Pitchfork

Do-good not-for-profit the Future of Music Coalition, long known for championing the causes of independent musicians, has launched Rock the Net, a campaign designed to help Massachusetts Democratic Representative Edward Markey's fight for net neutrality on Capitol Hill.

The initiative is backed by a slew of labels, fans, and, of course, bands. Founding supporters include Ted Leo, Death Cab for Cutie, Calexico, the Donnas, the Wrens, Kathleen Hanna, Jimmy Tamborello, the Locust, Bob Mould, Boots Riley of the Coup, R.E.M., Kronos Quartet, Rogue Wave, John Doe, and many, many more. New bands and labels are joining every day; right now, they're up to 256 bands and 59 labels.

Given the web's penchant for subjectivity, bias, and "Which Laguna Beach Girl Are You?" quizzes, the concept of net neutrality can be confounding. Here's a primer on what exactly the FMC is raging against: the big telecommunications interests would very much like to collect money from webhosts in exchange for higher bandwidth, making those sites that could afford it lightning fast and those who couldn't deathly slow.

Thus far the internet's been a real playing-field-leveler for folks on a shoestring budget (ahem); record sales notwithstanding, the web's allowed no reason why Wooden Wand couldn't conceivably enjoy the same kind of online presence as Akon. But with major-label money thrown into purchasing bandwidth, the tables would turn toward those with mad cash-- not unlike television and radio. Hence the uproar.

In a March 27 teleconference, Rep. Markey-- joined by loveable loudmouth Leo, CD Baby founder Derek Sivers, and FMC executive director/musician Jenny Toomey-- detailed Rock the Net's involvement in his own proposals. Markey, chair of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, is seeking to craft legislation that would keep this bandwidth-borne payola from becoming reality, and swears that help from Rock the Net and its cadre of conscientious artists will be invaluable.

Mr. Leo, taking the role of eloquent elder spokesman, chimed in that "the ability for a musician in my position to actually reach people is entirely wrapped up in the concept of a network...in the past, of course, it was infinitely more difficult to do this...what we've seen-- in really the last five years but even in the last decade-- has been an incredible flowering of independent music's ability to reach the people who are not just willing but interested to hear it." Leo pointed to the increased difficulty this kind of artist-centric networking would face were the telecom companies successful in their aims.

For additional information on Rock the Net's goals, artists and events-- and to find out how you can help-- check out the initiative's website. Sign the petition, or be prepared to have to wait hours to get your favorite band's website to load.