StreetVoice

StreetVoice (Chinese: 街聲) is a free online music streaming and social networking platform based on user-generated content (UGC), operated by Neutron Innovation. It provides independent musicians with a space to share and publish their work while also enabling social interaction between artists and fans. Founded in Taipei in 2006 by Chang Pei-jen, StreetVoice has become a common platform for many Mandarin-speaking independent and amateur musicians to release their music and demos, taking advantage of its niche audience reach and free promotional resources.^[1]

StreetVoice 街聲
Developer	StreetVoice International Ltd.
Operating system	Windows, Mac OS X, Windows Phone, iOS, Android
Available in	Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese English
Type	Music streaming service
License	Proprietary
Website	www.streetvoice.com

StreetVoice is a Taiwanese freemium online music content service platform that provides users with free access to music. Registered members are able to upload information, data, text, music, audio, photos, images, and other materials as “member content.”^[2] As of 2017, the platform had approximately 800,000 members and more than 170,000 original songs available.^[3]

In addition, StreetVoice operates a subsidiary in Beijing, Neutron Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., which is responsible for managing its business in mainland China.

History

In 1995, Chang Pei-jen founded Magic Stone Records, which went on to launch artists such as Wu Bai, Cheer Chen, Chang Chen-yue, Faith Yang, and MC HotDog. However, beginning in 1998, the traditional record industry was severely impacted by digitalization, and sales continued to decline. Magic Stone Records ceased operations in 2002.

In 2005, Chang established Neutron Innovation, creating a youth entrepreneurship platform^[4] with the goal of building a complete ecosystem for a new generation of music creators—allowing music to take root in everyday life, grow through live performance, and spread through media.^[5]

In 2005, Chang Pei-jen began preparations for StreetVoice, which officially launched in 2006. That same year, StreetVoice organized the Taike Rock Carnival in Taichung, holding a band selection event to recruit new groups and bring their works onto the platform. In 2006, Chang also hosted the first Simple Life Festival at Huashan 1914 Creative Park in Taipei, inviting youth-oriented handmade brands to set up stalls, thereby extending the platform's presence beyond the digital space.^[6] In its early years, the StreetVoice website featured a blog function that allowed users to publish written works and image-based content;^[7] However, following a 2016 redesign, these features were formally removed, and the service was refocused exclusively on sharing original music creations.

StreetVoice frequently organizes various music selection and talent showcase events. These include long-term collaborations with university clubs, such as the Fu Jen Catholic University Ching Yun Award, as well as commercial partnerships like the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Unplugged Contest. StreetVoice has also cooperated with the Hohaiyan Rock Festival to conduct performer selection.

In 2010, Chang Pei-jen approached Wu Po-tsang, founder of the ticketing platform iNDIEVOX, as the two shared a common vision for promoting independent music. In 2011, StreetVoice invested in and acquired iNDIEVOX, strengthening its business in live performance ticketing and MP3 downloads, with Wu subsequently serving as deputy general manager of StreetVoice. However, in 2016, Wu resigned due to differing views following a shift in the company's strategic direction.^[8]

Music content

StreetVoice primarily focuses on original and independent music content.^[9] In Taiwan, many independent bands and singer-songwriters choose StreetVoice as a platform for sharing their creations. Several artists who later entered the mainstream market—such as Lala Hsu, William Wei, and Hsieh Ho-hsien—were longtime members of the site.^[10]

Numerous musicians and groups recognized by the Golden Melody Awards and Golden Indie Music Awards have also used StreetVoice either to publish their works or as a promotional resource to reach audiences interested in non-mainstream music. Early adopters included Denise Ho, MJ116, Sodagreen, 1976, Wonfu, and Chthonic. Other acts such as Chang Chen-yue, HUSH, Soft Lipa, Mary See the Future, Sorry Youth, No Party for Cao Dong, and Your Woman Sleep With Others remain active on the platform.^[11][12]

StreetVoice has also been used by musicians who rose to fame through talent shows, including Shazi & Baichi and Yo Lee.^[13]

In addition, recording artists such as Shen Ning-er and Hsu Shi-guang, as well as labels like KAO!INC. and Dwagie, have uploaded selections of their works to the site for streaming as a form of promotion.^[14]

Owing to its roots in Taike Rock and the Magic Stone Records background, StreetVoice began promoting hip hop music at an early stage. As a result, it became a major platform for Taiwanese hip hop creators [1], including artists such as Dwagie, MJ116, Kumachan, and GorDoN.^[15]

The music content on StreetVoice is categorized in a manner similar to that of a physical record store, organized by genre. When uploading, members may select the genre classification for their works. In 2018, StreetVoice separated Dance and Electronic into distinct categories, bringing the total to 20 genre classifications. The platform also hosts music released under Creative Commons licenses.^[16]

Cultural impact

Beyond its role as a music platform, StreetVoice has also engaged in a wide range of cultural initiatives. Since 2006, it has organized the Simple Life Festival, which began in Taipei and has since expanded to other cities. In 2009, it launched The Next Big Thing (大團誕生), a monthly showcase held at the live house Legacy Taipei, and in 2013 introduced The Next Big Thing: Witness the Band (見證大團), a live performance video series.

In 2014, StreetVoice established Blow (吹音樂), the first Mandarin-language online media outlet dedicated exclusively to independent music.^[17] That same year, it also hosted the inaugural StreetVoice Park Park Carnival at Taipei Expo Park, where selected musicians formed bands to perform. The event attracted more than 100 participating groups and featured unique cross-genre collaborations, such as EggPlantEgg performing with Chen Ping-wei.^[18]

In 2016, Chang Pei-jen stated that over the past decade he had sought to lay the groundwork for a natural and complete ecosystem in which creativity could take root in everyday life. He explained that the StreetVoice website provided young music creators with a space for sharing and growth, while Legacy Taipei offered opportunities for greater visibility. Meanwhile, Good Chiu's (好丘), located in Taipei's Four Four South Village, brought together creative works and hosted weekend markets to enable direct interaction with consumers and audiences.^[19][20]