Today we released the single largest revision to the ArtistData platform. For the past few months we've been reworking and improving the user interface to develop a framework that will allow us to drastically expand our site's capabilities. We are thrilled to share it with everyone today.

Our old user interface was suitable when we initially launched in 2008, but we quickly outgrew it. Today's release is an interface that has a stronger foundation to support future growth, and we believe it is an easier site to use based on your valuable, ongoing feedback. 

So, what's new at ArtistData.com?

There are many back-end upgrades, including time-zone support to make our timed notifications more relevant, full character support so users all over the world can use their native characters and a ton of smaller bug fixes just to make the site work better.

The biggest and most visible user interface change is the way we organize our features. While previously the features were mashed together on one huge, confusing screen, now they are presented as separate installable applications. You can expect to see this application library grow this year as we introduce more apps that we build, as well as introduce 3rd party applications. This is a major step in our goal to provide artists with a central platform containing a robust set of apps built by a number of different developers.

All of this leads to the biggest change of all for the company and our users: not all apps are free.

For the past 18 months we've been working through our initial beta, adding functionality and helping artists. And we've been doing it all without charging.

Today, we're taking an exciting step that will help us support the growth and development of our platform. Think of us as the local band that's been playing free shows while building a fan base. Now we need to tour, pay for gas, and reach new markets, but we'll need to ask our fans to support us by paying for our shows and merch.

We didn't come to this decision lightly. I've personally spent a large amount of the past year debating the most responsible way of asking working musicians for part of their earnings. I've talked to mentors, industry partners, and most importantly, many many artists. We've conducted surveys and have had hundreds of conversations with ArtistData users.

Our top priority has always been and will continue to be to keep unlimited use of the site's core functionality absolutely free. We do not want to charge artists to sync their basic data across websites. Most advisors thought we were nuts, because it is for this very feature that artists use and love our site. They said giving it away for free was a bad idea. I don't disagree with them, but I also believe that bands should be able to update their network in an efficient way without having to pay.

So we're not charging for our core syncing app. Unlimited updates to as many sites as you want. Free.

What we have done instead, and will continue to do, is build value and enhancements to that core product. Users can choose the enhancements a la carte or upgrade to one of our bundles.

We know going from a free service to a partially paid service is a tough transition, and we're expecting to hear frustration. But we're excited to make this transition because it will just make ArtistData stronger, smarter and more valuable not only for our users but for the music industry as a whole. Just as artists can buy better gear after their fans support them by buying albums and concert tickets, we will be able to build a stronger platform when our users support us. This is a major, exciting step towards providing the entire community with better resources.

We hope you all understand why it's important for ArtistData to take this step, and we also hope you think we've done it in a responsible way.

I'd like to thank everyone for their support through this journey so far. I speak for the whole team when I say it's an honor to be able to serve such a creative, inspirational community.

Speaking of the team, I'd like to personally thank our newest members Brandon and Matt for quickly acclimating and making the new site even better. Also, a huge debt of gratitude goes out to Lincy Peyoli, who for the past two years has worked tirelessly on building ArtistData and is about to take some much deserved time off to welcome her first child into the world. You guys are amazing.

Lots more to come from ArtistData in 2010. For now, go check out the site.

Brenden