Claire, I am in the same boat...or at least a similar one...in that I have just released a cd. There is tons of information around. While much of it is geared to the future Dave Matthews Bands, the principals are pretty sound. It really comes down to one thing...marketing your music in a way that people will stop and take the time to listen. Right or wrong, this has little bearing on the talent of the band or performer.

One place for a list of hints (maybe 50-60 topics) is www.cdbaby.com. They are geared toward independent musicians. In the Sell Your CD section, there is lots of useful info. There are some excellent suggestion on how to put your fans to work for you in a very postive way... both you and the fans benefit.

Next, buy a copy of the Indie Bible...this tome lists by genre radio stations/shows, magazines that accept submissions for reviews, web sites, etc. It is all over the internet...Amazon etc.   Get the info into a database (I am using ACT) and generate emails, letters, etc. And be clever to get them to take the time to listen.

Check out www.sonicbids.com. For a $50/year subscription you can easily create an electronic press kit with bios, photos, sound clips, reviews, calendars, etc. which can be emailed to people - even while you have them on the phone. If you have everything, it takes about 20 minutes. I used Musicmatch to make the sound clips.

BTW, do you have a website? If so, you neglected to mention it in your post above. (mine is www.dwditty.com ) Direct people to your website. Take pictures of your fans from the stage and post them there, telling them they can go see themselves...they will tell everyone the know and give them your url. (BTW, my site is hosted by a musicians cooperative in Albuquerque...pm me for details if you are interested)

In other words, create a buzz. If you find this goes against your artistic grain, hire someone to do it. The odds are too stacked against people making it on talent alone anymore...sad, but true.

All that being said....I could sure use some suggestions too.

dw