I thought there were some interesting points made in music industry guru Bob Lefsetz' most recent blog. It's referencing Rush's tour ticket sales vs their album sales, but I think it contains advice that applies to indie bands too:


"They've only sold 213,620 copies of their new album, "Snakes & Arrows", but their fans still want to see them live.

If they didn't have a record deal, I'd tell them to go all Prince on us [ed note: this is in reference to Prince simply giving away his latest work with the purchase of a concert ticket - essentially sticking it to the label]. Rather than report anemic SoundScan figures, why not just give the album away to the diehard fans, who are paying to see them, who want to see them, oftentimes at high prices.

Otherwise, they'll never be able to play the new material in concert, everybody will go to the bathroom. They'll just be able to play the hits.

It's about getting your music HEARD! It's not about how many CDs you sell. By focusing on selling product, acts are actually hurting themselves. Don't tell their record labels, but the performers have got to know this. Every act that the big label built...unless the big label can provide incredible visibility, should put out its album itself. It'll make all the money. And, as we move to Web distribution, people can find the tracks on iTunes from indies as easily as those from majors. And most of these acts ARE NOT GOING TO GET ON THE RADIO ANYWAY!"