MySpace Music Gets A Major Upgrade

Artist Dashboard

Launched in beta, the MySpace Artist Dashboard is a free and offers a peak at detailed analytics of an artist's content within both MySpace and iLike. Functionality includes:

Additionally, MySpace Music users can now purchase and download music on iTunes in addition to Amazon MP3, and MP3 ringtones via Jamster.

MySpace Music As An Artist Services Hub?

Is it me or doesn't this sound like something Ian at Topspin, Patrick at Nimbit or Panos at Sonicbids would say?

“Whether you're a small town garage band, an emerging indie, or a well-established act, our ultimate goal is to provide the right mix of tools and real time data to help you gain a deep understanding of who your fans are and how best to reach them,” said Courtney Holt, President of MySpace Music. “We're committed to providing the most comprehensive ecosystem of services for artists in an effort to deepen their connection with the most important influencers – their fans.”

I've watched Courtney Holt up close at places like MIDEM and the New Music Seminar just enough to believe that he means it when he says that he wants to help artists. But will his big bad corporate bosses let him deliver? Do they really see what Courtney appears to: music, particularly indie and d.i.y. music, is what attracts users to MySpace and keeps them there.