Fledgling artists should find outlets online.

“All artists should leave no stone unturned. Try everything until something works. Then try some more things.”

This is the key objective of the incoming chairperson of the Seychelles Musicians Association (Lanmizik San Frontyer) to encourage more local artists to think about promoting themselves and their work on the Internet.

“A presentation on the Internet requires little commitment in terms of time and money. So why not include it in the career toolkit?” argues Basil Bouchereau.

Whilst many present day artists are labouring to promote their names and songs, the WWW is an option to market their hatchling careers directly to music fans all over the world.

“Today without having to export their CDs, Seychellois artists can reach people from all corners of the world. This is all because the Internet has became so huge,” says Bouchereau.

Artists can deliver music files, information about their upcoming events, video clips and more to potential fans all over the Internet through blogs, electronic bulletin boards, and personal Web sites.

Seychellois artists like many of their counterparts on the African continent are without the backing of major label, so they can turn to the Internet to promote themselves and their music.

“The mainstream media is getting tighter and tighter on its control of what people hear. So it’s time for artists to start using the Web as an outlet, because many music fans the world over are turning to it as a different place to find all sorts of things, including music,” says Darren Bonnelame, the producer of Seychelles’ sole TV music programme, Melodies des Iles.

Barbara Jenson, an internationally known painter says in today’s artistic industry a presence on the WWW is an “absolutely essential” part of launching a successful career.

Working from her own home on La Digue island together with her husband Roy, Barbara who is originally from Wales keeps a hands-on approach to controlling her Web sites and career.

“Not only it grants you autonomy, but also it facilitates promotion and distribution,” she added.

However, not everyone is buying the argument.

“Since anybody can have a Web site, a lot of people may not take you seriously, or you may start relying too heavily on the technology for exposure, forgetting that there's also a street presence and there are people who aren't on the Web,” argue upcoming songwriter, Joel Servina.

But Boucheareau is adamant. He believes that by including a Web address in their contact, the artists are showing that they are ready for the 21st century and also care enough about their customers to take advantage of new technologies for their benefit.

“The Internet is such a great tool,” said Boucheareau, “because pretty much anybody can pull up a website and look at it and listen to it.”