Computerworld

Sounds chain plays online publisher

National music chain Sounds has gone into the publishing game with plans for a music magazine to be published both online and in print form.

National music chain Sounds has gone into the publishing game with plans for a music magazine to be published both online and in print form.

The company touched on its purchase of Lava magazine at the launch of Sounds Online last month, and this week confirmed 'Selector' as the name of a magazine to be published by the former Lava team from March. Lava editor Steve Adams takes the helm of the new publication.

In launching its free own magazine title, Sounds is following the example of Real Groovy Records - whose successful Real Groove is, ironically, rumoured to be about to become a paid title.

Sounds is also promising that by the time Selector appears online, more than half a million titles will have been added to the site's catalogue - which was somewhat thin at launch. The company is also promising eight online radio stations, an online record label and an "MP3 engine".

Sounds says that in its first week of trading the site attracted 36,000 page views and sales "300% above expectations".