Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What exactly is "indie" music?

A: Indie (or independent) music is simply music that is created, produced and distributed outside of the conventional record industry. For every artist that gets played on commercial radio there are literally hundreds that don't, many of whom are equally good but simply didn't have the right break (or the right connections). Then again, many musicians increasingly choose to work outside of the mainstream for various reasons. Regardless of the circumstance, much of this music is as good or better than what you'll hon the radio or find in a record store. The bottom line is this: if we don't love it, you won't find it here.

Q. I've never heard of any of these bands. How do I know where to begin?

A: Every Lost Cat artist is identified by a particular genre or style of music, so if you enjoy, say, folk music, you can visit the "folk" category of our catalog and start there. We also identify artists by who they sound like. While this is a little unpopular with the artists (everyone wants to sound like themselves, not be compared to someone else) we do it to give our customers a better idea of the kind of music they are purchasing. Another good option is to buy our "picks" sampler CD, which is specially priced and contains a sampling of some of our favorite artists in various genres. Then, if you like a song by a particular artist, you can always come back and check out more of what they have to offer. Finally, our CD ordering system lets you listen to a number of tracks for free so you can hear what you're getting before you buy.

Q. I can go on other sites and find indie music for free. Why should I pay for it here?

A: Almost every artist we work with has, at one time or another, posted music on one or more of the free sites in an attempt to "get it heard." While this works fine for listeners, however, it doesn't really help the musicians themselves. If you purchase indie music for no other reason, you should do so because it's an opportunity to directly help support the musicians who make it and deserve to be compensated for their efforts.