Originally Posted by: RazboI never realized that regarding re-releases.

Well, it's no new thing as far what the Companies do for themselves and [u]can[/u] do for you. It's a choice that, these days, any artist not living on the moon must be aware of what they are setting themselves up for.

But the alternative could be years - or even a lifetime of struggle selling CD's from a trunk.

While it's not the path to millions, the best possible scenario these days for an artist is to find a well distributed indie label. With the advent of home recording and the ability to make top notch stuff on your own, you could make a licensing deal with that indie. You are not beholden to the major for tons of cash and have a better level of freedom.

In return, a well distributed label will get the product in to stores. Then between yourself and the label, work out a strategy for promotion. They discs ain't gonna sell themselves so you best get guerilla about it. For a young band, getting out there and playing is still the way to go. Artists always made the most consistent money with shows and selling stuff at shows.

The label can concentrate on targeted promotion and likely has the connections to get the release in front of sources that review and promote.

It's a way to make a living. Not riches and fame but the path to that is much different than it was before. Though I am a believer in digital media, I still think there is value in having a salable product. Also, the ability to make a living with plays in digital media is so difficult because you have to move lots of plays in order to scrape up a little cash.

So, anyway...digressing. There is money in music but it's no longer just aiming for the major and hoping. It's looking in to the niche of a genre and finding the best source to promote your art.