Unlock Free Exposure: Radio Play for Small Indie Musicians

What is Rare Files Radio?

Rare Files Radio is a 24/7 live internet radio station that streams a diverse mix of music, live talk segments, artist interviews, podcasts, and community-driven content. Unlike algorithm-driven playlists, our station is curated with real human input, showcasing user-based submissions alongside trending tracks. We broadcast to a global audience, generating authentic streams backed by real listeners tuning in during high-traffic periods throughout the day.

Our station is fully licensed through major Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) and collectives, including ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR, AllTrack, SOMEXFON, EMMAC/SACM, SOCAN, Re:Sound, PPL, and PRS for Music. This ensures that all copyrighted music played on Rare Files Radio is legally streamed, with royalties meticulously tracked and reported through SoundExchange, the sole organization in the U.S. authorized to collect and distribute digital performance royalties for sound recordings

Free Submissions, Forever.

Upload your tracks to get heard by our DJs and put into our 24/7 live radio rotation. Visit our "Submit Music" section for submission instructons.

How Do Musicians Earn Money from Rare Files Radio?

When your music is played on Rare Files Radio, it generates digital performance royalties for both the sound recording (the actual recording you hear) and, in some cases, the underlying musical composition (the song’s written notes and lyrics). Here’s a breakdown of how you earn money and the organizations involved:

1. Digital Performance Royalties for Sound Recordings (via SoundExchange)

Rare Files Radio is a non-interactive streaming service, meaning listeners cannot choose specific songs on demand (similar to SiriusXM or Pandora’s radio feature). This qualifies our streams for digital performance royalties under U.S. copyright law (sections 112 and 114). SoundExchange collects these royalties from us and distributes them to:

• Featured Artists (Performers): The named artists on the track (e.g., the lead vocalist or band).

• Sound Recording Copyright Owners: Typically the record label or, for independent artists, the musician who owns the master recording.

• Non-Featured Artists: Session musicians or background vocalists, paid through organizations like AFM & SAG-AFTRA.

  
  

For example, if your song is played 100 times on Rare Files Radio, each play generates a small royalty (rates are set by the Copyright Royalty Board). These royalties add up over time, especially with our 24/7 rotation and weekly showcases. To collect these earnings, you must register with SoundExchange and claim your recordings (more on this below).

2. Performance Royalties for Musical Compositions (via PROs)

The underlying musical composition (the song’s lyrics and melody) generates public performance royalties, which are collected by PROs like ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, or GMR. Rare Files Radio’s licensing agreements with these organizations ensure that songwriters and publishers are compensated when their compositions are played.

• If you’re a songwriter or publisher, you should be registered with a PRO to collect these royalties.

• If you’re both the performer and the songwriter, you can earn both SoundExchange royalties (for the recording) and PRO royalties (for the composition).

  
  

Why Rare Files Radio is a Game-Changer for Independent Artists

Unlike many promotion platforms, Rare Files Radio offers independent musicians a low-barrier entry to a professional, licensed broadcasting environment. You don’t need a record deal or a massive following to get airplay. Our community-driven submission process allows you to:

• Submit multiple tracks for consideration, increasing your chances of frequent plays.

• Benefit from our weekly live segments, including new music showcases, artist interviews, and holiday streams, which attract high listener engagement.

• Gain exposure through our talk shows, podcasts, and commercials, which keep listeners tuned in and boost stream counts.

• Earn royalties that are fully tracked and reported, ensuring you’re paid for every play.

  
  

This combination of accessibility, exposure, and legitimate royalty tracking makes Rare Files Radio a powerful tool for building your career.