I've been doing kirtan, chanting in Hindu, Buddhist traditions. I haven't analyzed why atheistic me would want to do it. Beyond the fact that wolves and humans like to howl at the moon in packs, anyway.

Regarding getting "discovered", I think invoking the "industry" is one of the worst things that can happen to a musician. I watch the Voice, and I believe the people who get exposure, but don't win, and get roped into a recording contract, with managers the demands of labels, are the true winners. I've seen a couple of former contestants, and what they wound up with were careers. Sometimes winners can ride the wave of fame successfully, but I think it also hurts some, maybe most (?), of them.