SUPPORT THE LABELS!
This letter was sent out from Microindie Records about a week ago, and I thought it was well written and thought everyone should read it:

Yes it's all true. Microindie Records is run mostly by one guy (me)
from a basement in Wyoming Michigan. The label exists not for profit
but to share the music I like with as many people as I can. The
bands on the label are all making music for the same reason more or
less.

So here's the dilemma: in the past few years it has become harder
and harder for basement indie labels and small indie bands to do
what they love to do. Stores are going out of business and the
distribution system is breaking down. Many labels are selling 25-50%
of what they were selling just a few years ago. Bands and labels are
finding it almost impossible to cover the cost of recording,
pressing, promoting and touring. We dig in our pockets but we are
all working day jobs to make it happen and the pockets aren't very
deep. Many labels have folded and bands have stopped recording and
touring.

Here's what you can do: support your local indie band and label.
Support your favorite international indie band and label. They CAN
continue to exist with this support. As an example, I have 350+
people on my email list. If I scrape together enough cash to put out
the Icicles cd this fall and 350 people were to mailorder it from
me, that would be enough money to pay for the pressing and a little
promotion and give some money to the Icicles to repay the recording
costs. The main thing is, the money I recoup for the label will then
be used to start the cycle again for the next band and next release.
The money the Icicles recoup will probably be used to tour in 2005.
But I stress that you are a link in this chain and without that
link, we can only keep this going for a limited time. Now in a way,
I understand I am preaching to the choir because you are receiving
this email if you are on my list, which generally means you have
supported the label in the past. So for that I say thanks and I hope
you continue your support in the future, not just for my label but
for others like Matinee, Slumberland, Shelflife, Bus Stop, Magic
Marker, Secret Crush, Happy Happy Birthday to Me, Clairecords,
Candle, Endearing, Chocolate Hearts, Boompa etc…and all the bands on
these labels. Thanks again!

Mike
Microindie Records
www.microindie.com

Oh and also, if you didn't already know this, you can find a list of our favorite independent record labels with links to their websites right on our website, radioatreyu.com: Label Links!