Yeah, I agree with the issue of "being independent". I have also to mention that signed in a label doesn't mean that you avoid the costs, etc. Every "insider" of the music biz knows that at least the first album of an unknown artist is financed by the band and labels usually pay for the CD manufacturing , do the distro and promo issues. Then they enjoy the potential profits from product sales without worry about the ROI ( return on investment) because there is no investment! All the production cost including studio rehearsals, mixing, recording, etc. are covered by the artst himself.

By Dave Adrian

I started my long rock music career as a band manager . In those days , the telephone and the Bedford van were the essential tools of management . The office was more then often the backroom of a cafe or a pub , and also the meeting place for all parties concerned . Most of the London and Liverpool based bands used to venture on the road with little Ford vans full of
equipment , and often kitchen , hotel room and what have you function at the same time . All on a phone call contract with a venue in a club in Paris or elsewhere on the continent . (remember the Beatles in Hamburg ...) The contract was draughted on a " Roneo "ink duplicator ; it was far from being clear as much for the managment as for the band ...