A few weeks ago, Omaha indie band Bad Self Portraits released the title track from their upcoming debut album, I Think I’m Going to Hell. As much as I dug the song (and the previous two singles from the album), it was the PR blast for the single that caught my attention. The press release focused as much on the steps the band is taking to get heard as it did the single itself.
Those steps include signing with Wichita-based nonprofit Midtopia, a self-described alternative to the current music industry models, rooted in a DIY ethic.
“(We provide) resources, training, and tools that help independent musicians navigate the unique challenges of a rapidly changing music industry,” says their website. “At Midtopia, independence, community, and sustainability come first. From artist services to youth music programs, vinyl revolutions to immersive festivals, we’re flipping the script on how music gets made, shared, and supported. As a nonprofit, any revenue generated goes straight back to the artists.”…