How We Helped a US Music Startup Connect 50,000+ Independent Artists with 5M+ Monthly Listeners

We partnered with a US-based music technology startup to build an innovative streaming platform that removes all barriers between artists and listeners. The solution now hosts over 50,000 independent artists, streams 100M+ songs monthly to 5 million listeners, and has become the go-to platform for discovering emerging talent without the friction of mandatory registration or subscription fees.

50,000+

artists onboarded

5M+

monthly active listeners

7-week

MVP launch

Client Introduction

Our client is a US music technology startup founded by former independent musicians who experienced firsthand the challenges of reaching audiences through traditional platforms. They envisioned a world where listeners could discover new music instantly without creating accounts, and where independent artists could upload and share their work without complex contracts or gatekeepers. Operating in a market dominated by subscription-based giants, they needed a technology solution that could handle massive streaming volumes while keeping operational costs sustainable.

Industry: Music Technology / Entertainment
Region: United States (Nationwide)
Company Stage: Series A startup
Primary Users: Independent artists, bands, music listeners, record labels scouts

‍

What We Did

We architected a revolutionary open-access music streaming platform that prioritises simplicity and accessibility for both artists and listeners. The platform features instant streaming capabilities where anyone can discover and play music without registration, removing all friction from the listening experience. We built a streamlined artist portal where musicians can upload tracks in minutes, with automatic encoding, metadata processing, and instant publishing. The system includes intelligent recommendation algorithms that surface emerging artists based on listening patterns, not pay-to-play promotions. We implemented a lightweight player that works seamlessly across all devices, with adaptive bitrate streaming ensuring smooth playback even on slower connections.

How We Did It

Our development began with extensive research into user behavior, discovering that 85% of potential listeners abandon platforms requiring registration. We designed a progressive engagement model where users can start listening immediately and optionally create accounts to save favorites. The backend architecture leveraged Supabase for real-time data synchronization and CDN integration for global music delivery. We built an efficient audio processing pipeline that handles multiple formats, automatically optimizing files for streaming while preserving quality. Throughout development, we partnered with 100 independent artists to refine the upload process, ensuring it was simple enough for non-technical musicians.

Tech Stack & Integrations

Overcoming Challenges

Handling millions of streams without registration: Anonymous session tracking with optional accounts for personalization.
Managing storage for 500TB+ of audio: Intelligent caching with CDN distribution, reducing storage costs by 60%.
Preventing copyright infringement while keeping uploads simple: Audio fingerprinting that checks uploads against a copyright database.
Competing with established discovery algorithms: Community-driven discovery features that prioritize engagement over commercial metrics.

‍

Result & Impact

Within one year, the platform became the preferred destination for independent music discovery. Artists report 10x more plays compared to traditional platforms, with direct fan engagement through comments and shares. The removal of registration barriers increased listener retention by 300%, with users spending average 45 minutes per session discovering new music.

Qualitative Wins

Featured in Rolling Stone as "The Future of Independent Music"
15 artists discovered on platform signed to major labels
Achieved profitability with minimal infrastructure costs
4.8/5 artist satisfaction rating
Became primary platform for 3 major music festivals' discovery

‍

Frequently Asked Questions

How do artists make money without paid subscriptions?

‍Artists can enable optional tipping, sell merchandise directly through their profiles, and access detailed analytics to book shows. We're launching ad-supported monetization that shares 70% of revenue with artists - higher than traditional platforms.

What prevents spam or low-quality uploads?

‍While we maintain low barriers, uploads go through automated quality checks for audio standards and copyright. Community reporting and moderation ensure platform quality, with repeat violators facing upload restrictions.

How does discovery work without user accounts?

‍The platform uses session-based recommendations analyzing current listening patterns. Optional account creation unlocks personalized playlists and following favorite artists. Even anonymous users get relevant recommendations based on their session activity.

Ready to Transform Your Business?

Whether you're disrupting the entertainment industry or building platforms for creators, we have the expertise to create solutions that prioritize user experience while scaling to millions.

Get a Proposal

Learn About Our Capabilities