With Sony/BMG and Warner Bros. recently getting hit with payola lawsuits, more music being purchased digitally, and more new artists becoming hip to the fact that they can survive on their own without “borrowing” money from a major label, the music industry is becoming more indie than ever. Distribution companies such as Redeye are allowing independent artists and indie labels the option of using channels that were previously reserved for the majors. And artists are able to sell their own CD’s online and digitally, as well as through traditional touring….and realizing that they can make and KEEP all or most of the proceeds. No more concern about getting dropped or about the spending the next five years paying a major label all the recoupable expense associated with breaking a new band.
And when the war against payola reaches the radio programmers, it could be the end of FM radio as we know it. Which begs the question: will anyone care? I know I won’t. And once again the best artists are the ones who will get noticed.
I’d like to personally thank all the labels out there for sending us our music free of charge in return for a review and a pat on the back.
And the occasional rootkit spyware virus. Your computer can never be too stable.
Viva Limewire!
From my Best of 2005 article (soon to be published on BE):
“Thanks to the internet, I see the music business transforming from a push system (big record labels marketing what they feel will sell) to a pull system (consumers picking and choosing with more information, better access and greater variety). Myspace.com has become a powerful marketing tool for established artists as well as up and coming bands, while music blogs and podcasts are quickly becoming the new word of mouth. It’s never been easier to find good music.”
I love it!