There was a time when we were all reading about independent stores closing and being replaced by the large chains but it seems now that even the economies of scale enjoyed by the larger retailers are not enough to save them from a shrinking bottom line.

So while the industry at large and in particular the retail sector is going through an intense time of change and upheaval, is it all bad news for the Independent Artist as well?

Certainly not!

The Internet has not yet become the online shopping mecca that some pundits predicted it would be by now but it is moving in the right direction. More importantly, it has eroded one of the main cornerstones of power of the major labels, publicity!

The Net is infinitely more democratic than traditional media outlets and also provides the opportunity to cross over into the mainstream if enough buzz can be generated about a particular Artist independently.

The Internet’s growing pains are just that, painful but media democracy is here if only in a trickle down manner for the moment. For the most part major labels still sign young/good-looking acts but be assured, above all it’s a business and if you can sell CDs online and generate a buzz you will get offers even if you’re Ninety years old and have one eye in the middle of your forehead!

It’s also worth bearing in mind that if you are patient and build on the Net, you may not want or need that deal when the offer finally arrives.