Take Note - Give diversity a chance

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Independent music is good stuff. Really. I know some of it out there is unrefined, hard-to-listen-to noise, but much of it is actually quality stuff.

The problem is, many people don't know it.

It's not that people necessarily hate the independent music they've heard; it's more that they've never even given it a chance. Some might be scared of the new and different, constantly favoring only the styles they've become comfortable with or artists that they've already heard.

Because of this lack of attention shown to the unknown, quality upcoming bands often get overlooked for acts that simply fit into the norm. Diversity is thrown out the window and potential radio reform is lost. Unnoticed bands eventually disappear. This is a terrible reality to me - all in the name of homogenization (and money, of course, but that point has been beaten to a pulp).

Consider that concept for a moment: homogenization. It would seem that people favor heavy loads of the same old stuff day in and day out over diversity according to what major companies offer us. Maybe people would actually open up to new things if they just had the selection. And isn't that what consumers prize anyway? Selection is good for the customer, but potentially bad for the major corporation. They simply want stuff that will compliment something they've already got to sell. Maybe they'll welcome something new every 10 years or so to revamp their brand, but that's about it.

So, if selection is such a sought-after thing by the customer, why don't brands accommodate? Why do we get the same old stuff every time something supposedly "new" is offered? Many new bands come out sounding exactly the same.

Would you eat the same food for every meal, every single day, for every month out of the year? I'd guess probably not. That'd get quite mundane and hard to enjoy if you ask me. Should music be any different? Independent, new bands provide the diversity you need to stay sane.

Independent bands are those unique people you see only once in a great while walking down the street amongst the style-clones and look-alikes: those people who have the slightly unique facial structure, unique clothes or maybe blue eyes with black hair.

Their uniqueness is interesting to look at. Their uniqueness makes them a draw.

People now too often base the quality of a band on whether or not they have sold a million records or more and whether or not they have a major label backing. This needs to stop. Don't let the record companies do all the decision making for you. Don't let Amazon.com tell you what music you'd like. Investigate on your own.

Check out WMTU here at Tech and Web sites like Garageband.com that offer rich volumes of independent music. It'll add some diversity and much-needed life to your existence.

I doubt you'll regret it. That and they're both free.