Pat sez, "Natalie Merchant has completely severed her relationship with the commercial recording industry. Her new album, to be released this June, won't be released by a major label, but on her own independent imprint through her website."
They expect fans to learn about the album from Ms. Merchant's Web site and through publicity and a small advertising campaign. To gauge demand, they may offer fans who order the CD in advance a downloadable file of a song from the sessions that is not included on the album. In an increasingly consolidated retail business, a handful of chain stores, like Borders and Barnes & Noble, have accounted for a large percentage of Ms. Merchant's sales in the past; now her label is approaching them directly.
"I don't know that every artist has the capability to go directly to these chains, but Natalie has a history," Mr. Smith said.
(Thanks, Pat!) (via What Do I Know)
