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It sounds like a lot of work and it is. But you'll have complete artistic control, plus 100% control over your finances. If you have the drive, the passion, the patience and a willingness to learn, you can do it. It goes without saying, you have to have the chops.
Big record labels used to be the only game in town. But even in their heyday, it was a one in a million shot to get signed. Now it's all about the indies (independent record labels). Indie labels are not just mini versions of major labels. There is a whole different attitude that honors the music and the musicians, not the quarterly corporate profit report.
Indies are often tiny, one man (or woman) operations. Do you have a band? Are you a solo singer/songwriter? Either way, when you start a label, you will perform all the essential functions of a traditional major label, and gear them to your specific needs. Much of this happens on the web.
an indie manifesto
articles
- an open letter from Ani DiFranco
- Inspiration from the pioneering indie artist.
What's Wrong with American Idol?
- What's Wrong with American Idol?
- Read Bob Baker's updated manifesto about the 'talent discovery myth,' the 'Danger of waiting for your 'Big Break' and more.
food for thought
- Checklist for Starting Your Own Label
- Here is the overview.
- 10 Excuses for not having your own label
- Are these valid reasons to procrastinate?
- Advantages of starting a record label
- This article starts with the advantages and goes on to summarize all the steps you will take, in one extended page.
- 10 Tips on Promoting Your Music
- Derek Sivers, founder of CD Baby, crusader for the indie artist.
- using gigs as a promotion tool
- If you play it right, you can get at least 6 benefits from gigging, in addition to the kicks and the cash.
- I'd rather be networking than not working
- The fine art of networking by Kenny Kerner. Networking for musicians: defined and demystified.
- cover songs get your music downloaded
- more unique insights and ideas from Derek Sivers
- Start a Label and Build an Empire
- Part One.
- Berklee Alumni Interview
- Derek Sivers gives 3 amazing examples from his own life that exemplify the idea that you never know where your next "lucky" break is coming from.
- step by step instructions
- from Heraty Law in New York, NY
nuts and bolts
- 410,000 indie musicians can't be wrong
- An Introductory Mechanic's Guide to Putting Out Records, Cassettes and CDs, official web version. Free.
- Guerilla Music Marketing Handbook
- 201 self-promotion ideas for songwriters, musicians and bands.
- Songwriter's Tip Jar
- Songwriters and musicians trade tips on this web forum. This sub-forum focuses on the business side of things.
- Software that manages all your music biz details
- Indie Band Manager is an affordable, all-in-one database software for managing tours, venues, fan email, press, contracts, merch sales and inventory.
- Indie Bible
- The definitive source guide for independent musicians.
- The new rules of PR
- a free ebook
- Magnatune lets your audience try before they buy
- Magnatune.com offers your fans a chance to listen to your entire song before buying. Then it gives you, the artist, 50% of the money it collects.
- CD Baby
- THE place to sell your CDs online. There may be other places to promote and sell CDs and digital music, but start with CD Baby.
- epicenter of the indie world
- CD Baby's main talking points. Take an old style major label. Do the opposite. Refreshing.
- MySpace
- MySpace is an online social and music network. You get a free web page on which to talk about your music, post numerous photos of yourself or your band, post your gig calendar, your CD cover, a blog, your mp3s and your music video. Most importantly you link to your friends and fans and their friends and so on. You can also send event invitations (come to my gig).
- the web's first rock & roll success?
- The Arctic Monkeys shows how an indie band can surpass the marketing power of a major label, by giving away CDs, using the web, live shows and encouraging file sharing.
required reading
books
Start and Run Your Own Record Label (Start & Run Your Own Record Label)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/22/2009) 
the future of music blog
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byadditional reading
books
The Future of Music: Manifesto for the Digital Music Revolution (Berklee Press)
Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 12/22/2009)
by Daniel_David_Johnson
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