oh.. yes I must also contemplate on giving away more music like I use to instead of focusing on money. Yet aren’t stars all millionaires? (giggles) perhaps we are, perhaps we are in some other powerful ways. Creative urges may they come and go but the music industry will n e v e r c h a n g e its prime reason for existing. May they prosper well.

Zeeza Love

We are an independent record label not a big bad corporation out to sue you for file sharing, we WANT you to spread our music around.

With such an overcrowded market place giving away your music is essential in my opinion. The biggest problem for emerging indie artists today is obscurity, not piracy. To find out more listen to The Antiqcool Podcast .

http://antiqcool.podbean.com/2010/01/22/the-antiqcool-podcast-episode-1-how-can-you-be-a-part-of-our-success/

That’s true, then there are some people like me who after hearing the full song, and enjoying it, won’t mind spending 99 cents to download it. Typically when I find such a band, their music is not available on itunes.com or amazon.com. They just have their music on myspace without a download option. And since myspace gives me a headache for the most part, I rarely go back to listen to it after awhile. This is similar experience to the first scenario you mentioned

In any case I think making the music available for download is important, making it free is a good promotional tool for new artist. But I think perhaps it’s possible for fan give something for it ? Perhaps signing up for a mailing list on their site so they can download it may be a solution.

Here’s another scenario for you, suppose you run a real independent label. The focus of the signed artist is to make great music, your focus is to market it then monetize it. The independent label has more money then most aspiring artist to market it so the exposure is greater. The exposure is not great compared to the exposure provided by a major or independent under a major label, what would you do ?
My solution would be to give some songs away and sell others.
The important here is signing an artist that can produce more than one good song.

In the long run, I think it’s possible to sell music online. It will involve providing plenty of quality content for one low price directly to the fans.

On the other hand, the reality is most people want music for free – especially new bands they’ve never heard of.

I say when you’re just starting out, its more important to spread your music to as many listeners as possible and worry about selling your music later.

As a new artist with no fans, listeners or open ears – earning money is NOT your first option, 2nd or 3rd. In fact that shouldn’t even be on your mind. Your goal should be getting heard!

That involves performing in public, shopping your demo around to anyone who’s willing to lend an ear, making your rounds across the net (social networking sites, blogs, etc.)

That is your first test, if you can gain a strong following – then that should give you the green light that you can make it in the music industry. Your next move has to be trying to score a viable manager. They have the ins and outs to put you under the spotlight. Once a manager sees how strong of a following you have, he will want to invest in you.

Execs are only concerned with the big bucks. If you don’t have people who believe in your work, why should they waste and damage their reputation with an unproven client. So before you approach any manager, make sure you have your fans to back you up!

As an artist, you’re main concern should be the music itself – all legal and press matters should be handled by the pros. You do not want to juggle the executive side of things while still doing your OWN music. Even if your manager is cutting a chunk of the check.

AT LEAST YOU’LL HAVE A CHECK!

Only then will you ever be able to sell your music.

We all have to start somewhere and if you really are THAT artist then your music will only get better with time. Hence, you’re old music will feel novice compared to your future works.

Hope the bit of insight helps someone in need!

- MKS

http://mashable.com/2009/01/25/band-website-displays-copyright-claim-from-its-own-label/

Death Cab’s label pulls a youtube video off of Death Cab’s website. Talk about shooting your own artist’s web promotion efforts in the foot.

Yeah, I wanna make a living, but…not the way the RIAA wants me to.

I used to be in a band signed to a major back in the 90′s and I would never go back to that life.

People have to get comfortable with what I kind of jokingly refer to as the pusher business model. In other words, you give a sample or a song for free, hope that you make them an addict and that they come back with cash if they want more.

Either way, the genie is out of the bottle and we have to change the business models. There’s no going back.