The World Wide Web contains many music podcasts, and they are distributed by podcasters who want to share their work with the world. Some of these are distributed by independent musicians, groups or individuals who enjoy creating and sharing their music but have a small fanbase. For them, a podcast means closer contact with their listeners, and the blog that usually accompanies a podcast often allows for the comments and opinions of the listeners to be shared with the musicians.

The close contact is often appreciated by the listeners, and even some become resentful when their favorite groups gain

widespread popularity and become to big. Musicians may find that the music podcast they share is a way to build a following

and gain an audience that is loyal to them.

Most of the musicians who podcast do so as independent artists who lack the sound the music industry is looking for or simply have not been noticed yet, a music podcast may build a following that attracts attention to them and gives them an entry point into the music industry.

Sometimes, a music podcast may be the chance to become a dj, and the episodes they share will contain mixes of different songs, highlighting obscure yet accomplished artists and taking their listeners on a tour every episode. These amateurs podcast merely because they enjoy the activity, as most independent podcasters do.

The online radio station involves another type of music podcast. While some radio stations have taken the leap to the internet by offering streaming connections to their current playlist, others have accepted the podcast as a way of sharing their music. Such a style is very similar to the amateur dj, but brings a level of professionalism that is not found with the amateur podcasters.

A music podcast may also be a way to sample works by more well known artists before purchasing. In order to peak interest in the songs before release, some musicians and groups will podcast their new music, or portions of the new pieces. Fans get to listen to the music and find out what they might like before purchasing the whole album. A possibility, however, is that music podcasts become subscription based, and musicians begin charging for access to the feed.

With Apple's iTunes reaching its one billionth paid download recently, the online sale of music has proved its popularity. A

music group could conceivably offer a feed to its fans that they could pay for, and regularly update it with new songs that would be downloaded directly to the fan's computers Although this distribution model is not yet in place, it seems to fit with the over all trend. Already, some nonmusical groups have agreed to podcast their files, on the condition that a paid subscription is bought.