Well, yeah "right placement"...that is the whole idea.  It doesn't matter how great a song is, nor how talented the artist.  The song will sit and gather dust if it is not distributed and promoted.  And ...that takes big bucks.  Big bucks are what the major labels have, and their execs pick and choose who they will promote.  That pick has to do with marketability of the song (nowadays how much it sounds like another popular song), look and image of the artist, and political correctness of the artist.  This could also include political incorrectness, if it is an acceptable form of political incorrectness. Ninety percent of the battle is getting the song to be played.  Guess how that happens....?  Money baby...

Indie artists will forever remain indie, and with each passing year there are more of 'em.  They will distribute to smaller audiences, but they will at least get heard by more folks than just their friends and relatives.  Overall, I agree with you, that's a good thing.  Artistry in music will at least survive if that trend continues. Very rarely, and I do mean very rarely, the independent  will sell enough or get enough hits on their websites to get the attention of a label exec, since their pre-marketing is already sorta done by tracking site hits, MP downloads, Amazon ranking etc...Then, they are bought by the label (and that's when the label makes money and the band starts losing money...except if they become superstars). 

So yeah, tape away and get it on the net, so we can hear ya'.  Here's some great avenues:

1. CD Baby-This is my fav.  Great for the listener and the artist.  I have been buying through them a lot lately.  Sounds and bands I never would have heard otherwise.  Quality varies.  They mail the CD's very quickly, cheaply and superbly packaged, then followup with an Email to you so you can rate your buying experience and also offer review of the CD you purchased.  Can't recommend 'em enough.  For artists, all you have to do is send in a mastered CD, plus minus artwork and they handle the rest.  They give you I think about half of the price of the CD.  Can't beat it.  And you get the feedback continuously on how your little effort is received, so they do some marketing for you.

2. Cafe Press...similar idea to CD baby.  I find some of their performers, more, shall we say "robust".  Some of them need sanding, but the spirit is there.

3. If all else fails....My Space.com.  You can download MP3's.  I don't think you can  purchase CD's there, but they link if the band has another site.  And for the musician/songwriter, you can host your music upon the world, and track who your friends are.  They can send you Email and PICTURES.  Yeah, you get to see your groupies!

I really think we should have a conference of all budding musicians, anybody who can hold a guitar, and sit out in a field somewhere all strumming an A chord (or we could make it a G chord...choice is yours) at once, and for a long time.  (I think this has been done already).   The day there is a band featuring all Tuba players, instead of guitar players, I will be thrilled.  Call me, if you learn of such a group. 

Gene