[head_stomp]

According to every small-time musician I've spoken to, piracy energized the indie music scene. In particular, I have a lack of anecdotes about Boston.

This is because how piracy changes the behavior of consumers toward searching for music rather than selecting from within a walled garden created by the major labels and distributors. The ability to experience being the "next big thing" along with the attendant fame and fortune, is what motivated many bands to get together and play and this is now available to more people than ever. These days the "next big thing" is starting to show signs of catching on when its music is pirated and all over BitTorrent. An incredible number of people can now have concert and T-shirt sales to support themselves or supplement some other income. More than ever can now play their music while putting food on the table. To most musicians, a "major label" isn't the only way to make a living with your music.

It also brings the quality of music down of the major labels who, hilariously, resort to "sure bets" like Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, or Justin Bieber. If the major labels keep this up either they'll lose their jobs, or change their economics in a way that incentives consumers to patronize them. Most can't achieve the critical mass that they used to and so most people's conception of what music is is no longer disproportionately influenced by the formulaic "sure bet" acts.

So support your local musicians. Search out new music. Go see them. Have fun.