Keytone is new Australian site that’s stepped up the game for digital distribution. As well as music, it covers video, photography and soon eBooks, graphics, animation, art, sculpture - anything creative can be sold through www.keytone.com. Its business model allows the artist/performer to make 85% on the revenue.

It claims this deal outperforms any other digital outlet deals for the artist online today. Evidence suggests that people will pay for music (and other media) if the price is fair and their money goes to the artist.

Keytone is free to join, involves no contracts, set up fees, options for punters that don’t have a credit card with the benefits of an online social networking site. Check it out now!

Launched on October 18, 2000 and due to Indent's success, its funding has been extended until 2009. Indent receives core funding from New South Wales Ministry for the Arts.

The site offers an extensive range of resources for young musicians. Particularly instructive is its comprehensive Resources section listing events, organisations and industry news sites.

The most practical for many young musicians are its downloadable PDF facts sheets on:

Fresh faced challenger to Harmony-Central's position on the net comes Hitsquad Musician Network. It claims a gateway to over 6500 music software downloads, news and resources for guitarists, musician tutorials.

With a more contemporary look and easier navigation than other all-in-one sites, Hitsquad Musician Network makes it easy and fun to access its goodies.

This is a useful 14-page PDF document with live links to local websites for Music News and employment opportunities.

Part of the FReeZA program managed by the Office for Youth, within the Victorian State Department of Planning and Community Development, the document surveys opportunities in record companies, music retail stores, general music industry, arts industry and many other opportunities.

It is well edited and readable, if not updateable. Definitely a good tip sheet to day-job style employment in the local music industry.

MusicBizAustralia was set up by Australian musicians for Australian musicians and for those with an interest in the Australian music scene.

It pitches its content broadly to musicians at all levels from young music students to professionals.

Among its resources are its extensive Directory of links to all things involved with Australian performers and their music, a detailed gig guide, and original articles contributed by musicians each month on some aspect of their music (Point of View).

Definitely worth registering if you are local musician (struggling or otherwise).

David Byrne's Survival Strategies for Emerging Artists — and Megastars (Wired, December 2007)

1. The equity deal where every aspect of the artist's career is handled by producers, promoters, marketing people, and managers. Examples include Pussycat Dolls, Korn, and Robbie Williams.
2. Standard distribution deal: This was the dominant approach. The record company bankrolls the recording and handles the manufacturing, distribution, press, and promotion. The artist gets a royalty percentage (about 10%) after all other costs are repaid. The label owns the copyright to the recording. Forever.