What follows is just a glance at some of the manifestations of independent music strategies on the net - in spite of the pretentious title, it certainly doesn't even approach any sort of comprehensive assessment of the resources of this type which currently exist. Inclusion here is not an endorsement; The Good, The Bad and The Ugly are all listed.
While I've not had but cursory experience with more than a handful of these sites, clearly there are exploitations here as well as a wealth of possible opportunities to move your music to people. And of course many of these sites are growing and changing, and new ones are emerging every day.
Feel free to elaborate and fill in the blanks of my oversights and ignorance, and share with us any and all experiences, news or information.
indiecentre
An independent label information site "chock full of vital DIY information on getting your music to the masses." Sections covering starting a label, recording, mastering, manufacturing, printing, sales/promotion, touring, supplies, etc. "An Introductory Mechanic's Guide to Putting Out Records, Cassettes and CDs" Largely focused on existing companies and services.
Indie Journal
Sprawling site of news and info, listings. Good
Mp3 site guide with in depth reviews and ratings of many of the independent mp3 resources listed here, although all the services listed no longer exist.
Essential Entertainers Links
"Over 3500 Weblinks, Industry Specific Databases, Informative Articles written by Entertainment Professionals & other related resources... (for) Actors, Entertainers, Musicians, Variety Acts, Writers, Stage & Film Technical personnel." Check the 'General Music Resources' link.
Indie-Music.com
Commercial musician resource site, with lots of information, links about independent music. Some good resources, particularly for marketing your music online.
The Music Biz Academy
"For Independent Musicians in the Business of Selling, Promoting or Doing Music on the Internet." Very nice site with tons of information and news.
FourFront Media & Music
"Ideas for marketing your music, helping musicians help themselves with the business of music." Christopher Knab outlines the "four fronts" of the music business.
The Global Muse Indie Corner
"Indie Artist Promotion, Marketing, Artist Development, Advice, and resources." Includes 'Indie Find' - a very extensive listing of independent artists.
BandUtopia.com
"Our goal is to be a "yellow pages" for everything an independent musician might need." - "Perhaps the largest music industry databases of it's kind that we've run across with over 34,000 entries. You can search for almost anything; Copyright Clearance, Radio Promotion, Music Attorneys, Distribution, Retail Outlets, Merchandising, Artist Management, etc"
DIY Search
"Do It Yourself Search is commited to helping and enhancing the DIY community, as it pertains to the Web. DIY Search is and will remain a not for profit listing and cataloging resource for the DIY community." Very diverse site dealing with all aspects of the "arts and humanities."
The Musician's Assistance Site
Informative site, including, most interestingly, many regional forums and a CD co-op compilation project for independent bands.
StreetComp.com
Creates compilation CDs and sends them to 500 music contacts, radio stations etc. "The total cost to those invited to participate on the compilations is only $149.95 U.S..." You get 25 copies as well.
Mysic.com
"Online Music Strategies." A French site.
The Musician's Resource Page
Info, Manufacturers, festivals, radio, message board, reviews, indie news, more.
NetMusic.com
"NetMusic is music information, free links, mp3 players, downloads, and free services all self-contained in a fast-growing, music community." Includes a free classified ad section. Add your site to their database, submit mp3s for an "upcoming library of free mp3s."
Liquid Audio
"Liquid Audio provides a range of music distribution software and services for publishing, hosting and distributing secure digital music content over the Internet."
PeopleSound.com
A service very similar to mp3.com... "peoplesound.com is Visited by over a million people each month - we're the UK and Europe's No. 1 new music download site. ...If fans like your tracks they can buy your CD, which we will manufacture and distribute for you. You get a 50%* royalty on each CD sold. You retain 100% ownership of the copyright in your music and have complete freedom to leave the site should you sign a record contract... We also manage, market and promote your music across Europe from our sites in Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, Italy and France."
VitaminIC
"Vitaminic is the leading European platform for the promotion and distribution of digital music over the Internet and other digital networks... hosting catalogues from over 700 labels, from the largest of majors to the smallest independents... Vitaminic works with the music industry on its own terms, paying both performance and mechanical royalties, even on free promotional downloads."
IUMA
Internet Underground Music Archive. "Today, IUMA is the one place to post your music where actual musicians are watching out for you - not weasels watching the numbers. You have your own URL with your band name first. And a custom web page where you can post all your band info and MP3s, sell CDs, create message boards, fan lists, and of course, get e-mail from your fans - all Free."
Tonos
Lots of information, focus on online collaboration and connecting with other musicians, featuring TC8 - an eight-track PC collaboration tool with a subscription based service.
MP3 Shareware
An interesting approach. "Register by uploading your music to MP3Shareware. When the upload is complete, download your music. Distribute only the version that you downloaded. It contains embedded information that will direct the consumer back to MP3Shareware for payment." Payments based on a shareware philosophy. Click on "Register Music" link for more info.
ths-Music.com
A small Internet-based music publisher that focuses on up-and-coming new artists, as well as established artists, who embrace file-sharing technologies like Napster. "Napster Friendly Music Publishing... Instead of heavy-handed copyright enforcement, ths-Music relies on the time-honored, community-based approach known as "The Honor System." Listen to our songs for up to 30 days, and if you like them enough to keep listening, we trust you to honor the artist by sending in a small amount per song."
