LONDON, UK (Darkness Official Website/ www.thedarknessrock.com/ Atlantic Records UK) - Stadium rockers The
Darkness have become one of the first major UK recording artists to offer chart eligible digital downloads of their music, alongside CDs and merchandise, from their web site www.thedarknessrock.com.
Launched Mon 13th, the new digitally enabled store is powered by music e-tailer Recordstore.co.uk, who, as one of a handful of chart registered online retailers, will provide data on downloads sold towards the new digital download chart.
The download shop seamlessly integrates with the band's existing online store, enabling digital and physical goods to be purchased together within the same shopping cart. So fans can buy The Darkness' digital downloads at the same time as buying their CD singles, albums, DVDs, T-shirts and er, thongs.
Digital singles taken from the band's debut album 'Permission To Land' cost 99p each or �9.49 for the album, and can be bought direct from the band's web site. Plus in a treat for fans, downloads of everything the band has done, including B-sides and rarities, will follow shortly.
So look out for favourites such as 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love' and 'Growing On Me' once again riding high in the charts, though this time round the download chart.
Said Robert Shaw, Head of Online at Whitehouse management, "Our relationship with Recordstore.co.uk pre-dates the band's biggest successes, so when it came to enabling digital downloads there was only one choice. The online aspect has always been important to The Darkness, and we see legitimate downloads as the final piece of the puzzle - and Recordstore are officially chart-registered too!"
Korda Marshall, MD, Atlantic Records UK commented, "As The Darkness' label, we fully support their new digital venture. Making their music available digitally from their web site is the logical next step from selling purely physical product. In addition to this it heightens the consumer experience, providing a one-stop shop for the fans whilst simultaneously offering a legitimate alternative to peer to peer file sharing.
"As digital retail transforms the marketplace, consumers can afford to demand a more comprehensive purchasing process. The Darkness' digital store will be the first of its kind to supply this demand and will unquestionably enhance the online experience for their fans."
Russel Coultart, MD, Recordstore.co.uk said "Following successful trials with independent labels JOOF Recordings and Automatic Records, I am delighted that The Darkness are the first major artist to use our service to sell chart eligible downloads from the combined physical and digital online store on their web site"
