How does this sound? Free music for your podcasts and video soundtracks. Not pirated music. No, I’m talking royalty-free and pre-cleared, completely legal tracks. As long as what you are doing is non-commercial (i.e. not for sale) you’re in good standing with the Free Music Archive, organized by radio station WFMU (beloved of New Jersey) and curated by music pros.
This is a rich and wonderful opportunity for schools and non-profits, and it’s brand new. Free Music Archive just opened officially last month on April 4th. You get instant access: just download those high quality MP3 files. Or stream it. No registration, no 
fees whatsoever. It couldn’t be easier. There’s a crazy-wide selection: electronic, spoken word, rock, folk, experimental, historical … everything from John Kimmel playing a mean accordion in 1907, to brand new chip music. Don’t know what chip music is? Search the free music archive and find out. I did and I’m loving it. If you don’t like it, all I can say is: don’t harsh my buzz.
Tags: free music, free music archive, podcast, video
Can’t wait to check it out Sally. Thanks for the heads-up. I am curious to learn how the composers/musicians get renumeration from this if it’s totally free. Wonder if Free Music Archive pays some nominal fee. I know a lot of musicians and won’t pirate or download unless it’s cleared so this sounds reall cool.
Jane,
FMA gives away individual tracks, but encourages you to buy the whole album. They even have a virtual “tip jar” on the site, to encourage you to give, even if only a little. Good vibes all around.
thanks for dropping by….
Sally
As a music fan with an insatiable appetite, this looks like a win/win. I may get a majority of my music for free- mostly through the library system- but when I get hardcore hooked- I am signing up on the artist’s website, and sooner or later, attending concerts. Getting the music out is the name of the game.
Thanks for giving me another place to hang out and feed my ears!
Thanks for giving me a good thinks.
I hope you don’t mind if I mention my royalty free creative commons music site http://www.danosongs.com as an additional resource for safe legal music for educators.
Thanks,
Dan-O
Happy to hear about it, Dan. Thanks for telling us.
Sally
is it legal to download the songs for free :S?? I just hope its not..
Thanks for giving me a good thinks.
Definatley a win-win.