Java Music.com
Free site paying royalties for downloads. (Between 1 - 3001 downloads, $.03 per download - Between 3,001 - 20,000 downloads, $.05 per download - Above 20,000 downloads, $.07 per download.)
Ampcast.com
"You will get paid $0.06 for each listener who downloads your music. The highest paying download based royalty on the Internet!" $25 annual membership fee.
TAXI
A subscription service that's been around for years, "shopping" artists material. "TAXI is the leading independent A&R company helping unsigned bands, artists and songwriters get record deals, publishing deals and placement in films and TV shows..."
Indie Scene.com
"Indie Scene is a bi-monthly newsletter that's geared toward professionals working in the music industry who are looking for up-and-coming talent. Our target readership is A&R, journalists, college radio, management, campus events coordinators, and TV and film music supervisors... Every issue of Indie Scene comes bundled with a compilation CD comprised of the best indie material we've received. Inclusion on the CD is very selective..." Bands and songwriters can submit demos and presskits. News and info on site also.
The Bandit A&R Newsletter
Subscription based newsletter for independent musicians. "...24 features published every month in the UK/US/World-wide edition of the newsletter. Don't miss out on all the record, management and publishing companies, world-wide, currently looking for your type of material..."
Association For Independent Music
Subscription based independent music information site.
Music Industry Web Guide
"10,800+ Music websites..." (advertisement) ...In a book... For $19.95 ...Hmmm.
AfterNight.com
Browse unsigned bands worldwide; free band Web space.
AngryCoffee.com
Creators of Percolator, first well known Web based interface to Napster, and future home of "Espresso," a legal P2P file sharing environment that promotes independent artists. Tutorials and information.
Music Planet
"An elite unsigned bands directory which will soon have 50 artists from around the world - Currently we have 30 bands uploaded - only a link and image are available per band at the moment but we will shortly be transforming the site into an mp3.com style interface..."
ZeBox.com
"The idea behind ZeBOX is simple: to create one great efficient music engine on the net that is self-driven by the artists themselves, where everything is instantaneous, all artists pages are automatically created, all updates instantly implemented." Artists can upload mp3s, videos.
CDart.com
The indie music video showcase. Bands send in their music videos, cdart digitizes them for Web delivery. "It's free! Just send your video tapes to us - we encode the best ones -Free of charge. We also let you DIY via digital. Or we can let us do for a fee..."
CoolSongs.com
A database of free music, where bands can list their songs for free. A paid membership is not required, and all songs are full length.
The Creative Village
"When you move into the Creative Village you get 5MB of space and 3 pages in which to create your personal Profile. You are in control of your own Web and can upload images, audio and other files at your will - with the ability to customize the look of your web via flexible, user-friendly online design tools. This means you can display your latest work, whether this be a poem, a song or a painting!" As a special introductory launch promotion, this is all free for a year.
DJ Cafe
Free 5 meg sites for DJs.
Artist In Residence
Artists-In-Residence, a Web hosting service that offers free personal, business, and organizational Web sites exclusively to those in the Performing Arts, Visual Arts and the Humanities. 5 meg sites.
BURBs
"British Underground Rock Bands" 1047 Bands, 159 CDs, 513 Full length demos, and a label spawned by the site which produces CD compilations.
MP3 Junkies
A UK based mp3.com-like site. "Submit as many songs as you like to Mp3 Junkies. Every track will be analysed by a team of 3 A&R Executives - if it's good enough, we'll make it available for free download to all those thousands of visitors. (100,000 unique hits per month)" Artists also get a free limited web page.
NewVibes.co.Uk
Small free site. "To join NewVibes all you need to do is send us your music (on CD or Minidisc) / pictures / info and anything else you would like included on your page..."
Aspects Music
UK based. Up-and-coming producers/DJs can promote themselves by sending in mixes or working with a profile. Also dub plates, links, competitions and reveiws. Windows Media files.
Live365.com
Build your own online radio station. "Over 39,000 internet radio stations broadcasting now on Live365..."
RealNetRadio
Indie net radio broadcasting, forums, more.
K-Boony Radio
"...aspiring artists considered for the K-Boony Radio WebCast... K-Boony Radio provides a new and innovative means of bringing new entertainment to the international community." Part of
BNW Entertainment
Alternative Music Webcasters
"Radio with Mike Powers" list of 700 internet radio sites. The link above is to an extensive listing of "alternative and independent" radio stations.
SolidPulse.net
"Pirate radio stations, clubs, interviews, record reviews, charts, drum & bass, garage, hip hop, R&B and more..."
MPulse.com
"The Internet Independent Music Chart" Sites, listings and radio for all genres of independent music.
