Here's the key, indisputable point that Kevin Barnes makes.

"If you're not some trust-fund kid or lotto winner, you've got to slave it out everyday. People who wanna be artists have the hardest time of it 'cause we are held up to these impossible standards. We're expected to die penniless and insane so that the people we have moved and entertained over the years can keep us to themselves. So that they can feel a personal and untarnished connection with our art. The second we try to earn a living wage or, god forbid, promote our art in the mainstream, we are placed under the knives of the sanctimonious indie fascists. Unfortunately, there isn't some grand umbrella grant that supports indie rockers financially and enables us to exist outside of the trappings of capitalism."

Too many Indie fans believe that the artists whose music they love somehow belong to them. Like the band is something they've purchased...like a sweater. The fact that they pay for their favorite artists' music or pay to attend their shows as part of the capitalist marketplace, and then cry "sellout" when these hardworking musicians try to turn a buck to feed their families is the ultimate irony. As an independent, totally self-supported artist myself, I think Barnes hit the nail on the proverbial head.

G.Rode AKA Mystikos Quintet

"Too many Indie fans believe that the artists whose music they love somehow belong to them. Like the band is something they've purchased...like a sweater. The fact that they pay for their favorite artists' music or pay to attend their shows as part of the capitalist marketplace, and then cry "sellout" when these hardworking musicians try to turn a buck to feed their families is the ultimate irony."

I agree. Also, I think some people like to "purchase" these bands because they want to belong to an exclusive group of people that they consider cool. When their commodity becomes mainstream, there's no longer a way for them to feel superior to others through this exclusivity. Superficial, pretentious, sheep/herd BS as far as I'm concerned. If you like it, listen to it (or play it) and don't try to define yourself by such things.

What is peoples' problem with "selling out." If you say you that if someone offered you a ton of money to use your music that you wouldn't accept, you sir are a liar. The world runs on money, not being an "independent artist."

I think "selling out" involves more than just making money from your art. When you use your talents to earn a living that's terrific. Art is all about communication, reaching an audience -- someone to listen to your music, look at your art, read your book. If a company feels that your music or lyrics or whatever reaches their audience, then why wouldn't they want to buy your stuff?

And if you don't like the buyer, then you can choose not to sell. Maybe selling out is about not caring how your work is used, selling it to anyone for any reason, only chasing the money. If I took a big-money gig doing PR for RJ Reynolds trying to convince kids to buy cigarettes, then I'd have sold out.

I certainly don't think of it selling out but more making a living doing what you love to do. I enjoy hearing some of my favorites pop up on commercials because I want more people to hear good music. The fact that there are only like 4 companies that run all radio they never get a chance to be heard by more people. I want people to buy these artists albums and support a more diverse musical catalog instead of what ever top 40 radio says we should listen to.