Live!

Who: Andy Zipf When: 9:30 p.m. Saturday Where: Galaxy Hut, Arlington

When singer-songwriter Andy Zipf heard an executive at a major record label announce that CDs are dead, he barely shrugged. "I've already known that for two years," the Northern Virginia-based musician said. "What will always be is the connection between the artist and the fans and live music. People will always have to tour and bring the music to the people, but the way the music is distributed has changed."

In fact, if you want to buy a CD of Zipf's most recent collection of songs, "The Long Tail," you're out of luck. Zipf (pronounced "Ziff") no longer sells CDs at his shows. Instead, he sells download cards, which provide prepaid access to music online.

You can sample three of his new tunes at http://www.myspace.com/andyzipf, but be prepared to spend time in Zipf's online world -- you'll find two blogs, social networking pages, videos and links to other cool stuff. "I always like to know what's out there and what resources I have as a musician to make new impressions on people," Zipf said of his many Web activities.

When it came time to record his latest album, Zipf said, "I was able to raise $45,000 through my MySpace friends and my online friends and my fans and investors." Some people contributed outright ($5 to $50 was typical) and others invested more with hopes of profit-sharing.

"My manager and I set up a tour, and we went across the country having fundraiser shows where, instead of a cover, they would give what they could as a donation, and it added up."

Zipf was able to hire producer James Barber, who has worked with artists such as Aimee Mann, Ryan Adams, Lisa Loeb and Courtney Love, and to secure the talents of several respected session musicians whose collective credits include working with Sheryl Crow, James Taylor, Iggy Pop and Sarah McLachlan. "When I recorded those songs in L.A., it was literally a dream that I had since I was in junior high and started playing guitar," he said. "We were able to rent a studio for a month and live there and do the whole major label thing, but we completely circumvented the label."

With such a sustainable independent business model, Zipf doesn't even think of himself as an unsigned artist. "It's more like being unshackled. . . . A record label really doesn't have anything to offer that I can't get on my own right now." What major label, for example, would create the "swagbot" -- a portable, custom T-shirt manufacturing system in which fans pick not just the size and color of the shirt, but what designs to add and where to put them. And yes, they're printed right at the show. "We save money by not having to pre-order 200 [T-shirts]," Zipf said. "We just make them as we need them."

Despite his obvious comfort with technology and innovation, Zipf's music stresses personal connections through non-flashy means -- a haunting voice, emotional lyrics and strong melodies. It's a style that's been labeled "mood rock" and could be compared to artists such as Neil Young, Richard Ashcroft and Keane.

Two years ago, Zipf set out to tour nationally and has played hundreds of dates since, including some high-profile gigs, such as a recent appearance at the SXSW (South by Southwest) music festival.

Compared with the gigs at which he has attracted fans in the dozens, even hundreds, the Galaxy Hut could be a tight space for a Zipf show. "But I like playing there," he said. He credits Galaxy Hut's long-term previous owner, musician Alice Despard, with giving him an early break.

"She let me have a show there, and the same with Stephen [Negrey] at Iota. I have an affection for those two places, and I hope I always get to play there."

-- MARIANNE MEYER

The Galaxy Hut is at 2711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. There is a $5 cover charge; admission is limited to those 21 and over. For information, visithttp://www.myspace.com/galaxyhut.