OK everyone. After an overly long hiatus, I've put Underground Music Monthly back on the web, and I decided to try to simplify a few things. I realized when uploading this site to the server that there is an insane amount of information. I decided that I wanted to put up a couple of pages that would be the two most important pages on the site. First, this one, which has my list of important sites if you are an independent musician. They are in no particular order, but they are all wonderful sites. The other page you should click on while on Underground Music Monthly is the how to get the most out of Underground Music Monthly page. It will have everything you need to use UMM more quickly and efficiently.
1. http://www.cdbaby.com- I cannot say enough about this site. The founder, Derek Sivers, was a genius for putting this thing together. It decided from the beginning that it wasn't going to be just another place to sell CDs. In fact, it's the place to sell CDs now if you are an independent musician. It's not only that, though. It now has digital distribution, and is, in my opinion, the best way to get your music available to iTunes and other digital companies. My music is available at 29 such places because of CDBaby. There are tons of helpful articles on the site. It's also a great place to start networking with other indie musicians. You can find artists by genre and state, so if you are a metal band from California, and you want to expand to Arizona, you can get on the site, and search for metal bands in Arizona. Everyone on the site obviously has released a CD, so they aren't just a college cover band. They are, indeed, like you or me. They are doing everything they can to make it in the music business, and a gig swap would sound just as good to them as it does to you. Also, I went to a CDBaby member meeting a couple of years back. I really hope they start doing those again. If I were touring at the time, the meeting would have been extremely helpful to me. As it was, I still networked with some other musicians, traded around ideas, and traded my CDs for some great music. If you have a CD, start selling it there. If you don't have a CD, check out the site and get ideas for when you will have one. This is the only site that I started using 5 years ago that I still use today. I expect it to be around for quite a while.
2. www.musiciansatlas.com - excellent resource for booking shows, and promoting your CD in general. Used in conjunction with the Indie Bible, and you'll have all the information you need. Then it's just a matter of doing it. The 2003 edition, the one I have, also has some valuable coupons, so you'll save money with it as well. I know, I have some valuable information on this site, but I update it so haphazardly, that some of the links might be 5 years old. The musician's atlas, and the indie bible both update it every year, and the hassle you save will be well worth it.
3. http://www.indiebible.com - This is one of those few instances where I suggest paying for something. Buy an Indie Bible. It doesn't have a listing of places to perform, but it has an up to date (it's released annually) listing of pretty much every place in the country that will promote your music.
4. http://www.indie-music.com - just go there. All sorts of helpful information, that you may not get anywhere else, includes "over 7400 complete venue listings all across America." Also has other useful contact information.
5. Sonicbids - submit online to tons of conferences and festivals, and some venues.
6. www.MissionMan.net - ok, just kidding, but there's no harm in hearing my music for free. :)
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