Its called starting somewhere.
Of course what would you know about being in a band struggling to get a label signed.
I play in 2 bands that don't tour, as we are not intersetd in living the dream or those of us that were fell short and have families to feed now so they aren't going to try again. We put out our own music with either money from our own pockets or what we make off shows. We support/open for the touring acts that come through, help flier spread the word, make sure they have a place to shit/shower/sleep and always have a good time when they come to Columbus.
I have had the pleasure of playing with musicians from all over the world, and thoroughly enjoy making music. There are networks of musicians world wide that are either making a living on their own or just making enough to tour around and see the sites for awhile while they can.
I remember before the interwebz whenever some one would get their hands on a paper (yes paper) catalog from a distributor and how we used to crowd around it like it was a bibile and pass it around to everyone we knew. Going to all day shows where bands would set up tables and have not only their records but the records of local acts that had supported them across the country. Kids with silk screens making shirts and patches for the bands, cause you sure couldn't go to the mall and get 'em. Trading bootleg VHS of shows. All that shit.
Mr. Reznor "bucking the record industry" is nothing new, and frankly it's quite boring since he already had the fame, power and money to do it on his own. Obviously the man is good at what he does, but what he does is far from innovative or pushing any boundaries. Kraftwerk was innovative, Throbbing Gristle was innovative. The kids making Gabber and building their own sampers/software or the circuit bending crowd are innovating industrial music right now.
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