Much of the music I buy now is from Independant artists, frequently at their performances.
The old record companies are no longer the “Gatekeeper” for music, just as newspapers and the networks are no longer the “Gatekeeper” for news.
The RIAA knew this was coming over a decade ago, when they attempted to sue the original MP3.com Indie site out of existance.
Yes they have piracy, but more than that - they now lack the ability to prevent a deluge of new artists from oversaturating the market.
The old days are never coming back.
The RIAA is trying to demand that all cellphones contain an FM radio (to compete with Pandora which suggests musicians a listener may like based on other preferences).
The public keeps leaving the plantation to go live independently and the suits are getting nervous that they will lose their cushy jobs.