Smackdown: Music Is My Day Job vs. Digital Music News

In “The DIY Utopia,” Digital Music News editor Paul Resnikoff takes on the idea that independent artists can earn a living from being a full-time musician. I do not mind that he is asking questions about the economic viability of the do-it-yourself model, nor do I take specific issue with his reluctance to make predictions on what the evolution from the major-label machine to DIY will have on the industry and music marketplace in general. However, what irritates me about this particular commentary (and prompted this response) is his obliviousness to the existence today of so many successful independent musicians who were not signed at one time or another to a major label…