Recent upheaval has affected the major record labels, powered by economic fluctuation, the MP3 revolution, online music piracy, home recording technologies and the amazing growth of the personalized listening acquired skill (iPods, etc). Radio is losing its dominance as well... and is now just one of many forces that influence whose music one listens to. In fact, personal referrals from friends is just about the only force that remains unfazed by changes in technology... and, in fact, its most definately more important than ever.

This is dazzling news for independent musicians (also known as "indies"). Anyone can generate an album these days, and anyone might afford a internet site ... allowing them to take their music directly to their potential audience without interference from managers and labels. As a result, more and more talented and inspired artists are writing songs, recording albums and trotting their music out before live audiences.

Most of these artists have also discovered that it helps to contruct some of their music available for free (and legal) MP3 download. By picking a great, strong song or two and putting it on their web page (or another site devoted exclusively to costless music downloads), these songs become evangelistic forces for their music... working for them 24/7/365. MP3 music is not hindered by geographical boundaries or time zones. In many cases (especially instrumentals), its unaffected by language differences as well. And its no longer even slightly unusual for an artist to record a song in their little bedroom studio and post it online... while someone downloads it and is listening to it in their car or bedroom on the other side of the world just a matter of hours later!

Of course, theres still a lot of mediocre (and even downright BAD) music out there. This is where the power of personal referral really kicks in. When someone discovers some music that really turns them on, and then shares it with their friends... the cream truly rises to the top. If they go a step further and purchase an album or pay to download more MP3 tracks, the artist is encouraged and can afford to put more instant into honing their skills and making new music. The great stuff thrives and the mediocre stuff dies off.

So...help independent music succeed. Support quality where you find it. Share it with your friends. Pick up a copy of their CD or pay to download more songs. Catch the artist in concert when you may. Send them an electronic mail telling them how much their music means to you. Everyone wins when we actively support nice music!