I know I am going to show my age with this but — remember the days when you waited for that new release from one of your favorite artists with anticipation? That trip to the record store to get that new music? Why did we let the various record labels cheat us out of that wonderful feeling? Finally, you got home, opened the plastic and set that shiny black vinyl under the needle turned up the volume and listened all the way through side 1, flipped over the LP and kept on enjoying that much awaited new release! All the while, following along with the lyrics and reading through the liner notes for those golden comments and info. Along came the CD and we kept that going for a few years. All of a sudden, the “radio hits” became the main push when payola brought radio to it’s knees and radio became the “septic system” that it is today.

Fast forward to the reality of today. There are many great independent artists that have their offerings up on MySpace, Last.fm, DigiticedMusic, CDBaby and many other respectable web sites. The internet is the quickest way for independent artists to get in touch with their fans. Many of these independents are doing a good job but I think we can do better. We need to bring back that feeling of anticipation, waiting for that next release. Let the fans feel as though they are a part of independent music. Independent artists work hard at making their music and on the whole this independent music is put forth as if it is one cohesive package – meaning that the “CD” stands on it’s own as well written and recorded music. We should be trying to promote the whole package instead of this “fast food” track-by-track model. Artists need to get their fans involved and interested in their music.

If you like an artist, promote them, buy their music, and above all support them.