This has been driving me crazy for years. There was a song I heard during the peak of Napster and Limewire’s popularity. The song was from a female singer/songwriter - low production value, voice and instrument only, mostly likely guitar, possibly piano - maybe a capella. I’m 60% sure she is Canadian.
The song’s lyrics (at least at one point) railed against Metallica’s hypocrisy in opposing Napster, with a phrase similar to “you became famous through bootleg tapes”.
IIRC, this artist was self-published. I somehow got an MP3, listened to and enjoyed the song, found more of her work, but then lost it and all other information about her.
Can you help me?
I am just as stumped as you are, but maybe I can jog your memory. Do the names Ani DiFranco, Leslie Feist, Tracy Bonham, Bree Sharp, Jen Trynin, Meredith Brooks, Beth Orton, Happy Rhodes or Jonatha Brooke ring a bell? All of them are female singer/songwriters who were active during that period of time. And a handful of them are even Canadian. Good luck! You know, I’m actually kind of disappointed in myself that I didn’t kick this question’s butt as soon as I read it. By 2000, I was starting to be a little past my prime as far as hunting down new music, but not by that much.
I was thinking of Dar Williams, but she’s American. The description reminded me a little of Are You Out There, which does draw a comparison between indie and major label music.