When Alli Starr stepped away from her band and went solo, she didn’t just change her sound-she changed how she reached her fans. No label. No middleman. No waiting for approval. Just her music, her rules, and a handful of smart distribution choices that turned her indie path into something real. This isn’t a fairy tale. It’s a roadmap. And it’s working.
Choosing the Right Digital Distributor
Alli didn’t pick Spotify or Apple Music first. She picked DistroKid is a digital music distribution service that lets independent artists upload and sell their music to major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, with unlimited releases and no annual fees. Also known as DistroKid, it was launched in 2013 and has since helped over 1 million artists distribute their music worldwide.. Why? Because she needed to put out music fast. No contracts. No limits. She dropped three singles in six weeks. Each one went live everywhere-Spotify, Apple, Tidal, YouTube Music-in under 48 hours. That speed matters when you’re building momentum. Other services like TuneCore or CD Baby charge per release or yearly fees. DistroKid’s flat $19.99/year fee let her release as much as she wanted. She didn’t have to choose what to put out. She just made it.
Building Her Own Storefront
She didn’t stop at streaming. Alli knew fans who love her music would pay for something more. So she built her own store using Bandcamp is a platform that allows independent artists to sell music, merchandise, and tickets directly to fans, with customizable pages and high revenue shares. Also known as Bandcamp, it was founded in 2008 and has paid over $1 billion directly to musicians since its launch.. Her Bandcamp page isn’t just a link. It’s a mini-website. It has liner notes, behind-the-scenes videos, limited-edition vinyl, and even handwritten thank-you notes in each package. She sells her EPs for $8, but fans can pay more if they want. Over 30% of her buyers choose to pay $15 or more. That’s not luck. That’s trust. Bandcamp lets artists keep 85% of sales. No middleman. No hidden cuts. That’s how she funds her next project-without begging for grants or loans.
Managing Her Own Royalties
Here’s where most solo artists get stuck: royalties. If you’re not signed, who collects your money? Alli registered with SoundExchange is a non-profit performance rights organization in the United States that collects and distributes digital performance royalties for recording artists and copyright owners. Also known as SoundExchange, it was established in 2000 and has distributed over $5 billion in royalties to artists and labels.. Why? Because streaming services pay royalties for plays-but only if you’re registered. She also signed up with ASCAP is a performing rights organization in the United States that licenses public performances of musical works and distributes royalties to songwriters and publishers. Also known as ASCAP, it was founded in 1914 and represents over 1.8 million songwriters and publishers. for songwriting royalties. That’s two separate systems. One for recordings. One for writing. She didn’t assume anything. She filed the paperwork. Now, every time her song plays on Pandora or a radio station, she gets paid. No one else collects it for her. She owns it.
Using Data to Guide Her Moves
Alli doesn’t guess what’s working. She looks. Every week, she checks her Spotify for Artists is a free analytics dashboard provided by Spotify that gives musicians insights into their listeners, geographic data, playlist placements, and streaming trends. Also known as Spotify for Artists, it was launched in 2015 and is used by over 5 million artists worldwide. dashboard. She sees where her listeners are-Portland, Austin, Berlin, Tokyo. She sees which songs get saved the most. She sees which playlists are adding her tracks. Last month, she noticed a spike in plays from a small town in Norway. She didn’t ignore it. She sent a handwritten postcard to 200 fans there. Included a free download code. Within two weeks, her play count in Norway jumped 300%. That’s the power of data + human touch.
Going Direct with Social Media
She doesn’t use agencies to manage her Instagram or TikTok. She posts herself. Every video, every story, every comment reply. She uses Linktree is a link-in-bio tool that allows users to create a single landing page with multiple links to their music, merchandise, social media, and events. Also known as Linktree, it was founded in 2018 and is used by over 40 million creators. to connect everything. Her bio links to her Bandcamp, her new single on Apple Music, her tour dates, and her Patreon. She doesn’t just post songs. She posts the story behind them. The 3 a.m. studio session. The broken guitar string. The fan who sent her a drawing. That’s what keeps people coming back. Not ads. Not influencers. Just her.
