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.

Love what you hear? Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Billboard On The Record.

Love what you hear? Follow Billboard On The Record on Instagram, TikTok, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Youtube @billboard so you never miss an episode.

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.