Giant Steps
"The "un-celebrity" Internet radio program" "Giant Steps features interviews with the people in entertainment who work outside the spotlight, yet have excelled at their particular craft... To be a guest on Giant Steps, please send us an email describing yourself and what you do. If you're a musician mail your bio/press kit and your CD..."
Station MP3
"Artist/Band Web Site & Domain Name, Artist page... You make the call as to whether or not you want your music to be streamed, downloaded or both. Unlimited Uploads..." All free with additional services for $49 a year.
StompinGround.com
"If your band is chosen as a Featured Artist on Stompinground.com, your feature listing will be on the front page of Stompinground.com which currently receives over 28,000 user sessions per month..." Also free unsigned artist listings and "live" audio webcasts.
The Underground Xchange
"A media showcase site and networking directory for underground and independent Bands, Artists (visual artists included) and supporting business around the world... Unlike other media sites we do not take a percentage from the bands and artists and allow you to buy their merchandise directly from them..."
Progressive Music Archive
No frills public archive. "MP3 Music site dedicated to all kinds of progressive music. We host anarchistic punk, working class folk songs, communist rap, redskin ska, progressive rock... anything with an attitude...Youll have to upload the songs to a public archive first afterwards please send an email to inform us that theres new stuff remember to write as much about the band /song, that you want us to publish on the site. If you've got a lot of songs, you could send them on a CD - post an e-mail to get the address."
MP3 Unsigned Artists
"MP3 Unsigned Artists.com is NOT a record label...it acts as an MP3 portal in association with
MP3.COM's New Music Army, allowing visitors to find your music with a few clicks of a mouse. This site receives a lot of visitors from the "outside world," many of which are talent scouts, record companies and other industry insiders searching for fresh talent as well as music lovers from all over the world who want to hear the songs of the future."
MP3fi.com
Finnish/Global site with news, info, software and downloads.
AllSound.org
"A Slashdot-styled news and discussion forum covering the gamut of experimental, fringe and avant-garde music and sound art." More.
MusicFans.com
A small index of Fan Sites on the web.
IndieRing
"A ring for independent artists, musicians, indie fans, bands, zines, writers, poets, etc..." Currently over 1500 sites.
UnsignedWeb.Net
"The Unsigned Muso's Web Ring" Currently 85 sites.
Modulator: Experimental sound Ring
"Modulator is here to provide a link and a guide between sites that revolve around the worlds of sound art, new music, acoustics and new musical technology, experimental, avant-garde and just plain insane music, all of that which is pushing at the boundaries of modern music." Currently over 400 sites.
The Dance Music Resource Pages
A Juno Records page, UK. Check the "over 500 WWW dance links" link.
The Worldwide Band Name Registry
Includes BandClassifieds.com, BandData.com, BandGig.com, BandLicense.com, BandMagazine.com, BandPress.com, and BandVideo.com.
Online Bands
Small and simple site. "If you are in a band and have a recording that you would like to promote on this site, Online Bands is currently accepting submissions free of charge. Your music will be converted to Real Audio and set up on our 300+ stream capable server on a T3 pipeline. MP3 versions of your songs can also be used to post music on this site. Please provide the URL where your files can be downloaded from..."
Sound@45rpm.com
"Free web space for bands... sound@45rpm exists to promote the finest un-signed bands on the planet. if you'd like to become part of the sound@45rpm community and have your band homepage hosted here for FREE, email me on the above link. your site could include mp3's and images, you do the design and then email it to me for upload to sound@45rpm... you'll get 20mb of server space to do anything you want with..."
Alternate Groove
"This site was designed to help promote independent bands and musicians by providing secure, online CD sales..." Any band can display info about themselves and promote their music online for free. RealPlayer based samples.
TheCosmicStore
"Major labels bite! Bite back! ... If you've released an album, we can promote it and help you sell it to the world. Our web sites get over 400,000 hits a day. It's easy and there are no contracts to sign.."
Aural adventures
"The Best Independent Music on the Net!" An online independent music retailer catalog.
ArtistShop.com
"The Artist Shop, a music store dedicated to the independent progressive artist putting out his/her own product. The items we display we buy directly from the artist or his/her own company." Focused on independent labels. RealAudio based soundbytes.
MusicIsland.com
"Although it started as a listing of indie labels, the 'island' now encompasses all aspects of indie music including artists, unsigned bands, songwriters, booking agents, studios, photographers, multimedia companies, places to play and much more... (boasting) one of the largest lists of independent record labels looking for demos from unsigned bands."
Record labels list
A list by zebramusic.com. (a site with lots of other info)
Artist Direct Network
Home of "the ultimate band list" - Good general site, featuring a list of over 100,000 artists. Also an extensive list of record labels, news, more.
HandiLinks - Music
Crazy links and lists.
Band Radio
Another good general site with lots of news, info and lists of record companies etc, including a database of contacts for the major record labels.
A List of Independent Record Stores
"A Nationwide (U.S.) List of Independent Record Stores. This is LandPhil Records list of indie record stores, listed by state."