Why This Model Works for Solo Artists
Most labels want you to be part of a system. Alli built her own. She doesn’t need a team of five to make it happen. She uses tools that are cheap, clear, and designed for people like her. She owns her masters. She owns her fan list. She owns her income. And she’s not alone. Over 72% of artists releasing music independently in 2025 made more than $10,000 from direct sales and streaming, according to the Independent Music Companies Association is a global trade organization representing independent record labels and distributors, advocating for artist-owned music businesses. Also known as Indies, it was founded in 1991 and represents over 1,500 labels worldwide.. That’s not a fluke. It’s a shift. The old model-sign, wait, hope-is fading. The new one? Make it. Own it. Share it. Repeat.
What She Avoided
She turned down two label offers. One wanted her to re-record her last EP. The other wanted her to change her name. She didn’t say no because she was stubborn. She said no because she knew what she was protecting. Her sound. Her voice. Her identity. Labels often take 50-70% of revenue. They control release schedules. They own your masters. She didn’t want to be someone’s project. She wanted to be Alli Starr-exactly as she is.
| Tool | Primary Use | Cost | Artist Revenue Share | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DistroKid | Distributing music to streaming platforms | $19.99/year | 100% | Unlimited releases, fast turnaround |
| Bandcamp | Selling music and merch directly to fans | Free to list, 15% fee on sales | 85% | Direct fan connection, fan-paid upgrades |
| SoundExchange | Collecting digital performance royalties | Free to register | 100% | Pays for non-interactive streams (Pandora, SiriusXM) |
| ASCAP | Collecting songwriting royalties | $50 one-time fee | 100% | Collects for radio, TV, live performances |
| Spotify for Artists | Analytics and playlist pitching | Free | N/A | Real-time listener data, fan demographics |
How She Stays Sustainable
She doesn’t tour every month. She doesn’t need to. She has 12,000 monthly Spotify listeners. She sells 200 vinyl copies per release. She earns $1,200/month from streaming royalties. She makes $800/month from Bandcamp. She runs a $300/month Patreon with 87 members. That’s over $2,300 a month-enough to live on in Portland, cover studio time, and save for her next album. No debt. No investor pressure. Just steady, honest work.
What’s Next
She’s launching her own label next year-just for her. No other artists. Just a legal structure to protect her rights, manage her releases, and keep everything under one roof. She calls it Starr Sound Co. is an independent record label founded by Alli Starr to maintain full creative and financial control over her music releases. Also known as Starr Sound Co., it is set to launch in 2026.. It’s not about signing others. It’s about proving you don’t need a label to build something lasting.
Can independent artists really make money without a label?
Yes-more than ever. In 2025, independent artists collectively earned over $1.8 billion from streaming, direct sales, and royalties. Artists like Alli Starr prove that ownership beats exposure. With tools like DistroKid, Bandcamp, and SoundExchange, you can earn more per release than you would under a traditional label deal. The key is consistency and direct fan relationships.
Do I need to register with both ASCAP and SoundExchange?
Yes, if you’re a songwriter and a recording artist. ASCAP collects money when your song is played on radio, TV, or in live venues. SoundExchange collects money when your recording is streamed on non-interactive services like Pandora or SiriusXM. They’re two different rights. Missing one means leaving money on the table.
Is Bandcamp still relevant in 2026?
More than ever. Bandcamp’s 2025 report showed a 41% year-over-year increase in artist earnings. Fans pay more on Bandcamp than anywhere else because they’re buying directly from the artist. It’s the only platform that lets you sell vinyl, merch, and digital downloads in one place-with full control over pricing and packaging.
How do I get my music on Spotify as an independent artist?
Use a distributor like DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby. They submit your music to Spotify and other platforms on your behalf. You don’t apply directly to Spotify. Once your music is live, use Spotify for Artists to claim your profile, add bio, and pitch your songs to playlist curators.
What’s the biggest mistake solo artists make when going independent?
Waiting too long to claim their rights. Many artists release music for months or years before registering with SoundExchange or ASCAP. That means they miss out on royalties they’ve already earned. Register as soon as you have your first track ready. It’s free, simple, and critical.
Final Thought
Alli Starr didn’t become a star by chasing trends. She became herself. And in doing so, she built a career that’s entirely her own. No gatekeepers. No compromises. Just music, tools, and the courage to keep going-on her terms.
