Siberry embraces the 'Net

By DAVID MOORE --

TORONTO -- Canadian singer Jane Siberry is the type of artist who wants to do things her own, albeit quirky, way. The acclaimed yet notoriously uncommercial Siberry is therefore attempting to get music and information to her fans via her own record label and web site.

"I have a lot more work that I do that never gets out there," said Siberry Friday from her Toronto office, "It just didn't seem appropriate anymore to be on a big label."

Siberry has created her own label, Sheeba Records, with the goal of creating the kinds of records which major labels are reluctant to produce. Sheeba boasts that it will make "All things Siberry" available to the world via the it's web site (www.sheeba.ca).

"You can reach people (on the Internet) without a lot of costly advertising. A lot of artists are willing to reach out and make cheaper records, and maybe reach fewer people, but do it the way they think it should be done."

The site, which was designed in large part by Siberry herself, will try to use the internet to tap a smaller, more specific base of fans. It will launch Saturday, a date which Siberry said was carefully considered. "All our dates are aligned with the heavens. Our release for Teenager (her newest album) is on the first quarter of the moon. The opening of the web site was determined astrologically."

In a virtually unprecedented move, Siberry's new album will be made available exclusively through her web site or by mail order on June 23 -- it won't be available in stores at all. To get it, fans must go to her merchandise page where Siberry plans to make all sorts of Siberry-related items available.

A major record label typically provides a great deal of publicity and distribution services to its artists, therefore Sheeba will attempt to use its web site to fulfill those functions.

The Green Room will allow media and fans to download press releases, full interviews, photos and album covers as well as provide a direct line to Jane. Up to the minute tour dates will be made available on a regular basis as well as lyric pages and discographies. Users can also have their names put on a mailing list for Siberry's Sibline newsletter for a small fee.

None of this is unusual for a recording artist in the information age, however Siberry hopes to take it a step further. "Anyone starting a business naturally thinks of starting a home page but I'm trying to create an accessible channel to what I do, " said Siberry.

One difference from a typical artist's web site is the addition of a Children's Room. "There's lots of dark forces out there these days trying to pull people down. I have lots of concerns about kids -- worries." In keeping with these concerns, Siberry will provide stories for them to read and games to play. And that's not all. "They get a free photo if they send me Mother Earth currency, which means a little leaf or a twig or a pebble."

Like all internet projects, Sheeba Records plans to let its site change and evolve to let people get what they want. "I'm sure the Green Room will get suggestions from media right away as to how it serves them or doesn't," said Siberry. Although the viability of the concept is unknown, Siberry is excited by the opportunity.

"I'm thrilled. I think label is going to do really well. Whether this label succeeds or fails, my main goal is to be in alignment with the universe."