If you've got a second, it'd really behoove you to read this plain english breakdown of how buying (technically leasing) music from itunes (or any other online store) as opposed to buying the physical CD actually results in the artist receiving almost 85% less in total revenue. I learned a good deal.

[you know you want to read it]

And also this really hot addendum of sorts that details many non-major-label avenues an independent artist can take. Really fascinating stuff.

[hey, and this one too]