Two music websites are encouraging young Indians to pick up instruments, perform and realise their musical potential. Sunday Mid Day pitted the two talent hunters against each other How it works: Since it's a digital music platform for original and unreleased music, the emphasis is on exploring the unheard. The site showcases and monetises content from independent artists, who may not have albums with record labels, but want a platform for selling and promoting their music. <img alt="" src="/imagedata/2010/nov/artistaloud.jpg" border="5" /> Artist Aloud (.com) u00a0 The artists are handpicked, thoughu00a0-- Hungama Digital Media Entertainment, which launched the site, has signed on a slew of independent artists, some fairly well known like Abhijeet Bhattacharya, Shibani Kashyap, Hema Sardesai, Suneeta Rao and rock bands Dream Out Loud, Parikrama, Devoid, Workshop amongst others and regular gig players Demonic Resurrection, Thermal And A Quarter. How it started: Set up in May 2009 as an initiative by Hungama as a facilitator between Indie artists and fans, it's a solution for artists who have not been able get a commercial release for their original compositions and in the process have had to resort to free downloads. Pros: The website layout is clean and user-friendly. Fans can listen, buy, share and vote for singles. The tracks are promoted on iTunes, Amazon and through domestic and international mobile operators. It also offers mobile ringtones, wallpapers and full song downloads for the mobile (at m.ArtistAloud.com). Cons: We couldn't find a space for fans to comment on the singles or their favourite artists, a gaping void for a website that wants to connect to fans with independent artists. The artists are handpicked, and some of them already have a mainstream following. Verdict: A good place to listen to new unreleased singles by solo artists and bands you've already been keeping track of. How it works: The "platform for young musicians" lets you sign up for free, create a band profile and bring all your other social networks profiles, including Facebook, Youtube, Vimeo, MySpace, SoundCloud and Twitter, together at one place. Every band that uploads a video appears on the constantly changing Buzz Chart, which lists the current Top 10 in real time. u00a0 It ranks bands depending on video views, ratings and comments on their band page, tweets on Twitter and plays on MySpace. The top four bands will be selected for a special broadcast ufffd a music video shot in the band's bedroom. The winning band will bag a nationwide tour, and a gig at the recently announced Great Indian Rock Festival. <img alt="" src="/imagedata/2010/nov/redbull.jpg" border="5" /> Red Bull Bedroom Jam (.in) How it started: The concept was first launched in the UK in September 2007, with an online live gig by Kerrang award nominees Youmeatsix. The cream of the artists who enter, get a chance to stream live performances straight from their bedroom and play onstage at some of UK's biggest festivals. The Indian site is a recent phenomenon. Pros: The site has many Indian rock and metal bands, which otherwise don't get the support they deserve. Fans can support their favourite band and post comments easily by signing up with their Facebook, MySpace or Twitter account. Cons: The black background is not reader-friendly; the wiry font doesn't help either. The layout could have been more exciting and interactive. Verdict: A great place for metalheads, rock music lovers and fans of related genres to keep up with new and amateur bands, without having to leave their bedrooms.

When Imran took a break

Two music websites are encouraging young Indians to pick up instruments, perform and realise their musical potential. Sunday Mid Day pitted the two talent hunters against each other

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