Who needs record companies?
CNN.com has an interesting article on the reunited Pixies and their approach to the record industry the second time around. Basically, the band, which has no new album to shop around, is avoiding record companies altogether. They are choosing to make money selling concert tickets, t-shirts and cds of their live shows (at their live shows).

Of this more low-key strategy, Black Francis (speaking as Charles Thompson in the CNN piece) says, "It's a revenue stream...I'm not saying we could sell lots of records if we sold them out of our garage or the Internet, but you know what? We might. It's a crazy time." He later adds, "We're in a situation where we don't have to make records anymore to be asked to go into a studio and make music. Because of all the cross-marketing that goes on these days, it's like everyone's getting called to make songs for a movie, or for a web site, or a commercial."

I think it is great to 1) see the Pixies back together and touring and 2) see a band with as much credibility and popularity as the Pixies choosing to ignore the major labels. I think more artists of their stature should follow their (and Prince's) lead to produce and distribute their own music. After all, if the bands already have the fanbase and an internet presence, what do they need the labels for anyway?