By Craig Zammit

SYDNEY: Destra and JB Hi-Fi have joined together to announce the launch of JB Hi-Fi’s new digital music store, www.jbhifimusic.com.au, featuring over 1.5 million tracks from some of the worlds largest independent labels including Beggars Banquet and V2.

To complement the new web site, JB Hi-Fi will also launch a music gift card, available online at www.jbhifimusic.com.au or through any of JB-Hi-Fi’s 62 stores nationwide.

The music vouchers will be priced at $10, $20 and $50, and will allow users access to over 1.5 million tracks from over 84,000 artists with individual tracks starting at $1.69 and albums starting at $16.95.

“The launch of www.jbhifimusic.com.au will enable us to offer our customers the ultimate in choice, whether they prefer to purchase their music vouchers in-store or on-line, coupled with one of Australia’s largest independent music catalogues,” said JB Hi-Fi marketing director, Scott Browning.

“The mp3 files available on the site will enable our customers to download to their preferred mp3 player. You are in control of your digital music catalogue and how you to choose to enjoy that music.”

Destra CEO, Domenic Carosa believes Destra is at the forefront of delivering Australian consumers digital music.

“We are committed to breaking down the barriers that restrict the download and playback of music from the internet, and offer our customers power over their own listening experience. The catalogue of mp3 files offered on the JB Hi-Fi site is at last giving choice to the online music consumer in Australia.

“JB Hi-Fi’s customers will have access to over 84,000 different artists across all music genres. The new music vouchers will be the perfect Christmas gift for anyone with an mp3 player, offering them the chance to expand their digital music catalogue in their own time.”

Destra teamed up with Harvey Norman earlier this year to launch the channelgo.com.au music download site and was originally launched in 2003 as the first company in Australia to provide legal digital music downloads.