback!
