Technology is definitely far beyond all of us on plans for world domination, seeing as it is the most powerful tool out there.  And when looking at it in terms of music, it’s the all-time boss.

In this day and age, knowing how to use technology—everything from digital recorders, editing devices, and digital publishing (i.e. the internet)—is a staple in getting your name out there.  While some musicians may snub their noses at it, the truth is you need it to make it in today’s music world.

With the rise in the usage of sites like MySpace.com and personal websites, musicians can simply create a page, download some of their music, throw it online,  and in a matter of hours you can have hundreds of views and suddenly people know your name. 

Does this mean that record labels are going to be banging down your door simply because you’ve got a website? 

No. Not necessarily. 

But it’s a nice start to developing the fan base that may someday be creating your paycheck. 

Like with any debate on technology, you’re bound to get a bit of the pros and cons thrown at you when you ask the opinion of a musician on their beliefs. 

“You take away from the musicianship when you add a technological aspect,” an aspiring songwriter explained when prompted with this specific question.  “However, you can get a broader aspect if you use technology to modify your music, giving you the ability to make it your own.”

Most importantly, though, living in the digital age that we do live in, denying that technology and more specifically, the internet, do not play a huge role in the how, when, and at what level a musician’s music gets heard, is not only a blatant lie, but it’s purely asinine.  Nearly everyone owns an ipod, mp3 player, or at least listens to music on their computers.  At the click of a button you can log online, put in an unknown’s name and within seconds you’ve got every song they’ve ever put out and magically, Mr. Nobody, has a fan.  And if the word spreads—which, with music it usually does—suddenly you’ve got lots of fans.    

Many artists, including big named bands, such as Radiohead, are even relying on the powers of the internet and its technology to sell their albums.  Aron Watman, from indie-rock group The Velocet explained it best when saying that there is little to no money in album sales. 

Everyone is taking it right off the internet.  To the point where there may as well be a new record label strictly called Internet Records because that’s where most of it is coming from.  Technology may be the best tool to know how to use if you want to make it in this musical world.

             Be nice to it, and it’ll be very good to you.