They don't have to be. But the thing is you need to do the music first as pure creative expression then figure out how to market it. It gets messed up when you do the music with marketing in mind. I know managers and lables are generaly though as evil because of the money they rob the artist of but one good thing about them if they let the artist have creative control they can simply create without worrign about how to make money off of it. If the music is good enough and you tour hard I think you will eventually cut through a good example is The Black Keys and an Australian band I love here called Sticky Fingers.They have gained success simply by being good and touring there asses off you should check them out! :) Though they have recently split ironicaly because of to much drugs and time on the road lol If you can connect with people you are moving in the right direction. What was that theory about you only need 1000 diehard fans I think that is prity prevalent in our age. Look to Neil Young and Amanda Palmer for examples of businesses and art co existing. Keep doing you thing man your moving in the right direction.