Indie electronic artist Erin Rioux was approached last year by four different labels to put out his debut album of electro-psychedelia bedroom beats. Instead, he fashioned a DIY record label in his bedroom, got in touch with some friends and fared the New York industry solo.
He's since been put in a pool of 30 other musicians for a Grammy, been featured in popular TV shows like MTV's Skins, and is working a contract to score a feature length film, due out in 2015. He contracts shows and licensing deals worth thousands, is featured in a Google commercial and has an extensive fan and professional network to base his burgeoning career. And he did it all himself.
The self-taught multi instrumentalist claims the music business isn't what it used to be - and is opening up to a small community of creative entrepreneurs willing to learn, create and collaborate on the fly.
"You have to be really creative to create opportunities for yourself," says the artist, whose medley of tailored beats, pop leads and organic instrumentals combine the energy and hype of dance music with the feel of indie rock. "But, that challenge is what breeds the excitement of music today."
Instead of sharing nearly half of all his profits in exchange for professional recording contracts, PR campaigns and industry bookers, Rioux cultivates his business opportunities from bedroom production, independent networks, like PopGun, college friends whose careers are starting to take off and community collaborations with likeminded entrepreneurs - all through the magic of the internet, which has made it easier than ever to not only produce music, but distribute, market and make profits for a fraction of the cost.
"We're the kids who get to make the new industry. And that's exciting."
His latest, self-released EP - Come on All You Ghosts - is up for sale on ITunes and Amazon, and for free download on his website.
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