SanDisk Supporting Indie Music With New Fuze Player
By Bryan Munson

New York, NY (March 25, 2008) – In association with the launch of its new Sansa Fuze music player, SanDisk is debuting a program called Sansa Sessions that will highlight DRM-free, independent music. 

The skinny: when consumers purchase a new Fuze, they are privy to an offer that gives them access to a microSD card with 50 pre-loaded songs from new and emerging artists; songs that, because they are DRM-free, are easy to share. According to Digital Trends, “more than 50 tracks have been licensed for the sampler by LA-based NonStop Riot; the songs represent a cross-section of hip-hop, rock, and rap music tracks and videos from more than 30 music labels, including Nada Surf, Of Montreal, The Coup, and Magnet.  SanDisk says it's working with NonStop Riot to develop new ways to distribute music directly on devices and memory cards.”

From the Sansa Fuze website:

…”Listen, watch and play all day with 24 hours of battery life and room for up to 2000 songs. The new Sansa Fuze from SanDisk is your portable music machine with 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB of storage. Watch your favorite video clips on the Sansa Fuze’s 1.9" color screen. Jam to FM radio with 40 preset stations, play with the built-in voice recorder, and share your photos wherever you go. Choose from five electric colors: blue, red, pink, black or silver. Incredible battery life in a 0.3" thin device - the Sansa Fuze marks the next wave of music & video players.”


Assuming the program sticks and they continue creating more Sansa Sessions, this is a great way for independent artists to get their music out.  While SanDisk faces some stiff competition from the other digital device makers out there, the Sansa Sessions is a great incentive for curious music fans to whet their appetites for new tunes.  The site is down at the moment, but take a minute and make a note to get over to NonStop Riot and see what’s up.