I think we'll find it comes down to clever marketing. I suspect that this project works because it's a) the first to come off the back of C.K.'s project and b) targeting HN which is usually responsive to innovation. He could probably get some good traction on sites like Reddit right now too. But as soon as we see tens, hundreds of sites like this we'll stop paying attention and need something more new and innovative to get our attention.
Is there a socially-charged music site where independent musicians can load their music into a radio station, and get traction by upvotes? While I'd be hesitant to listen to such a radio station at length it could be a way for more musicians to get their better songs listened to.
When I did this (I actually did it just before Christmas but didn't post until now because I figured no-one would notice if I did it at Christmas) I actually registered the domain mp3busking.com thinking that if this thing worked, then I could provide a directory of similar artists that have very simple pages where you can directly download DRM free mp3 music and easily pay the artist a couple of bucks.
From what I've seen, almost every "indie distribution channel" puts a whole bunch of technology over the top of this that's supposed to make things easier but just sort of acts as a barrier - I really wanted to have this really friction free experience, as close as possible to the process of throwing a couple of bucks in someone's guitar case as possible.
PS: I've never been able to figure out how the hell reddit works. Do you know of a sub-reddit that would be a good place to post this thing? I've tried posting to reddit before but I think I always get flagged because I post into the wrong place or something.
FWIW, I didn't listen to any of the tracks because there was no embedded player. That optional extra "friction" might be useful - at least make it an option.
You could put up 30 second samples and then a zip of four MP3s behind a cheap Gumroad paywall. That might better approximate Louis CK's setup.
Is there a socially-charged music site where independent musicians can load their music into a radio station, and get traction by upvotes? While I'd be hesitant to listen to such a radio station at length it could be a way for more musicians to get their better songs listened to.