Black March

My take is "Don't Buy (or Pirate) Oligopoly Media, Support Indie Artists!"

I am a small vendor at conventions of independently produced CDs of filk and pagan music.

I often buy directly from the producer/publisher/artist (usually a small group of folks) and sell directly to fans in their community. The reason they like to wholesale to me and other small vendors is that then they don't need to sit a table at a convention, or even try to attend everything, but their work is represented.

The people who produce these CDs don't have lobbying groups, or even much in the way of advertising budgets. They often go from gig to gig with boxes of CDs, and sell via the web. They all have day jobs. So do I.

I have personally met most of the artists whose music I sell. My initial CD buy from them was face to face. This is how I like to do business with the artists - because they're more than mere business associates to me.

I would ask that you look at indie artists first, not just in March. The value you get for your money is higher, IMO.