independents vs netlabels?

[holden]

Hey folks!

So, there are several of you that post around here that have actually released your music to a broader audience. I need you advise and/or opinions!

Though it's a bit of a laugh, i am now actively shopping my music to small independent labels specializing in experimental electronic or straight-up dance. There are hundreds of labels, many defunct or foreign, so it's hard to know their reputation for helpfulness, release schedule, or sometimes even their preferred style. But who knows, maybe someone will bite. It's a niche market, and i have absolutely NO delusions of "Making it big" or making any money out of this. Really, i'd just like to take some of my better tracks and have a physical result that more than a dozen or so people actuallty might hear.

On the other hand, there are hundreds upon hundreds of "netlabels", many releasing really excellent free electronic music as mp3 or lossless, under the creative commons license. They provide the hosting, maybe a bit of promo to other online distributors/archive.org, and perhaps a lil artwork. But many others are kinda unprofessional and totally obscure.
Quick and easy, but it is all sort of "virtual". I'm quite in to having a physical version of music, although i'll admit that runs counter to the mp3 culture and the fact that the record industry is kaput. i guess if the intent is just to have your music heard, it's great.

So, what do you think, if i had to choose between finding an indie or DIY on a netlabel? Can you help me further consider the pros and cons?

Cheers,
holden