NYT: Artists Find Backers as Labels Wane

[emor]

"There was a time when most aspiring musicians had the same dream: to sign a deal with a major record label.
"Now, with the structure of the music business shifting radically, some industry iconoclasts are sidestepping the music giants and inventing new ways for artists to make and market their music — without ever signing a traditional recording contract."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/22/te..._r=1&ref=music

[Ric5]

For me a good paying day job supports my music hobby.

[JT Bass]

Interesting, thanks for posting. It is very much a DIY environment now, but I really think that's to the local musician's advantage. For relatively little cost you can manage your own booking, recording, producing, distribution... everything, really. No more grinding away night after night hoping to 'get found'. As the article says though, you need 'considerable entreprenurial energy.' Its tough to make time to even maintain the band's website these days...