Today's Independent Artist

The Indie Music Scene Today…

By Troika Hanna

When we talk about the music scene in the year 2012, some may say that it is on a down hill slope. However, it is just the reverse for independent artist. This could not be a more-better time for an independent artist to strive for their goals in the Music Industry. Statistics show that more than ever social networks have aided in the support of indie artists just as Major Record labels. A indie artist is able to appeal to management in the music industry because there fan base through social networks have enhanced their exposure, help artist work on their existing image, allowed indie artist to stay connected in trends, and the ability to create a name through less financial expense.  

In addition, it depends on what city specifically an independent artist is currently focusing his or her career in the music industry. An article in Digital News gives statistics on the top 15 cities. 

“Turns out that location still matters after all, but which locations matter the most?  That's a tough question, but when it comes to the music industry, we looked internally to find the largest, densest industry populations.  Accordingly, we tracked IP addresses on Google Analytics (anonymously) for the past one million unique hits…” (http://digitalmusicnews.com/stories/052511cities)

1. New York (12.23 % of the past 1MM unique hits)

2. Los Angeles (10.43%)

3. London (3.55%)

4. San Francisco (and Oakland) (3.24%)

5. Nashville (1.55%)

6. Boston (& Cambridge) (1.55%)

7. Chicago (1.44%)

8. Seattle (1.22%)

9. Toronto (1.16%)

10. Atlanta (0.96%)

11. Paris (0.85%)

11. Austin (0.84%)

12. Birmingham (UK) (0.81%)

13. Washington, DC (0.78%)

14. Sydney (0.72%)

15. Philadelphia (0.72%)

This information is very useful because through research of demographics and location management in the Music Industry are able to determine what cities should be geared for music tours, marketing/advertising, and sales.

Another great concept with the Music Industry scene today is the ability of indie artist to be versatile in other skills and talents. The average indie artist today can now play several different instruments, read music, and posses social skills of communication from there daily interactions with social networks such as Youtube, Twitter, and Facebook. In the book This Business of Artist Management, it gives examples and illustrations how through the advancement of technology, increase opportunities of multimedia exposure—television, print, social networks, and show business allows a independent artist to be diversified and more well-rounded.