How the Internet Changed Everything for Independent Artists | Billboard On The Record

There are more independent artists than ever today — but does that actually mean being independent has gotten easier? Molly Neuman, president of CD Baby, sits down with Billboard On The Record host Kristin Robinson for an episode about the evolution of being an independent artist, from the ’90s, when Neuman started her punk band Bratmobile, to today. They chat through how Napster, digital distribution and streaming transformed the industry, while diving into how artists have more leverage and options now than ever before. With that leverage, though, come new challenges, from an overwhelming volume of songs to rising marketing costs.

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Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions.

Host:
Kristin Robinson

Executive Producers:
Diona DaCosta
Jade Watson

Produced By:
Kayla Forman
Mateo Vergara

Edited By:
Rachel Derbyshire

Kristin Robinson 

We’re going to be talking about the evolution of what it means to be an independent artist, and you know better than most this whole evolution that’s taken place. Starting in the early ’90s, you were in a feminist punk band, uh, called Bratmobile. Moving more into the present day, you’re the president of CD Baby. 

Molly Newman 

You had to have a label. That was really the barrier to distribution to getting into stores. That’s obviously, like, the fundamental difference of what things are like now.

Kristin Robinson 

Like, even hearing the story about an A&R from a label approaching you after just seeing 20 minutes of your band play, it kind of feels quaint now to think about it.

Molly Newman 

It’s super quaint. The, the way that people find artists now is, is, you know, data-driven.

Kristin Robinson 

I’ve always been curious about how far you can make it as an independent artist before tapping into a major label.

Molly Newman 

You sometimes feel like you have to have a PhD to understand what’s happening in the mu-. . . music industry.

Kirstin Robinson 

Yeah.

Molly Newman 

Why would a, you know, an artist who is, you know, in their early 20s know the ins and outs of this complex business and industry?