Ryan Star and old friend Jace Kay came up with the idea for a customizable streaming radio station while splitting the bill at dinner. Kay became acutely aware of the disconnect between Star’s success and his bank account. So they started throwing around ideas. Some of Star’s friends, such as musician Stevie Van Zandt, were programming their own Sirius XM radio stations and speaking directly to their fans on a daily basis. Always interested in pirate radio, the two created a way for any artist to broadcast directly from their mobile phone to get more streams and bigger royalty checks.
And so Stationhead was born. An iOS app (currently being developed for Android) that allows any Spotify user to set up their own, personally curated, 24/7, radio station that anyone around the world can tune into, with the bonus of all those listeners counting as individual streams.
Stationhead quickly became an Indiehitmaker featured Dropkick Release Plan partner after the two founders were brought together by a mutual friend in the industry. Soon after, they were featured on a fan engagement and merch panel at Music Biz 2017 where Stationhead was formally announced to the industry.
For Ryan Star, the app is perhaps too much fun and sort of addicting, “It really gives you the ability to step into the next arena of fan engagement.” With features like a built in chat room for every station, and the ability to speak over the music at anytime like a real radio DJ, Stationhead is wildly innovative and interactive. Star is optimistic not only about his app, but the future of the industry and Stationhead’s place within it. “I got signed as a musician when Napster came out, so my entrance to the music business was basically ‘you just got here too late, kid’. They weren’t wrong, but I feel this year is the first time we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with streaming.”
“We believe Station head is one of the smartest and most efficient ways to genuinely engage your fans and get paid.” notes Bram “which is why they are one of our featured Dropkick Release Plan Partners.” Join Indiehitmaker today and become a Dropkick artist to make both your sales and streams count.
IHM is reporting all of Bob’s direct-to-fan sales including online mail order & digital download, keeping him on the charts for the last six weeks. Make your online sales count on Billboard and more charts, join IHM today.
Stephen Edwards remains on multiple charts by reporting direct-to-fan sales driven by his documentary airing on PBS stations across the country, social media promotions & digital music marketing.
