So wait, youre telling me I dont have to go to a recording studio to record a CD anymore? So hold it, hold it, youre telling me I can sell my album through my computer? Now youre really pulling my leg--you say people can hear my songs on their phones!?!

Well, yes thats all possible. And we all know that, right? Right? If you don't, you're missing out in more ways than one. Too many people who are artists/performers dont know what they can accomplish with todays technology or even where to go to find out about it all. There are plenty of opportunities to improve technically and artistically with the use of a few doo-dads. I am constantly impressed by whats available in the tech world for musicians. I just recently purchased a little box that can control my DAW (the computer I use to record) from another room so I dont have to run back and forth when I record myself away from the computer. AMAZING. But, I wouldnt have known about it if I wasnt keeping current.

A growing artist doesn't live in a cave. On a certain level we already know that because there wouldnt be much to write or sing about if we did. But to truly excel we need to be challenged by our peers, to be part of a community that will support us in our artistic endeavors. When I was performing regularly in NYC I was on the periphery of an incestuous group of musicians that haunted the clubs on the Lower East Side. They played in each others bands and went to hear their friends when they knew the audience needed some boosting. It was great to be a part of that community and to be able to make connections with other musicians that ultimately helped me with some of my own projects.

So what to do if there isnt a ready group of musicians to hang out with? You have to go out and find them, sometimes virtually. At the very least, you find out what they're doing! I subscribe to a variety of magazines and newspapers from which I get info on upcoming concerts, trends, tech news, etc. And of course there is the Internet with its various newsgroups and websites. The one publication that I feel is of greatest service to the independent musician is The Performing Songwriter (www.performingsongwriter.com). This is a wonderful monthly magazine that has feature articles on top musicians, easy to read tech articles and features for DIY (do it yourself) artists. I also subscribe to Electronic Musician and Mix because I run a recording studio. I read the New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Village Voice and the local free Arts paper. There are also a ton of web-based newsletters out there like indie911.com, Just Plain Folks (jpfolks.org), CMJ (www.cmj.com) and the occasional letter from CDBabys founder Derek Sivers.

What types of things you keep current on largely depends on your interests, but its always good to be aware of things outside your usual artistic tastes. Be aware of trends and different styles of music if only to borrow from what you like. Im not a big fan of hip-hop, but I read the occasional article and watch the videos on MTV2 just so I know whats going on and to hear the new sounds that these producers are coming up with. I once read an article (in Rolling Stone, in fact!) about Bruce Springsteen and how he will go to a music store and buy a bunch of CDs of all different types of music just so he can keep abreast of the sounds that are out there. You can hear the results of his findings on The Rising where he uses a lot of Arabic rhythms and Rai singing styles.

Musicians also need to keep up on the business world and know how to go about marketing their music. I've read some great articles on marketing from Derek Sivers of CDBaby and also from the IndieBible and they all talk about looking for the unexpected place to put your music. I've recently become acquainted with Flash movie developers who need music and producers of web-based info material who need underscoring music for their CD products. after working with two producers, I've started to create a library of short loops that are ideal for those applications.

So if you're an artist, stay 'in tune' with your profession. Lawyers and doctors and teachers do it. They go to conferences and read professional journals. Why shouldn't artists do the same? Find a community and communicate. Read everything (even the ads, it's where I first read about that box I bought) and listen to more than just the style of music you play. I'll be interested in hearing about the discoveries you make--and the music you create--when you do!

Cheers!