411 on the Independent Music Movement

Back in the day, you had to be “signed” to a major record company to make a go of it in the music business…and then along came the Internet. Offering a viable roadmap for independent music artists of all stripes, 411 on the Independent Music Movement is a two-disc set (with a bonus CD-ROM containing Version 8 of the “Indie Bible”—a listing of venues, radio stations, record stores, and other resources for independent musicians) that provides a wealth of information for aspiring artists. Presented by producer and independent artist Aneel Robinson, this wide-ranging how-to features interviews with a number of subject matter specialists (including accountants, promoters, lawyers, music programmers, and others), covering almost every imaginable aspect of the independent music business—from the often overlooked basics of creating a business plan to legal issues to what radio programmers (both broadcast and Internet) and independent music store owners are looking for to add to their playlists and bins. The DVD menu navigation is a bit cumbersome here, but considering the depth and breadth of the material, this is a minor quibble. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (C. Block)