CREDIT: LONDONFUSE.CA
Tim Fraser, a Fanshawe Music Industry Arts graduate, is co-founder of Trackfire Studios and also founded Murdoch Music Management.

I write about random things a lot. I write a lot about random things. At Fanshawe, February melts quickly into March — Family Day has passed and with Reading Week mere days away, this month is already in the books.

There is no finer brain food for college-bound musicians than the quiet planning that begins with the arrival of spring; personal schedules become a point of heavy discussion, instruments are awoken from hibernation and tested, and in many cases, thoughts begin to drift to next steps and musical growth.

There are a number of powerful tools online that can be useful to bands to broadcast their music content, however if you find yourself considering online streaming or purchasing services, you may be overshooting your goals. In reality, regardless of your popularity, the days of making money off of your music may yet be a ways off.

Digital service providers (DSPs) are companies that provide an outlet to share and distribute media content online. Functionality, design and scope may change drastically between different services, however the core principle is the same. Wellknown DSPs include iTunes, Songza and even YouTube. As fans, we have a lot of options in how we interact with music, but sadly the same can't be said for bands.

“Most of them won't accept unsolicited material,” explained Tim Fraser, a London music industry consultant and founder of Murdoch Music Management. “Indie bands can't simply submit their music to iTunes, for example — you have to go through TuneCore or have a registered partner like a label submit it on your behalf.”

A Music Industry Arts graduate, touring musician and digital music marketer, Fraser has a broad range of industry experience in addition to a place of distinction in the local music scene — he was a member of the notable London band Angry Agency and co-founded Trackfire Studios with one of his bandmates.

According to Fraser, major providers like Spotify and Rdio don't exactly work on the DIY level — as an unsigned act, the best way of getting your music out there is to use networks with the idea of sharing in mind.

“Unless you can get a ‘Gangnam Style' or a Walk Off The Earth sort of video, where you're getting one to two million views, it's pretty tough to garner any money from DSPs,” he said, pointing out that even on YouTube, users aren't able to see a return on their content until it reaches one million views.

As ever, the art of music for independent bands remains a labour of love. For the time being, digital service providers are a more powerful tool for fans looking to show support for their favourite artists than for indie artists looking to share their music.

The ongoing challenge for musicians is getting people to listen to their music, so as you begin to make your plans for your music the moment that finals finish in April, just make sure that you're working on something you love — your best advantage in getting your sound out is to make a strong impression on your audience and inspire them to put the message out for you.

For bands interested in monetizing their music, the best tools currently available are BandCamp and NoiseTrade. They make it easy for bands to navigate the process of providing their music and are a reliable platform with which to collect funds.

For more on Fraser, music industry management and consulting or more, follow him on Twitter @murdochmusicmgt. There are few sources of reliable information out there when it comes to the day-to-day grind of the industry, and Fraser is a welcome source of knowledge.

And for more of the latest music news, views and perspectives, consider following this column on Twitter @fsu_bobbyisms. Have a great Reading Week, here's hoping it's full of great music and that the thought of finishing another school year can sustain you for another eight weeks! I'm out of words.