TempoStand is a blast of a website from a bunch of techies in Ahmedabad. No, its not a portal for the auto rickshaw guys. It’s a music portal for promoting independent artists, musicians & bands in India. All the music parked on TempoStand is Creative Commons BY-SA license. People can listen to the music online or download some of the albums for free (in the works). They can also buy their own CD albums by paying for it, mix it and then share it further on with one condition – the original work has to be attributed. TempoStand must the first Indian website offering music on Creative Commons (though I’m not completely sure), and if successful, this could unleash a new paradigm of creative expression in music, backed by a legalized mass distribution framework, while providing a platform for popularizing non label Indian music.
TempoStand is the endeavor of three engg grads from DAIICT, Ahmedabad– Gaurav, Naman & Ujjwal. After graduating, they decided to spurn job offers with some of the big Indian software companies and pursue their idea full time. Needless to say, what binds them together is the love for music. They have organized SPICMACAY events in college; they have contacts with local independent musicians and Ujjwal has worked as a sound engineer with several bands. And if are wondering what prompted them to name their site “TempoStand”- well, they just wanted a name that evoked intrigue.
So how does this work and what is their business model? TempoStand tracks down local artists who are creating original music, records their stuff and tries to market it. The musicians come from their own contacts ; people can also write in themselves using this website form. 
The recordings are done in a professional studio. Users can listen to these compositions, which are offered as free podcasts on the website. Some of these will be allowed for free downloading. Once their online store gets going, all the music will be available for sale by paying online. TempoStand plans to release albums (their first album, Lights just went up) which can be ordered via post. Users can also create their own custom CDs by selecting 8 tracks/albums, which will be delivered to them. All the music can be used in your own compositions under the Creative Commons license stipulations. And the music could be of any genre- jazz, Hindi rock, traditional rock, fusion, folk music, instrumental et al. TempoStand’s revenue model is oriented towards proceeds from the sale of music and musical merchandise on the website. The team plan to offers music streaming on the mobile as well.
TempoStand (I actually get a jerk every time I write the name) is a great idea because it is trying to leverage on the long tail of Indian music and enhance its discoverability on the internet. There is another factor that could help them in the current Indian media & entertainment scenario- content is getting so predictable as well as polarized. Look at Bollywood movies- they all look alike now, they all seem to be made for the same audiences (mostly the multiplex type). Huge swatches of Hindi film audiences are completely being ignored by Bollywood filmmakers in their attempt to cash in on the multiplex culture. Though I am no expert on music/entertainment, I think a similar situation may be emerging in the music industry with the big record labels catering to established genres. The time is ripe for the long tail effect to kick in and become a catalyst in the nucleation of entirely new genres of entertainment – whether in music, movies etc.
Its imperative for TempoStand to go out and make efforts towards increasing awareness about Creative Commons and how it works. And on a different note, something I liked about the TempoStand guys is their direct, levelheaded (somewhat humorous) approach. Check out this Q&A from their FAQ section.
Q- Are you like rock people?
A- No we are Hindustani, Sufi, Fusion, Jazz, Carnatic, Folk, Rock and all other genres people.
Overall TempoStand looks very promising to me. I am aware of a few other Indian independant music sites (RadioVerve, JhankarBeats) but I am not sure if they are being pursued as serious online business ventures.
Love it. Great to see innovation coming out from Ahmedabad. From a business standpoint, more than sourcing music, it seems like marketing music might be a big challenge for them…
While the music producing tail is very long, the internet user population is still very small and most of them visit raaga.com
Great idea!
I am sure that we are going to get exposed to real good music very soon through TempoStand. Already, the songs/music which is their website is of a decent level and the album ‘lights’ is quite good. A great platform for talented musicians and singers.
Hummm…won’t say the idea is totally new (works more or less like Rhapsody) but the market is new. Whats will be interesting to see is the fact if a huge success elsewhere can also be in the indian market….
Thank you everyone for the comments.
@Big V Well we agree that the challenge lies in marketing the songs, but i guess there in lies the opportunity.Just wait we have some really innovative ideas for these too.
@Maya Well wont agree that we are similar to Rhapsody…….our focus and USP is originals. And this is just the start, there is a lot to more to come. You will see things which are new not just in the Indian Domain but also in the entire web space.You will see how we are uniquely very different
Its good that the independent scene is getting more and more active, eventually it will benefit the scene in its entirety.
