This is especially true for independent artists whose music is not considered radio or club friendly.

To help unsigned musicians gain an avenue to perform and get their music heard, a new group has formed in Niagara Falls.

Kevin Richard, president of A.I.C.R.A., (The Alliance of Independent Canadian Recording Artists), said the low cost of recording technology means it's never been easier for musicians to put out a CD. Much harder is getting it played or to find a venue in which to perform and build an audience to buy the music.

"We want to provide an avenue for them to play a live performance," he said.

Speaking Saturday afternoon at Niagara Gallery on Queen Street, where he and guitarist Greg Holmes run weekly jazz flavoured open mic sessions, Richard said A.I.C.R.A. is a membership-based organization.

He said it's targeted mainly towards solo artists who find it difficult to keep a band together. Through weekly concerts, these musicians will have not only a place to play, they'll have other musicians to play with.

"The members become the backup band," he said. "The idea is to build a community."

Now in the building stage, A.I.C.R.A. will provide a venue starting next May through the Indie Gives Rise Music Series, a festival which will either take place outside right on Queen Street or within Niagara Gallery. Members will take turns performing in groups in separate one-hour sets on stage as well as headlining their session.

Holmes said the group is meant to be for struggling but serious artists.

"We're not taking people who just picked up the guitar," he said.

Richard said the music series will double are charity concerts, with collections being taken for organizations such as Project SHARE.

"I want to give back a bit," he said.

For more information about A.I.C.R.A., call 905-397-6892 or visit www.myspace.com/aicramusic