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The term "unsigned artist" is used in the music industry to refer to a singer, songwriter, musician, or band that has no affiliation with a record label. Many unsigned artists sell their music and music-related merchandise without the financial support of a record label, while often seeking a recording contract through the recording of demos. The difference between an unsigned artist and an aspiring artist is that aspiring artists in most cases do not sell their music commercially. Recently, the internet has helped promote independent artistic material. Artists tend to post their music on websites such as MySpace, http://www.IndieMusicCentral.com , ILike and yourdub, and sometimes have their music played on podcast shows like Kooba Radio, Tom Robinson, Indie Launchpad and Low Slung. In recent times, artists such as Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead, who once had major label record deals, have started to release their music independently.

Notable unsigned artists

• Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Indie rock band (have a distribution deal with Wichita Records, but are not signed to the label)
• Cymbals Eat Guitars, Indie rock band
• Faithless, seminal British trip-hop ensemble
• fun., indie rock band. Currently have a distribution deal with Nettwerk Records, but are not signed to the label
• Adil Omar, hip-hop artist. Has currently gained online prescence and appeared on numerous songs with Cypress Hill, Penn Jillette and others but has remained unsigned as of yet.
• Koopa and Mesh-29, the only two unsigned bands to have a UK Singles Charting hit.
• Metric, indie rock band, currently have a distribution deal with Last Gang Records but are not signed to the label
• Nine Inch Nails, formerly of Interscope Records
• Radiohead, formerly of Parlophone Records. Currently have a distribution deal with TBD Records but are not signed to the label.
• Smashing Pumpkins, formerly of Reprise Records.
• We Are The Ocean, Post-Hardcore band from London.
• Marilyn Manson, formerly of Interscope Records and Nothing.