| Independent music artists are often called "Indies," a | | | | and storing thousand of discs. Orders can be filled on |
| term used to describe a type of music genre that is | | | | an as-needed basis from an Indie label's website. This |
| characterized by their independence from commercial | | | | makes it possible for artists to get their music in |
| record labels. Typically Indies go against the current | | | | front of the public with very little expense and little |
| trends and often have an entrepreneurial approach to | | | | or no inventory. On demand production affords many |
| recording. | | | | bands the opportunity to forego a record label so |
| Indies originated with punk bands during the '70s | | | | they can market and distribute their music only |
| where people in this scene were involved in bands | | | | through the Internet. Some artists have broken |
| with fan bases who shared similar ideas. Indies are | | | | away from the format of major labels and have |
| known to go on self-funded tours, often to other | | | | developed a unique platform in which the label's they |
| countries, where those in the local Indie scenes help | | | | can retain ownership of their music, copyrights and |
| organize gigs and joint tours. | | | | the rights to any content and masters. The platform |
| Indies often lack the sophistication that is associated | | | | includes some innovative ideas but clearly the CD and |
| with commercial record labels, but the line is becoming | | | | DVD on demand production models a major focal |
| more and more blurred thanks to a new digital world | | | | point. They feel that lack of financial resources should |
| with the Internet where high-quality recordings can | | | | not be a determining factor as to whether an artist's |
| be made easily with recording systems that are | | | | music is heard by the public. |
| computer-based and inexpensive. | | | | According to ASR's Chairman and Co-founder |
| Now artists can introduce their music to a big | | | | Alaadeen, in order to get a good rate to |
| audience worldwide at low cost without being with a | | | | manufacture CDs, he had to manufacture large |
| major recording label. Software for digital music | | | | quantities. This led to excessive inventory. |
| encourages the discovery of new music, and there | | | | Most artists also maintain their own websites and |
| are successful websites with large libraries of songs. | | | | participate in social media marketing activities such as |
| Independent bands have never had it better, and | | | | music blogs and websites like or Facebook. |
| they can even get royalties. | | | | Independent companies often use these to rate a |
| With the arrival of newer and relatively inexpensive | | | | band after listeners have determined if they like the |
| recording devices and instruments, more individuals | | | | music or not, thus expensive talent search in the |
| are able to participate in the creation of music than | | | | music industry is not needed anymore. |
| ever before. Studios are rented by the hour and are | | | | Currently the sale of digital music makes up only five |
| very costly, and sometimes even hard to find. Today | | | | to ten percent of the total income generated from |
| anyone can produce studio-quality music from their | | | | music sales, but the numbers are increasing as record |
| own home. Artists are able to experiment with | | | | labels diminish, and Indies grow. More and more |
| different sounds and styles without spending money | | | | people are adapting broadband Internet connections |
| at the studio. | | | | so it will be easier in the future for them to access |
| Furthermore, CDs on demand make it possible for | | | | digital music online. |
| Indie artists to sell their music without manufacturing | | | | |