Not specifically Bristol-related, but of general interest to all musicians making efforts to float their boat online, this Guardian Unlimited article describes the "Pitchfork Effect" and what internet interest can do for your musical project. 

They started as hobby businesses that ran on charity and spare time. Now the top music websites can make or break a band overnight. Jude Rogers looks at the Pitchfork effect and what sites such as pitchforkmedia and Drowned in Sound mean to musical promotion and the established music media publications like NME and Melody Maker. It appeared in The Guardian on Friday November 24, 2006 and we are linking to it here on Bristol Gigs for local benefit: http://music.guardian.co.uk/pop/story/0,,1955284,00.html