Listen.com to list little-known artists

Struggling musicians looking to hit it big may get a chance for some wide exposure online under a deal announced today between the Internet Underground Music Archive and Listen.com.

The Internet Underground Music Archive (IUMA) allows emerging artists to design six- to eight-page Web sites featuring biographical information, news, band member photos, tour dates, images, artwork, songs and lyrics.

Once an artist designs a Web site, IUMA will deliver the musician's information to Listen.com for editorial review, categorization and inclusion in the Listen.com directory.

Audio will be available in streaming RealAudio or the MP3 download format, IUMA said.

"It gives independent artists a chance to be put up next to the big names," said Sean Garrett, spokesman for San Francisco-based Listen.com. "It gives them a chance to be discovered."

The Net has proven a fertile ground for independent artists and smaller record labels searching for a less-expensive means of distributing their work. IUMA and the Ultimate Band List, another online music archive, have garnered loyal followings since they came online several years ago.

In June, IUMA merged with EMusic.com. Both are based in Redwood City, Calif.