<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-07-27</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001095079</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ARTISTDIRECT INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ARTD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001334537</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HERRERA OCTAVIO</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>13428 MAXELLA AVE. #742</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MARINA DEL REY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90292</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Warrant (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>1.55</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>119758</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Convertible Note</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>1.55</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-07-27</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-07-27</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Exercisability Date will be any time or times on or after the date ARTISTdirect, Inc. files a Certificate of Amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation increasing its authorized number of shares of common stock from 15,000,000 to 36,000,000.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Expiration Date means the date that is sixty (60) months after July 27, 2005.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The Aggregate Principal Amount of Notes is $2,250,000 and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion shall be determined by dividing the portion of the Note by $1.55, subject to certain adjustments as set forth in that certain Securities Purchase Agreement dated July 27, 2005 by ARTISTdirect, Inc. and the purchasers set forth on the signature page therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Octavio Herrera</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-08-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
