The Record Industry and Independent Artists by Mr. Spot

Dear Mr. Spot: How can I best support Independent artists such as Gunnar Madsen? Isn't it true they make better money if I buy direct from them?

Well, I wouldn't say the money is 'better' in the moral sense. It's true, if you buy direct from the artist, the artist gets more money per unit sold. But it's not always 'better'. Let me explain...

I love selling direct. I like the 'connection' with the person that buys the record. I like the profit margin. But I like to perform, spend time with my friends and relations, and do all sorts of other activities. I don't have time to do it all direct. And I want my music to reach as wide an audience as possible.

So, I found online ordering services for independent musicians such as myself. They charge a commission for each piece sold, but their services are worth it to me, and because they're small and folksy and web-savvy, they let me know everytime someone orders my music, and they help it reach a wider audience. It's cool. And the profit margin is still better than wholesale.

Still, many people (myself included) like to go to a record store to buy music. Hear Music is one of my favorites, as the staff know a ton of records and can recommend stuff to me. I want my music to be in record stores like this. There are some really, really good independent record stores, who love music and help to keep it alive. And who support independent artists. Hear Music features my music in their stores, not because I bought shelf space there, but because they like it and think other people will like it too. The same with Archambault in Montreal, and Chapters, Inc. across Canada. I don't get as much money as I would selling direct, but the music is there for a much broader public, so again it's worth it.

Still, it would be beyond my time and energy to be servicing individual record stores in cities across the country with my music. So, I work with a distributor. They are good people too, they love music, they love independent music, they're working between the cracks left by the mega-corporations to keep music flowing. Yes, they take a cut, but they earn it, it's worth it to pay them for their work. They are able to get records into all the independent stores, as well as into the larger chains - and, like I said, I want my music to be available to as wide an audience as possible.

The larger chains and the major labels are not inherently evil. They carry good music too, and many of the people working therein are passionate about music. Buying good music from them is a vote for good music, period. And in many communities, they're your only choice. But you should know that the shelves of the major chains are sold, as advertising space, basically. So for a record to show up on those shelves, it has been paid for. Same with those listening stations, those spaces are bought. The releases that have money behind them are the ones you'll see displayed in those stores. So to find independent music might take a bit of bin-diving, or going to the front desk and asking, sometimes even placing a special order. But, hey, good music is worth it, eh?

Be assured, no matter where you buy your G-Spot and other fine records, you are supporting the artist.

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