This is a topic that I feel very close to, since I depend on my work as a disk jockey as I would a second job. My work is done using a program called SAM Broadcaster to send streaming audio to a large server that then streams my broadcast to listeners all over the world. This is achieved using the internet in a way that I never dreamed possible as an intern at K-LITE radio at the age of 15.

Back then, the same process was achieved using satellite signals and a rather large dish. When sun spots would interfere with the transmission, we relied on someone constantly at the station to run the board should the signal die down. Internet radio has been around for years, though now more than ever it is a possibility for virtually anyone to pick up the hobby and share their mixes, creations, and shows with the world.

Thanks to Second Life, musicians are also finding themselves suddenly able to perform in front of an audience of 40-100 people with a moment’s notice. These performances allow music lovers to enjoy a virtualized feeling of going to a live show without the expense to both the artist and the listener of traveling to concert locations. An artist can share their music in a live way with people all over the world at a cost near zero.

Musicians can share their music on websites like The 61, and sell their work on iTunes and through other online vendors. Total costs to the artist again, next to nothing.

Whatever your feelings on virtual worlds, online music sales, DRM, or music in general is, there is no question that creativity and the independent artists are beginning to see the benefits of the internet in several ways.