But wait. Websites and software projects are two things in this world that are never done.

So, the saga continues: Features, bug fixes, and tweaks oh my.

Step 1 is certainly done. We have a useful home for artists, providing some basic tools for their online quest to connect with listeners. Sure, it is rough. Sure, it needs more work. But it is there, and functioning, and seemingly semi-attractive in its current state. People I don't know are telling other people I don't know that we exist: I'm happy.

But Step 1 is only Step 1 in a series, right? Of course!

Here is how I see it present. I'd love this to be a dialogue. A dialogue needs to start somewhere, so here is the current somewhere for interested eyes:

Step 1: Create the ability for artists to host and distribute their music on a decent looking website
Step 2: Refine the tools given to artists based on their feedback and needs, ensuring that we indeed have THE badass home for independent musicians, DIY musicians, rebellious label musicians, etc.
Step 3: Slowly spread the word and gain the momentum and support of artists and amass a sizable collection of awesome music
Step 4: Create a listener-centric sister site to alonetone, that helps new listeners find music that they love, drawing from the nice big pool of alonetone music

I won't detail what is beyond Step 4, though it is tempting to speculate!

Actually, these are less steps then they are goals - both lofty and 100% attainable, flexible and up for discussion. At time of writing, we've delivered 9658 tracks to musicians and visitors from 70 countries through alonetone.com, facebook and itunes. In a little more than a month. Not bad.

I have more ideas than time. This is not a strange feeling for someone who programs the ones and zeros. Heck, this is not a strange feeling for a musician. There are 1000 ways you can play that C-F-G, which one will you choose? It can be a tough call.

Sometimes, you just need some time and space - or friends to bounce around ideas with.

I'm doing my best to filter through ideas and come up with the best implementations.

But I need some help. When you get ideas, throw them at me like hot potatoes. How could this work well? My "vision" is not more important or refined than yours. If anything, I'm stuck in the detail work and need those words to leave your brain and enter mine to remind me of the bigger picture.

I decided to go to work. I decided to go to work, for me, my music and for you, and your music, and hopefully for many more musicians whose options currently consist of signing their life away on the dotted line, giving their music to online companies who profit from their 'content,' struggling to make it, or simply deciding to remain in total obscurity. I'm not going to falsely promise that you'll get anywhere by signing up and uploading your tracks to alonetone. Fuck that. That is what we are rebelling against here. What I do promise is that we have the same amount of power as any record label or online multimillon dollar startup business. Seriously, we are small, in charge, agile, and have the right tools - and we're doing it from a place of love.

So, pretend you hired me to build this site and tell me - what is working, and what is not? What do you dream of? What little tweak would make your day? The more you drill it in to me, the better. The small and the big. I will tell you - this is hard work - each detail can take a fair bit of time. I can't promise to obey one person or fulfill all ideas or implementations. But I love to listen, and I need your help to make this place sparkle. Speak up!

Oh, and we're hiring.

The alonetone source code is as of tonight publicly available and I'm looking for a hand (design & ruby/rails programming) in maintaining what is sure to become a beast. The work is hard, the pay does not exist, and the standards are pretty high - in short, reserve a seat as soon as you can.

(also posted on the alonetone update page and the alonetone forums on modernthings)