Add Counting Crows to the list of bands that have decided to throw their hat in and test the waters of the internet. They to ended their eighteen-year label relationship with Geffen Records (now part of Universal Music Group), lead singer Adam Duritz says on the band’s website .

They join ex label bands such as Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails, who also decided to don their life jackets and jump ship.  I am sure many others will follow as the internet opens the doors to new technologies and opportunities to reach fans.

Duritz  says the band will go it alone stating on the site, “the internet opens a world of limitless possibility, where the only boundaries are the boundaries of your own imagination.”

Like many record labels, UMG didn’t think it would be in the best interest of the label for them to explore those boundaries.

Duritz added, “Unfortunately, the directions we want to go and the opportunities we want to pursue are often things that our label is simply not allowed to do.”

As major record label run out of creative ideas and push artists to 360 deals to offset falling CD sales, many artists will look to other innovations in technology.

I think it is good news for fans, creative entrepreneurs and the independents of the indie artist movement. I look forward to being a music fan in the coming years.