Syntax Creative has added Hoopla Digital to its distribution network, bringing music from its independent label roster to participating public libraries.
Beginning this month, patrons whose libraries offer Hoopla can borrow and stream Syntax-distributed albums with a valid library card. The catalog spans gospel, hip-hop, bluegrass, children’s music and other genres represented by the Nashville-based distributor.
Hoopla offers music alongside e-books, audiobooks, comics, movies and television programs. Unlike many traditional digital lending systems, Hoopla generally allows patrons to borrow available titles immediately without waiting for another user to return a digital copy.
Another Route to Music Discovery
The Syntax Creative Hoopla partnership gives independent artists another route to listeners beyond subscription services and digital stores. It also places their music inside a platform where someone may arrive looking for a book or movie and leave with an album.
“Hoopla makes it easy for people to hear the music we believe in,” Syntax Creative CEO Timothy Trudeau said. “If you have a library card, you can discover every artist we stand behind.”
The deal also expands the independent music available to participating library systems.
“At Hoopla, we’re committed to helping libraries connect their communities with meaningful content,” Catherine Zappa, vice president of digital acquisitions at Hoopla Digital, said. “Partnering with Syntax allows us to bring even more independent music to our users.”
For Syntax Creative, Hoopla adds a different kind of storefront to a distribution network that already reaches conventional streaming and download services. The company has continued adding specialty platforms as well, giving its labels more ways to reach listeners with different habits and priorities.
That strategy also reflects a broader reality of digital music distribution. Discovery does not happen in one place. A listener may find an artist through a playlist, radio station, social post, high-resolution music service or, in this case, a public library.
Hoopla operates as a service of Midwest Tape and works with participating library systems. Individual libraries may set their own borrowing limits, and available titles can vary.
Listeners can check whether their library offers Hoopla and browse its digital catalog through the Hoopla website or mobile app.