Microsoft to Release Free Music on Xbox Live

New Ignition feature will focus on promoting up-and-coming acts through free music and video downloads.

Today's wired/wireless world offers us a fascinating array of entertainment choices, and has made it so that radio is no longer the primary means with which we discover new music, as it was 30, 20, or even just 10 years ago. Microsoft is now offering yet another method of discovering new acts through their unveiling of Ignition, a program that gives much needed exposure to new musical acts.

"The Ignition program is designed to help artists connect with a substantial consumer audience," said Christina Calio, director of Music Marketing for Zune. "Consumers are looking for ways to find new music, and Ignition helps connect artists with potential new fans by giving them multiple opportunities to listen to, watch or read about the artist across Microsoft's online platforms."

This program will focus on the release of new, downloadable music and music-related content created by cutting edge artists on the verge of worldwide success. The first group to debut on the Ignition program's initial month of service is the U.K. band Maximo Park, who have attained recent notoriety in their native England through their latest album, Our Earthly Pleasures.

Although the majority of Ignition's content will be featured predominantly on Microsoft's Zune service, video downloads will also be available on the Xbox Live Marketplace. For instance, Maximo Park's video of their song Our Velocity has been made into a free download for connected Xbox owners all throughout the month of June. Assuredly, more new artists will be announced in the coming months.

For more computer gaming news, visit GamePro. Story copyright © 2007 IDG Entertainment. All rights reserved.

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