Hot Topic Launches Online Music Site

New York City Hot Topic announced Wednesday that it has launched ShockHound, an online music site offering millions of MP3s, band merchandise, music videos, and editorial content.

The new site offers tracks from major record labels, like Universal Music Group, Sony BMG, Warner Music Group, and EMI Music, as well as independent labels, according to Hot Topic. The company says that artists will be able to upload and sell their own music directly to users without requiring a record label to act as the broker between ShockHound and the artist.

"Our goal was to create an authentic, online experience of music discovery," says Betsy McLaughlin, CEO of Hot Topic. "A place where fellow music lovers can come together and explore, share their likes and dislikes, read the latest music news, and enjoy exclusive content on their favorite artists."

One of the unique features ShockHound will offer is its editorial section. The site will feature reviews, music news, interviews, original programming, and music videos that are controlled by the editorial team on the site.

Songs retail for 99? from the new service and can be downloaded on the ShockHound page.