Btw, Since we were mentioned anyway, Just want to point out the new RadioVeRVe with 7 different channels and over 200 independent artists.
Also, i dont know what a serious online venture entails but be rest assured we take what we do very seriously 🙂
Best of luck to Gaurav and gang over at Tempostand.
Cheers,
Shreyas
Radioverve
Hey Shreyas,
Thanks and all the best to you too.[:)]
Enjoy,
Gaurav
Cool idea. Great execution.I had this plan for long time but somehow I never able to materialise it. Anyway Its always gud to see how your idea look like after execution and I am impressed with Tempo Stand ……..
I am sure Tempo stand can be great platefrom for talented musicians and singers. I hav a gut feeling that this idea has tremendious potential …i am sure feel the same..
Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeers ppl!
I am overwhelmed by the zeal and initiative
In full support, I wish you a lotsa success!
Rock on
Definitely with the success of Indian Idol and other real life competition, every on wants to be Sonu Nigam and Udit Narayan. It is a very strong emotion Tempostand is hitting the gas on.
Saurav
awesome guys…. rock on!!!
Thank you everyone for the great support extended. We hope that Tempostand triggers a trend of democratic creative expression. You will hear a lot from/about us and that too very soon. Keep checking http://www.tempostand.com and enjoy the music.
cheers,
Gaurav
Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! dxhypajdztygyz
Hey this is a great idea and the market seems to be good too.The founding team seems to be the one of the youngest breed of entrepreneurs in India, Bravo!!
Seems like they identified a big enough niche. Will be really interesting to see how the e-commerce aspect works.
All the best guys.
Music is my hobby and great to see something of this kind happening in India. I am sure you will be very successful.
All the best!
Tempostand stands out tall above the rest for it’s freashness and creativeness.
Also,the concept of originality and anti-plariarism in music spreads positive vibes among the listeners.
Many thanks to Gaurav, Naman & Ujjwal for their effort n passion to bring to us the best.
Hey great idea and nice execution.But still a long way to go to see if it actually works.However, the creative commons aspect of the site would be a great boon for the artists. All the best guys
Rajiv
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Great & OUTSTANDING idea!!
It will surely take the Indian music market in its sway.
The budding talents from every nook and corner of our country will now be able to reach out to the masses, with the help of Tempo Stand.
A great endeavour from Gaurav, Naman & Ujjwal !!! The uniqueness and freshness in the whole concept of Tempo Stand is worth appreciating.
My Best Wishes for the up-and-coming days 🙂
**
TempoStand: Renaissance of music in India.
The idea of Tempostand sounds great to me…I think it is a golden opportunity for budding musicians to use this….now you don’t need to leave a safe job in say a small town and go all the way to Bombay for example and struggle to get a record deal….tempostand is the way to go and all you need is internet access…that’s truly music beyond borders….i guess i am sounding a little excited….because I truly am..having said that the success of tempostand depends on the quality of music which is going to come from the people ….you guys have given a platform and it is in our interest to use it and popularize it for ‘our’ own success…and as an offshoot if the site does well, it’s good for you guys too…i like the whole ‘everyone wins’ scheme of the site…take care
another thing…although it may be a bit premature….how about a concert on the lines of GIR….i don’t know maybe have a 3 day music festival with each day devoted to a particular genre…that way ghazal lovers may not have to endure rock if they don’t wish to or vice versa(that’s if you dont enjoy both)….anyway that was just a thought…i guess i am rambling here
Creative common’s for Music wont really work…
I bet, you people are up with the next big thing, Bollywood really sucks big time and its time for a fresh insight into the creativity aspect.I am sure you could also go in for a new concept of short film making which is something in between the ADs and the Movies–with a social message but sponsored by a single company keeping into the mind the domain of expertise of the company and the message syncronization.This thing could really work on the mobiles…………………..anyways kudos to you people great going i am sure …..you are going to rock the party!……….
indian music is kind of cool and very stylish;’;
Indian Music is really cool and some of it are great dance music too.-‘:
indian music is quite cool and a bit colorful, i like it’-‘
indian music is quite cool, you just can’t get enough of those beat’,.
indian music is very passionate just like french music`*’
Indian music is kinda groovy and cheesy specially if you have seen those bollywood movies .;;