Say Hi, the musical project of Seattle multi-instrumentalist Eric Elbogen, has come to an end after 15 years of mostly positive critical reception and middling commercial success. While Elbogen’s relatively small yet steadfast fan base may be crestfallen, other readers may be asking, “Say who?” That dichotomy summarizes the predicament of today’s independent musician.
These days, even the artists who record for solvent labels and who’ve racked up a fair amount of media attention and licensing deals struggle to make a living—or even a partial living. While the glut of music gushing forth from manifold online and meat-space outlets allows for anyone with electricity to have a platform, it also conspires against anyone but the best-looking, best-bankrolled acts from attracting an audience.
