RootMusic gets $16M for music sharing/discovery

Creator of Facebook app BandPage gets support from GGV Capital

RootMusic, creator of the Facebook music sharing and discovery app BandPage, on Wednesday announced the close of its $16 million Series B round, led by GGV Capital, with help from new investor Northgate Capital and existing investor Mohr Davidow Ventures.  The company previously raised a $2.3 million Series A round, plus an undisclosed amount of seed funding, for a total of more than $18.3 million raised to date.

Launched nearly a year and a half ago, BandPage allows bands and musicians to share their music with listeners without having to direct users out of Facebook.  Fans can click on a song, listen to it on the spot, and then instantly share it with friends who can listen right from their news feed.  Users can also check out band videos, photos, events and contests, and can buy the band’s merchandise.  The only downside is that users who want to shop are redirected to the band’s/musician’s website, instead of being able to purchase items directly within Facebook.

BandPage currently supports 250,000 bands and musicians around the world, including top names like Rihanna, Katy Perry, Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, and Kanye West, among others.  The app draws more than 30 million monthly active users, up nearly ten-fold from January 2011, making it the number one music app on Facebook and the sixth most visited Facebook app overall.

"With its emphasis on bands, RootMusic understands that a direct connection to fans is critical as social networks and music distribution evolve," said Hany Nada of GGV Capital, in a statement. "J [Sider, CEO] was recently named to Billboard Magazine's '30 Most Influential People in Music Under 30' and has put together an extremely talented team that is ahead of the curve on how technology is shaping the dynamics for musicians online."

Hany Nada will join Bill Ericson from Mohr Davidow, Larry Marcus, and Robert Kavner on RootMusic’s board of directors.

The company plans to use the new funds to increase its headcount and integrate with strategic partners.