Other than Gene Simmons, it's hard to name many musicians who so openly think like a capitalist.

Eclectic Canadian singer-songwriter Jane Siberry didn't use to, but over the years she's come to the realization there's no other way to approach the music industry.

That's one of the reasons that now, in the hot height of summer, she set about recording what's usually a crowd-pleaser and money-maker -- a Christmas record.

But maybe it says a great deal about what kind of artist she is, that even though she had a business goal in mind, her sure thing has morphed into something else entirely -- an album of not-so known hymns.

"The original intention was to do something that would raise funds for my original record," says Siberry in the middle of a Toronto downpour, "but now I have a really beautiful non-commercial record on my hands."

As Siberry alludes, proceeds from the album were to help finish a new album of all original work, entitled Lily.

The incredibly gifted, famously genuine artist has learned those kinds of things -- as well as a Sheeba patrons program, where fans buy studio time for her in exchange for handwritten lyrics, signed work, etc. -- are necessary to make it on her own.

That's what she has been doing for seven years since leaving her original record label -- which released a handful of great albums such as The Speckless Sky and When I Was a Boy -- and forming her own Internet-based indie label, Sheeba.

With Sheeba she's been allowed to follow her muse and, for the most part, create the music she wants to make, such as her New York Trilogy collection and Hush, a collection of traditional American and Celtic spirituals.

"It's given me a lot of freedom, but I've had a big learning curve, as far as running a business goes, and I've stumbled a fair amount," says Siberry quite candidly.

"I think it builds muscles and it certainly makes you appreciate things.

"And I appreciate record companies now like I didn't before, and I don't think they should be charity machines -- it's a business."

That doesn't mean Siberry, who plays the folk fest tomorrow night and will be participating in workshops throughout the weekend, would return to the world of big labels any time soon.

She believes the old ways have to change before the music industry can move forward into being something that caters to both the artist and the capitalist.

"Maybe death and regeneration in a new way ...," she says when asked what she thinks it will take.

"For Sheeba, sometimes I think I should let Sheeba die. If it can't pull it's own weight, then the correct thing is to die.

"So I'm not in favour of grants and that kind of support.

"I believe there's a way to make it happen -- keep it small and make it healthy -- but I haven't proven it yet.

"And I think that's the same thing that's in store for the large labels."