The professional network of independent musicians

This thesis aims at establishing a quantitative mapping of independent musicians’ work practices regarding outsourcing different functions related to their music. Digitization has transformed the music industry at large mainly by impacting the traditional value chain of music production, distribution and promotion. In theory, musicians without major label support are now able to enter the market freely and take advantage of digital tools to cut out intermediaries and professionals. By asking how digitization has changed the functions related to music production, distribution and promotion for independent musicians, this thesis attempts to establish which functions remain outsourced at this point in time. Testing hypotheses based on existing literature about independent musicians, the results indicate that outsourcing remains to be associated with higher levels of activity and success and that musicians still mainly outsource tasks related to the production of their core product, the recorded music. The results also indicate that DIY practices are still associated with smallscale music production. An online survey of 120 independent musicians formed the basis of these findings.