MySpace Basks in R.E.M. 'Sun'LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Multiplatinum alternative rockers R.E.M. have partnered with MySpace.com to preview their new album beginning today. This represents the first such initiative involving a social networking portal.
For the next two weeks, visitors to MySpace will be able to play tracks from R.E.M.'s upcoming Warner Bros. release "Around the Sun" for free. The preview also will offer links to tour dates, an iTunes clips sampler, photos and mobile ring tones and wallpapers on a dedicated site (which is one of Warner Bros.' Ringtown series of sites powered by m-Qube). "R.E.M. is one of those legendary bands that create an eventlike atmosphere on our site," MySpace CEO Chris DeWolfe said. "This is a unique chance to get millions of people talking, simultaneously, about the new album." MySpace.com has about 4 million registered users, but there is no need to register in order to listen to the album. Registered users, however, have the additional capability of adding the R.E.M. profile link to their personal list and passing the link to other users. DeWolfe said that besides the sheer numbers, placement on MySpace benefited from the "exponential" effect of users spreading the word to each other. DeWolfe declined to detail the underlying business arrangement. "Our site is supported by advertising," he said. "But there will be times that a music company will pay for advertising, and there are times when we will do business development deals." Scheduled for release Oct. 5, "Around the Sun" is R.E.M.'s 13th album and features the single "Leaving New York." The band begins an extensive fall tour Oct. 13 in Los Angeles, hitting about 30 North American cities. The band also will participate in the upcoming Vote for Change tour starting Oct. 1, joining such participants as Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band and James Taylor. "We expect many more deals like this in the future," DeWolfe said. "It's a new way for indie and major labels to get their music out to the masses, and we believe it will work out well for the labels, MySpace and for music fans."
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