> Good post, Matty.  I wouldn't argue with the first three lines, but it 
> WAS
> easier in the mid '90s.  That said, if a touring band can tap into a 
> sizable
> established subculture (four I can think of off the top of my head:  
> jam, blues,
> emo, alt-country), you're in much better shape.

Hmmmm... see, this was not my experience in the early to mid 90's. I 
guess I can see your perspective from the standpoint of an established 
"indie" band signing to a major label or even one of the mega-indies 
(subPop, Matador) who had major label distro ties at the time. I will 
also concede that fans were more supportive of local music scenes in the 
80's and early 90's. But until the internet really took hold, it was 
nearly impossible for a "unsigned" band to get noticed or sell records 
on a national, not to mention worldwide, level. Your only hope was to 
play out non-stop and pray that an A&R guy saw you, liked you, and kept 
his job long enough to offer you a demo deal. That's not to say that it 
is easy now. Everyone has a band who are looking for success on some 
level. But at least now there is a method of fast access, communication 
and networking in place. Lists such as this one and even the P2P 
networks really help bands get good music across to new potential fans.

I just don't see this as such a gloomy time for music. Things are 
changing, sure... but that is not necessarily a bad thing. As a fan, 
artist, and label owner, I find it to be a very exciting time and view 
the state of the industry more along the lines of wiping the slate clean.

Ryan