BandLab buys music networking website ReverbNation

Launched in 2006, ReverbNation is a social networking website with digital distribution, management and online marketing tools for independent artists, providing a central point for musicians, producers and venues to engage with each other.

The deal will see ReverbNation’s features integrated into BandLab, which the company says will enhance its recently launched artist services, adding to its artist-to-fan subscriptions and distribution services.

“We are very excited to welcome ReverbNation’s community to BandLab,” BandLab Technologies CEO Meng Kuok said. “We have a clear vision of the role BandLab plays in supporting creators worldwide. Artist services are a key part of that plan, as evidenced by our recently announced subscriptions and distribution offerings. This acquisition allows us to accelerate BandLab’s product roadmap and further enable us to break down technical, geographic, and creative barriers facing musicians and fans.

“We’ve known ReverbNation for a long time and had great respect for its ability to build a terrific artist services business. There are more exciting announcements to come, but what ReverbNation brings to BandLab seamlessly fits with our vision - a future where there are no boundaries to making and sharing music.”

Following the acquisition, eMinor will focus on its other software businesses, including its rapidly growing youth sports platform PlayMetrics.

“When BandLab approached us with their thesis for integrating ReverbNation and BandLab,” eMinor CEO Mike Doernberg said. “It made complete sense, especially for our artists. BandLab is a natural fit. ReverbNation has long been the standard for artist promotion and growth tools. Since its evolution from a startup in 2006 to a mature, profitable business today, it has continually innovated. We have known and admired the management team at BandLab for some time and are excited about this extraordinary offering that will serve music makers in new and powerful ways.”

Founded in 2015, BandLab is a social music creation platform. The free-to-use mobile-facing digital audio workstation (DAW) brings together the entire creator journey into one place, boasting a suite of features and tools for creators, with more than 40 million creators.

The move adds to BandLab Technologies’ impressive list of acquisitions. In 2018, the company acquired media platforms MusicTech, MusicTech Focus, The Guitar Magazine and Guitar Classic, followed by UK media brands NME and Uncut in 2019.