Spinnup switches from open DIY distribution to invite-only

20 May 2022 - 12:40

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

Universal Music-owned DIY distribution platform Spinnup announced that it would drop its open DIY music distribution service and switch to a “curated artist discovery and distribution platform”.

Spinnup general manager Nina Usher.

Spinnup revealed the news via email this week. The transition to an invite-only platform will see a number of DIY artists on the platform along with their music being removed from the platform.

“Spinnup is evolving into a fully curated invite-only artist discovery and music distribution platform,” the company said. “This change means we can’t accommodate all current Spinnup users.”

“Artists who are leaving Spinnup are being asked to take down their releases and transfer to a new distributor by July 19, 2022, after that date we will need to begin taking down any remaining live releases from departing artists.

“We’re here to help guide you through this transition if you are an artist who will be leaving Spinnup. We’ve put together guidance on everything you need to know to navigate this change, download your assets, transfer your releases, and manage your incoming royalties over the coming months.”

The company asked artists to refrain from making contact with their support team or messaging them on social media asking for an invitation. “Invitations will be sent to artists who are in contact with or have been approached, by the Spinnup team or any other affiliates within Universal Music Group”, Spinnup said.

Spinnup was founded in Sweden in 2013, before expanding to the UK, Norway, Denmark, Germany, and more recently, Japan. In 2016, the platform surpassed 100 000 artists, some of whom have signed deals with Universal labels. Spinnup allows artists to keep 100% of their royalties for a fixed fee to use the service. Following the global lockdowns due to COVID, Spinnup unveiled an initiative which allowed its artists to release a single or two for free via its platform in May 2020.

Spinnup joins platforms such as Stem, which has shifted from its original DIY distribution model, which allowed artists to upload their music freely. Sony Music-owned distributor AWAL puts song submissions through an initial A&R filter, which sees about nine out of 10 submissions by indie artists being rejected.