Rdio to Feature Top Indie Artists from Merlin

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Rdio subscribers can now listen to top indie artists including Vampire Weekend, The Pixies, Belle and Sebastian, Tim McGraw, and Boards of Canada as a result of a licensing agreement with global independent rights agency, Merlin.

Rdio (www.rdio.com) is the music service that lets subscribers listen to unlimited music on the web and mobile devices, anytime and anywhere.

Merlin (www.merlinnetwork.org) represents the largest collection of rights outside of those held by the larger major labels.  This includes repertoire from labels such as Rough Trade, Warp Records, Yep Roc/Red Eye, Epitaph, Naxos, Naive, Tommy Boy, One Little Indian, Kontor New Media, Beggars Group, (PIAS) Entertainment Group, !K7, Merge, Domino and Koch/E1, and top indie acts including The xx, Grizzly Bear, The National, DJ Khaled, Dorrough, Tiesto and hundreds more.

"Our relationship with Merlin and the top indie labels and acts it represents is part of our commitment to bringing the best music experience to our listeners," said Rdio CEO Drew Larner.  

Charles Caldas, Merlin CEO, said, "We are very pleased to see the launch of innovative services like Rdio in the digital market, and are confident that Rdio's users will enjoy the access they now have to the many amazing artists and labels that our members represent."

The Rdio - Merlin relationship is for global distribution of Merlin artists on the Rdio platform.  The companies said Merlin members' music will initially be available in North America, with additional territories to be disclosed in the coming months.

With its members' digital market share reported at around 10 percent of the global market, Merlin provides an invaluable solution to digital music services looking to offer their users the world's most important independent labels. As a result of the relationship, Rdio's subscribers have access to some of the world's most important independent artists, and have an exciting new platform to reach music fans and realize greater value from their art.

Rdio's social music streaming service lets fans discover and share music, and recommends songs based on listening habits and the playlists shared by friends.  Rdio subscribers can play as many songs they want, on their personal computers or mobile devices, anytime and anywhere.

About Merlin

Merlin, the virtual fifth major, represents the world's most important set of independent music rights. Merlin commenced operations in May 2008 and since then has struck deals with a number of digital services including Rdio, Spotify, MySpace Music, Sky Songs, Catch Media and Simfy. Merlin seeks to ensure its members have effective access to new and emerging revenue streams and that their rights are appropriately valued and protected.  

Merlin represents by far the largest and most compelling basket of global independent rights in the world and so offers the most efficient means of licensing this repertoire. Members include Rough Trade, Warp Records, Epitaph, Naive, Tommy Boy, One Little Indian, Yep Roc/Red Eye, Kontor New Media, Beggars Group, Merge, !K7, PIAS, Domino and Koch/E1. Their artists include Vampire Weekend, Arcade Fire, The xx, Neko Case, The National, Tom Waits, Spoon, Grizzly Bear, DJ Khaled, Dorrough, Tiesto, Scooter and many, many more.

A global organization, its members' market share in the US alone is reported at around 10%, equivalent to that of the smaller major labels, whilst in Europe member labels released 72% of the top 60 independent albums issued in the past three years and commanded a 11% digital UK market share in 2009. For more information please visit www.merlinnetwork.org.

About Rdio

Rdio is an unlimited, on-demand social music service from the founders of Skype. Rdio brings music alive by letting subscribers listen to as many songs as they want, anytime, anywhere, and discover and share new music with friends.  Rdio was founded by Janus Friis with Niklas Zennstrom. Funding was received from Atomico, a leading technology investment group.  For more information please visit www.rdio.com.

SOURCE Rdio