Sometimes I wonder

If I will ever release another physical cd. Nobody really knows where the music industry is going, but we can all speculate.

One of my favorite insights about all of this comes from Moses Avalon's book, "Secrets of Negotiating a Record Contract". In it, he says, "As I write these words, companies with new ideas for distribution are fighting vast financial powers. But what they represent is greater than their opponent's resources for they represent the future and the future can't be stopped. It can, however, have enemies. Who are they? They are anyone who opposes change; as long as they can keep things from changing, these enemies of the future will continue to make money without adapting to new ideas and new concepts. Progress is historically unkind to such people. Progress is the future. You are the future. You are progress. Lead, follow, or get out of the way..."

Rest of the book aside, the ending provides us with some hope. And really, that's all we need. Just a little glimpse of the end of the tunnel to keep us interested in finding it.

It seems like many indie labels, such as myself, are becoming more of a promotional and marketing firm - with the money being made on tours and merchandise aside from the music itself.

Then there are bands like Fugazi, who only play five dollar shows, and don't even sell any band "merch"... yet they maintain the band, and even get a certain amount of respect, just for their perseverance. Ian MacKaye is definitely someone I look up to, though I don't follow his practices to a T.

I guess the only answer is that you have to be in this because you love it and not any other reason, because otherwise, you won't last.

I know I haven't been around that long. Going on year five as a label, year 2 doing this full-time. But at least I'm still here. Still typing. Still caring. Still listening.