Regarding The Indie Music Community

Here are some thoughts regarding the indie music community which has layers that are deep and complex. They run the gamut from curious enthusiasts to full-time committed artists. They come in all styles, personas, and genres. And they support each other.

I still consider myself a low to mid-level member of the Indie Music Community, so my take is not from an expert perspective per se, but I will gladly share with you what I know and what my experience has been so far.

I tried to engage in the online game a few years back but found it difficult to find traction in any measurable way. I blamed my music for not being what people wanted to hear, or perhaps my production level was not quite up to par. The majority of anyone willing to follow me were either bots (I did not know it at the time) or people wanting to make money off of my music by "helping" me to "promote" it. I saw through the latter pretty quickly and thankfully at no expense. When you see posts saying "I need new music" or any variation of that... buyer beware.

Although that may ring as a stark warning, within the last year, I found an indie music community that seemed to come out of nowhere, at least from my limited perspective. It is a positive environment and worth the effort to be part of it. And it does take some effort.

Where You At?

Come to the table with an honest sense of where you are in your musical journey. Are you completely new; just taking up your first instrument? Are you starting to learn other people's music and want to share your progress and take on popular songs? Are you dabbling in writing your first compositions? Are you just beginning to build a home studio? Or are you a full-blown writer/performer/composer/producer? If you are one of the last two, it is possible you know more about this than I do, but I'm working on it.

Knowing this will help you seek out the right community members who will relate to your current path in your musical journey. Start following them and engage in their posts.

Where You Going?

If you are looking to go beyond your current path, look for those that are on your next level and start following and engaging with them. Nothing helps you grow more than hanging with people who are on another level than yourself. If you are happy where you are, then keep on being happy and enjoy, there is support out here for you too.

The Effort

The Indie Music scene is, for the most part, a community. And they will support you if you show up with the same support in return. Showing up with the expectation that you're the next "it" will quickly disappoint you. Showing up with the same energy fostered in the community will reap positive results.

There is no rule that it has to be constant, but you are expected to contribute at some level. If you show up at a party, eat all the food, and drink all the drinks but offer nothing more, you will quickly not be invited to more parties. If you show up occasionally with contributions, you will be on the list for the next parties.

Contributions include commenting on posts, sharing posts, tagging other community members, going to listening parties, attending indie music live shows, and more. Collaborations with community members can be part of it once you make some solid connections. When you become a contributor, the community often responds in kind.

It can take time, so be patient. Technically, I still don't have an abundance of followers and I am ok with that. I want followers that want to follow me not just a number.

I go back and forth between being an active contributor and being a quiet observer. Usually, the latter is because I am busy with life, work, and music projects. And that is ok. Let's be honest, there is only so much time in a day.

There is no rule that says if you don't contribute at all times, you will be ostracized, but if you think you will just self-promote without reciprocation, you will have a much steeper hill to climb. I'm always surprised at how many show up with that very attitude. Engage in the community. There are plenty of opportunities that it offers if you come with the right attitude. And that is true at any level of your desire or passion for music.

The Community

My experience with the community started at the end of 2023. I started seeing posts about "doing the thing" to submit your music to a daily show called The Indie Music Hunt. I ignored it at first because I thought it was just another "I need new music" kind of thing. But after seeing it often enough, it became clear there was something different about these posts.

I found this community on X, which I like to call twiXter. It is not the only community. There are tendrils in Discord, Twitch, YouTube, and BlueSky as well. I have met people now from other communities that share the indie music passion and it is a supportive group of like-minded people who want to share and support their creativity. Over time we end up following each other and thus the community broadens.

Since I found that first community, my place there has broadened. It has led to my music and videos being played, seen, and heard on live-streaming shows, added to playlists and I have an interview scheduled on one of the shows at the beginning of the new year.

Do not expect to find a place to launch your career into the musical stratosphere, though. Plenty of musicians and artists here in the community could qualify for that possibility, but the world that makes that possible is often a bridge too far. The community itself is not a ramp for that. That ramp is a whole different conversation and path. The community is a place for sharing your passion for music at whatever level you are or want to go. There are many cool, talented, knowledgeable, and supportive artists here, and you must put in some effort to be a part of it, to be a member.

A Handful of Callouts

Here are some artists, curators, and/or hosts that you could look up and follow if you choose to check out the indie music community.

• Darren Lee Richardson (that's me)

  • Although I don't consider myself a main player, I do follow many of them and I do participate in many of their indie events as life permits. Following me could get you to see more in your feeds from other community members.

  • Subscribe to my website at the bottom of my home page.

  • twiXter

  • Facebook

  • Bandcamp

  • YouTube

• Dino DiMuro

  • Dino is one of the most interesting artists in the community. Along with his amazing catalog of unique and original compositions, he does a lot of great collaborations with other indie artists, including myself. He has a new CD coming in 2025 called, Machine, which includes a new song we did together plus other indie artist collaborators like Jim France, John Serrano, and Rob Steadman.

  • twiXter

  • Bandcamp

  • YouTube

• John Woodson (Only The Host)

  • John was the host of the The Indie Music Hunt daily indie music show which pulled me into the community and he also has amazing music that you should check out. His passion and drive to unite the community are far and above most. Although he no longer does that show, he does co-host on other community shows. He is always posting and sharing other artists and events, so following him could help you see who is part of the community.

  • twiXter

  • Spotify

  • Bandcamp

  • YouTube

  • Indie Artist Playlist (check this out to see a large sample of indie artist music out there)

• James Allan Stellar (Clysmic Band)

  • James is a great indie music supporter and a leader in the community as well as a staunch musical artist. He does his own live shows on YouTube, Twitch, and Discord where he shares indie artist's music and talks about music and whatever he wants. He has teamed up with John Woodson (Only The Host) in his shows.

  • twiXter

  • Bandcamp

  • Spotify

  • YouTube

• DOC

  • DOC has an online music review program called, Doc Did It, where he listens to indie artists live and gives great feedback for all levels of artists. He also does a full review show as well. You should follow him and ask him more about that. And, of course, he is a consummate professional indie artist as well.

  • twiXter

  • Bandcamp

  • Spotify

  • YouTube

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