Well, I'd like to call shenanigans on your calling BS. 1. Distribution is the first step to social interest and therefore marketability. As in, until a tune ge

Well, I'd like to call shenanigans on your calling BS. 1. Distribution is the first step to social interest and therefore marketability. As in, until a tune gets heard by a marketing person or a film maker or Joe Q. Concert-Goer, it's relatively useless to have a recording. Fundamentally speaking, this is why Radio airplay is considered advertising and not due significant compensation. 2. The source of the money to go on tour is relevant, but not prohibitive. Willie Nelson is/was adamant that every musician needs a very good Jewish lawyer (his words). Contracts and getting paid are extremely important to longevity, whether it be licensing or crafting a tour. 3. I don't see how this point genuinely contradicts the parent assertion. Making a living in music is difficult, it always has been, and adding one additional layer of overhead - a label - is simply that - another layer of overhead. It goes back to having a lawyer / manager / publicist - sure, paying them XX% might seem expensive, but the amount of money that can be obtained as a gross sum will, hopefully, be larger on the net take-home basis. Artists don't need labels - they need publicity. Labels have traditionally worked themselves into all sorts of publicity avenues such as...deep breath...rack jobbers - payola - 360 contract deals - ghost writing / manufacturing pop stars - digital rights management - pay-for-publicity on blogs...there are plenty of examples of labels creating successes and gambling on the small timers that they want to be successful. Now, Sony and Universal Music Group will sign distribution deals with labels for which they have no fiscal kick-back. It's a lesser known process, but essential for getting sh!t on the rack @ Best Buy (see: Macklemore). No, what artists need are equitable channels for distribution and competent management for business affairs. You like Chvrches? I like Chvrches a lot. I especially dig the Soundcloud hat Martin Doherty seems to wear non-stop in gratitude for it being their big break / ability to negotiate their own terms in the modern system...but what excites me the most is what Chance the Rapper is doing along with Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment. No label. Free release. Now what? Time will tell.