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An Indie Artist's Manifesto
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I hereby declare this manifesto. It's the manifesto of an independent songwriter/artist. As an independent artist, I realize that I must create, produce, and promote my own music. That is, I must create and SELL my own art. I realize these are two entirely different mindsets (creating and selling), and that the SELLING of music may be much harder for me than actually creating it. I am not scared of the work that any of these duties entails or of the obstacles they present. I realize that record companies have a virtual monopoly on commercial radio, retail store shelf space, top tier music magazines, television appearances, major concert venues, and every major way an artist gets heard by the public. In short, these large corporations (coupled with their radio and ticketing counterparts) monopolize popular music culture. Quite frankly, I don't care. They can have their monopolies AND their image conscious bands…that's not what music should be about. It's not what music fans really want…and it's not what musicians should be doing. I really believe people want to be moved by unique thoughts and great melodies and beats...not by 20-year old pop idols with stylists. Therefore, I'm hereby creating my OWN music business. I'm not pursuing
a major label deal, and I will not accept any deal that turns over creative
control of my music to another entity. Let the major labels figure out how to "control" music on the
Internet, suing their own potential customers--I will be figuring out
how to use it to reach people around the world who are looking for music
like mine. Let the major labels control how the music gets into stores--I will reach
my audience directly. Let the major label artists change their looks, bend their styles for
the teeny-bopper audiences, and sell their souls for fame. They can have
fame. I don't want it. Let all of those who aspire to be in the major label system hang out
at the parties to impress those who can impress those who may one day
help them. Let them sign a deal with someone who will sign a deal with
someone who will sign a deal with someone that will pay them. I do not believe in that system. "Selling out" to me means giving creative control of your art
to someone else--namely, someone who wants to make money off of it. I
believe you can never sell out if you write what you believe in, regardless
of whether it will sell. If you are trying to impress someone else to
get them to take ownership of your music, you have already sold out. I hereby declare this Independent Artist Manifesto. It is time for us
to wake each other up. I'm starting with me. Thanks for listening. My own music business
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