1. To get better music. High quality music often takes a backseat to music that can be easily mass marketed for maximum profit. By supporting high quality Independent Artists you'll help bring a lot more great music to the masses.

2. To provide fair access. Access to performance and promotion outlets is blocked by the exorbitant cost of mass media. Even the reduced costs of alternative media still involves significant financial investments.

3. The challenge in supporting independent artists is finding and patronizing artists whose work you admire and find worthwhile. The joy in doing so is in circumventing an art culture that rewards savvy marketing but punishes artistic innovation. The effect of supporting independent artists is to feed the culture with new ideas, forms and aesthetics. There is nothing more fundamental to positive change than that. To support independent artists, you can buy art directly, donate to an arts organization or help raise awareness about independent art.

4. To give great artists a fighting chance.  We see so many great artists who spend their lives perfecting their music for others to enjoy. In the meantime, their efforts go unnoticed because promotional outlets are clogged with so many "flavor-of-the-month" artists. Your support helps get promotional access for experienced artists. 
Independent acts rely mainly on the consistent support of fans to continue to create their art, earn a living and get the word out, as opposed to Major label artists who have the financial and marketing backing of a corporation or corporations. Please support Independent artists and don't wait for them to get at Major deal or become 'famous' to show your support. Buy their music now, spread the word now and attend shows if they do them, donate. Some artists may have the chance to see if a Major label home is the right one for them, but many will not or will chose not to go down that path for various reasons. The Independaent career path is a legitimate choice, just like the one of going the Major label route. A Major label deal does not validate talent and takes everything the artist has worked hard for.