Future of Music Coalition

Threv here with a quite useful site for independent musicians.

Check out The Future of Music Coalition. Their site contains many articles, videos, and resources for the modern indepedent musician, covering touring, marketing, digital sales, and other aspects of life in the post-industry world.

Here’s part of their manifesto:

The History of the Music Industry vs The Future of Music

June 1, 2000

The history of the American Music Industry is a disheartening one, which largely details the exploitation of artists and musicians by opportunists and those without the musicians’ best interests at heart.

For too long musicians have had too little voice in the manufacture, distribution and promotion of their music on a national and international level and too little means to extract fair support and compensation for their work.

Manufacturing and distribution monopolies concentrate the power of over 90% of music sold into the hands of five labels. With huge media mergers continuing to consolidate the decisions of what to play and promote, it becomes more and more difficult for artists to gain exposure through the few remaining coveted radio spots.

Historically, musicians have had one of two unattractive choices:

1. Align themselves with major label exploiters and agree to unfair compensation in the hopes of one day reaching a national audience; or
2. Resign themselves to working with indies and a life in the shadows.

read more at their site.