For the last five months I have been involved as an organizer for "TourBaby" and I have watched a remarkable community evolve.

This weekend The True Audio Outland (TAO) and I ventured forth to Houston, great port city of the third coast, for a 36hr run of promotion, protest, jamming, 2 way too fun live broadcasts, and a good bit networking. As an added bonus it was also the first time I met a few of the folks I have been working with throughout the Summer. We where treated to a wonderful time and our internet partners in crime where far weirder, and more wonderful than I ever imagined. I was introduced to a flurry of highly diverse artist and was blessed with the opportunity to play with most of them, at a PEACE rally no less, on the steps of city hall. From broadcast radio to live performance to the studio for internet performance in a day and change, all productive and taken at a relaxed pace with plenty of time to enjoy the Montrose atmosphere. This is the kind of thing achieved when artist band together for a common interest goal. I could have never set the trip up myself, had a label exec done it for me I gaurantee it wouldn't have been as low stress and positive.

As independent artists we need to work together much more than almost any other field of "employment", I am sure you understand the parenthesis. Making good music is not easy, like any labor of love it is at times all consuming, almost an addiction. Further, music is a vibrant constantly evolving part of our culture, mirroring and reflecting upon ourselves and the world around us in temporal fashion , news for the soul. This is a heavy task to undertake and in my opinion is a valid reason for a decent wage. The music industry itself is tilted against this reality as many of us know. The massive promotional capabilties of a corporate label far outweigh any independents even when looked at proportionally. It is through the formation of community amongst artist that we are able to get past this huge stumbling block towards success. The TAO managed, with help from other artists of like mind, to introduce ourselves and our music to tens of thousands of people in one of the largest cities in the country, you can't ask for a better introduction to a new town your going to play in. When you cross promote the effects are amplified dramatically.

The internet has proven a valuable tool for small artists to find an audience, but I feel that it's true value is in the ability to communicate within the artistic community. It is of great benifit to all of us to promote each other and to aid each other.

I pose this question to you , what's better, a booking agent who lives in your town, or a network of 44 performing artist in 44 cities who know the very people making the decision about letting you play. It's a question I intend on answering soon, very soon, this Spring in fact after the spate of family holidays and cheer. I am of the thought that the musicians are going to do a better job, we will see.

Any of you interested in playing in Austin? I know these guys that play there all the time, I'll put you in touch with him.

Yer PAL Ethan & Tao

I forgot to mention the great folks at dmusic, Thank you for all of your support!!!
Yer PAl Ethan

Very well written Ethan! And anyone that reads this, read it more then once. As I go around this big country this is what I do, network,network,network. Don't leave to othere's to do! Who is going to work the hardest for you to get the word out? YOU!
And if this film thing works out Ethan, I just might get you a heads up before I head down that way.

Keep up the good work!
Still Pickin'
Bill Hudson

What, are you smoking crack???

No, I'm pulling Ethan's leg (hopefully he knows that). Everyone who's ever been in a band knows that while you compete with other bands for bookings, fans, etc., you also help out. Who's never loaned (or needed to borrow) a cord, or sound advice, or even a player? It's just the golden rule, back to haunt you. Much better than constant bickering, isn't it?

Hey I want to help you all out with a little tip, go to this site www.cafeshops.com/FABIAN and check it out. You can sign up for this too. Check it out and good luck!
Fabian

www.cafeshops.com/fabian

1 - Who doesn't know about cafeshops (formerly cafepress)???

2 - How does this help?

I have sites all over the web in many music communities, been interactive with lots of musicians from all over the world in many forums, not to mention having joined here at DM, which in the short time I've been here, has proven to be one of the finest. Great Article Ethan, your in my old stomping grounds from long ago, Montrose was where I played back in the 60's in a band as well as a single, and Austin was my home for years in the 70's. It's good to see the community consciousness that existed back then, has developed with the speed of the Internet. Keep up the good work! It's people like yourself and the ones you work with that will make the INDIESTRY a reality that the industry has to face and contend with. We're all in this together and together we can make it happen. Thanks.

http://johngarza.net