This clip is taken from the special features of the DVD for the documentary film “What is INDIE?” (www.whatisindiemovie.com). The DVD has over an hour of special features, including Advice from Derek Sivers (CD Baby), Panos Panay (Sonicbids), David Wimble (Indie Bible) and others, as well as Featurettes, Resource Listings and a hilarious Blooper Reel!
In defining what it means to be ‘indie’, as well as looking at the changing landscape in the music industry, “What is INDIE?” ends up being a rallying cry for indie artists, and has been hailed as ‘inspiring’ and ‘empowering’ by artists worldwide.
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Without any prior background in film (except for watching Super-Size Me “way too many times”) and funded entirely with his own credit cards, Montreal director Dave Cool has taken the film from a small do-it-yourself project and turned it into an indie success story in its own right that continues to turn heads in the music and film industries, even catching the attention of CNN.com, Newsweek Magazine and Canada’s National Film Board.
Duration : 0:3:53
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December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I dont understand …
I dont understand below argument Dereks for 100% right! One small description should be enough to draw attention, that the music will do the rest!
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Where has this guy …
Where has this guy been since the relaunch of the new cdbaby and its disaster its been two months and things are still not working….hope you enjoy that money you made
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I agree.
I agree.
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I think when music …
I think when music is good, it out-speaks words that can describe it. The way Derek describes sharing music is somewhat wrong/manipulative. “A cross between the Beatles and James Brown”? That doesn’t make someone want to listen. It’s so obscure and NON-descriptive that people will want to continue listening to what they already know. If someone wants you to describe your music, hand them a CD! Come PREPARED for a transaction. Labeling your music just means it sounds like other music.
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
his pinky
his pinky
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
what would the hulk …
what would the hulk have sex with exactly?
great advice 5 stars!
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
thanks for this …
thanks for this video
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
“Cross between …
“Cross between James Brown and The Beatles?..I would say..Oh..You’re a cover band?
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Not only that but …
Not only that but don’t forget, Derek started CD BABY! He has probably made millions from that company. He must know a little about what he is talking about if he could make a multi-million dollar company. Maybe his band didn’t take off, but all the Berklee students I’ve met have an awesome knowledge of music business. I do think he had a lot of success as a musician too though.
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Do anyone know how …
Do anyone know how to add people to your youtube page? I’m a beginner.
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
There’s also the …
There’s also the overly exclamation of artists… some artist are able to describe their music as an amazing, smacking, wonderful thing and then when you listen to the music, it sucks… in other words, self marketing hoopla can also be a huge hype for mediocrity!! Sorry guys if you want to hear the truth take your music to Y-Tube, the streets, in subways, or even in streets festivals this is where the public will appreciate it IF it’s good!!
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I make this comment …
I make this comment with respect to you, Emobizzle. This is definitely not true. I do know first hand. Derek didn’t know me from anybody,yet he spent a lot of time helping me get our group booked without asking for anything in return. He then even sent my video back on his own dime! He didn’t plug CD baby. I’m a cynical dude-and hate music biz types, but any success Derek has is truly well-deserved.
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Quote: “5. DEREK IS …
Quote: “5. DEREK IS JUST TRYING TO MAKE MONEY.”
exactly right…. he’s one of the million failed aspiring musicians that payed a ton of money to go to Berklee College of Music and realizes “Hey, im not creative enough to make it in this business, so I’ve gotta do what the generic college educated student does and make a website to either make money off of ad hosting or sell someone elses material, or both……. so please everyone ignore this guy he cant help you he wants your money
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Derek’s work has …
Derek’s work has had a significant impact on the music business. Thanks so much!
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
This video is great …
This video is great. I never really had perspective on just how important labeling your music is. Thanks.
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Tons of magazines …
Tons of magazines and newspapers write reviews and if you music is good enough they’ll give you a positive review, then you’ll get noticed. If you have a good product and you sent out 500 copies to every newspaper, magaine that does CD reviews I am sure you’ll get noticed.
You don’t need a distributor. Very few people will buy something unless they recognize the artist or have heard of the band/artist, but they’ll check out your website first.
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Here’s my advice.
…
Here’s my advice.
1. GET AN ENTERTAINMENT LAWYER AND MAKE SURE YOU HAVE LEGALLY BINDING CONTRACTS SIGNED WITH ALL OF THE MUSICIANS TO SELL THEIR TRACKS.
2. GET A DECENT WEBSITE AND JUST SELL THE STUFF YOURSELF. CD BABY ISN”T GOING TO GET THAT MUCH ADDITIONAL SALES THAT YOU COULDN”T GET YOURSELF.
3. IF YOU PRODUCT IS GOOD ENOUGH, A REAL LABEL WILL BE INTERESTED.
4. SOME BANDS CAN ACTUALLY MAKE MORE MONEY FROM SELLING T-SHIRTS AND BASEBALL CAPS
5. DEREK IS JUST TRYING TO MAKE MONEY.
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
thursday night at …
thursday night at 11 A M?
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
jvgfdhg
jvgfdhg
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
I hope my music is …
I hope my music is good enough to make ppl go out on a thursday night at eleven am!
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
My music makes you …
My music makes you want to be faithful to your significant other …i was told
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
i want to say that …
i want to say that i been around inthe music business a long time and plz beieve me when i say that cdbaby is the most honest , the best open door for unkinown musicians there ever was . i been wth cdbaby since 2003 and they have always been very very prompt and honest in every way . from > capt.meat
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
hi derek,
You talk …
hi derek,
You talk alot about what artist should do but like me im nobody from nowhere.But i just need to ask you why not advertise cdbaby on vh1 or mtv or get connected with american idol.Because i noticed when you got in the berkely collage thing my hits went up and i sold a couple of cds.Their is only one magic wand ADVERTISE….and that should be something you should look into because for me getting 1 to 2 hits a day is just not going to sell cds and me being nobody its crash and burn.
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Hey Derek,
How …
Hey Derek,
How come you won’t pull content down from your site when others will pull it from their sites? How come Derek? Did you know that that is WILLFUL INTENT TO SELL ILLEGAL CONTENT?
ALL RECORDINGS MUST HAVE RELEASE FORMS FROM EACH MUSICIAN RELEASING THEIR PERFORMANCES TO BE SOLD THROUGH YOU PATHETIC COMPANY. IF YOU DON’T HAVE COPIES OF THESE RELEASE FORMS THEN YOU A VIOLATING FEDERAL LAWS.
TAKE THE CONTENT DOWN THAT YOU HAVE BEEN REQUESTED TO TAKE DOWN. BE A MAN DEREK.
December 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
First things first …
First things first Derek,
Each label/artist must ensure that the recordings are legal to sell. How does one go about doing that? GET A FREAKING ENTERTAINMENT LAWYER TO HAVE LEGAL CONTRACTS WRITTEN. Without those legal contracts, then you legally can’t sell the recordings.
But Derek doesn’t want people to do this, if he did, he would stipulate that they must have a Legal Representative sign the legal contracts and supply copies of the Release Forms signed by each performer on each recording.