One of the more interesting points the authors make is that the independent musicians should consider focusing on niche media, markets, and websites when trying to get their music heard and publicized. This means that while your concept album about a small-town necrophiliac who was just elected county coroner might get ignored on iTunes, it might find a dedicated — if demented and incredibly disturbed — following if targeted to a specific Internet audience. As a real life, and non-offensive example, the authors describe how a song they wrote about the movie Star Wars led to a video mash-up that received over 15,000 plays at the movie’s official website.
An underlying argument that runs throughout the book is that musicians do not need a record label to cultivate a loyal fan base. Certainly the authors’ success with their own band supports this assertion. However, it should also be noted that the authors have a professional background that is likely far stronger than that of other musicians: Chertkow is an IT professional in a Fortune 100 company, and Feehan is a practicing attorney. This combination of tech and legal savvy is probably not the norm for independent musicians; many of the ones I’ve met over the years have a hard enough time remembering to put on deodorant in the morning. For some musicians, the support of a record label might be a welcome avenue for getting their music distributed and concerts booked; it should also be noted that today’s “best known” indie bands are signed to labels.
Despite a few other minor flaws -- the book doesn’t contain an index and the authors plug the book’s website many, many times -- The Indie Band Survival Guide is a complete and comprehensive guide that can benefit all independent musicians.
Article comments
1 - Douglas Mays
hhhmmm....lots to say about this. so much of what you say is surely applicable in perspective of situation.
example, not needing a label to cultivate a loyal fanbase. Very true. Matter of fact you must develope some form of foundational loyal fanbase in order for the majors to take a look at ya. It is all part of the corporate check list of 'do we sign these guys?"
Ugh! It is such a mess out there in musicland. Not many even being signed right now. this book is timely as things are really pointing to everybody taking that grass roots indy approach to get to the next level.
www.myspace.com/newsoulenterprises might give a form of point of view.
Isn't that the way it is suppossed to be? Even when one is on a major?
blah, blah, blah
DM