Younationwide/Musicnationwide

The digital music phenomenon, which appears to be leveling the playing field between independent and major artists, affects music consumers as much as it affects those inside the industry. Those who are used to discovering new music on the radio may soon find themselves listening to a podcast, hearing about the next big independent band through the internet. The diversity in music that consumers can discover is now virtually unlimited, and with digital outlets favoring more than simply the four major record labels, consumers are gaining access to a new music market. This new market is one where major-label artists are just as accessible as local garage bands, which means consumers in general are becoming more exposed to quality independent artists than ever before, and better yet they don’t have to wait in the long line to audition at American Idol.