Online Marketing for an Indie Band?

nometa asks: "I'm working with an indie band, and despite excellent reviews, a great album (produced by Sylvia Massey of Tool fame), and excited responses by crowds whenever we play, it seems near-impossible to get past the 'gate-keepers' of the music industry. Majors (and several indies, sadly) don't see a pretty boy band, push for fluffy singles over good songs, and generally act like they still have clue about what people want. We've had great success, however, on our websites selling CDs and pulling in new fans, and would like to push online music marketing further. Do any Slashdot readers have suggestions for pushing our music out further online?" We all know the problem with today's music industry, this is not the place for that horse-pill. Instead let's focus on how an independent music group can go out there and make it on their own, and do so using existing technology (including the Internet), to its best potential. So what suggestions do you have for young, aspiring bands who want to make their music, and not sell their soul in the process?

Comments

exposure...

[Anonymous Coward]

I would definitely suggest putting mp3s up on Insound.com and Epitonic.com. You definitely need to advertise... sometimes word of mouth is the best carrier for a cash-strapped band. Some bands have been successful by just getting as many places to link and/or host to their mp3s. And plugging the site during a performace does wonders for exposure... especially if people can easily remember your URL.

Joe
jhall@astron.berkeley.edu

Offline, but works with poor college students

[ZeroFactor]

Give out free CDs at campuses. If you can't get someone there in person, send them to a local campus group or station.

Get a link to your band on a major website

[magic]

That's a sure way to pick up lots of fans, I think.

-m