Attention Music Snobs: Soundcloud...a learn me thread

Hello audiophiles, Im starting to find myself leery of possessing media obtained through channels of questionable legality. Im also finding myself more and more conscious of the fact that media I listen to is someones intellectual property - property that likely earns them income in some form or another, so besides the legality, my conscience begins to come into play.

So, after poking around some of the electronic music threads, and having seen "soundcloud" mentioned a few times, I added the app to my android phone.

...so uuuhhh...what does it do?

I was initially drawn to soundcloud via youtube - I recently heard a song I really like in a commercial, and googled the artist (civic commercial with the folding bike and the floating cube) - the song is called Disparate Youth by Santigold. Another artist loaded their remix of to the tube (Mike Tomkins - "Cinema"- a really cool "acapella" mix), and in the comments was a link to "download" the song. Apparently, artists who upload to soundcloud can set the songs up so they can be downloaded, its the artists discretion.

I find myself interested now in embracing this form of social media - I like being able to "follow" artists. I dont visit my facebook page anymore - its format is annoying and the ridiculous FB addicts drive me up the wall with their useless banter. But Soundcloud seems to offer real content...as in actual media that Im interested in socializing with.

But I dont want to be tethered to my cellular data - I have a pretty stingy plan - my monthly GB is low, and overages get pricey, so streaming media is usually reserved for a WiFi connection. Is it possible to cache media? I am not able to find the option if it exists in the app.

And a last question, I seem to remember a few forum members from the trance/goa thread who were actively uploading their work to SC (Jay?) - Id love to "follow" GRMers - traditional and electronic artists alike.

So unload your knowledge on me, forum - what am I missing? What do I need to know? Who is uploading to SC? And who do you follow?

I've been on there over a year, though I haven't posted anything new since last spring(though I'm finally working on new material). I'm Robot Zombie Overlord on Soundcloud.

Regarding your data plan, if the songs you like can be DL'd, just grab them from your PC at home and sync it to your phone. But otherwise no, there's not really way to setup a playlist or anything.

I'm following a little more than 50 artists, but when someone follows me I figure I owe them the courtesy of following them back. Some of them constantly send out SUPER HOT FRESH REMIX!!!!! emails constantly, but that's kind of rare. I don't really participate much beyond that, other than an occasional comment on some's song.

Thanks Pete...I will definitely find you in the cloud!

No one else?

Jay is on there too, I'll have to see if I can find his username.

Pete, you now have one more follower! :D

I personally believe that "media" and "entertainment" prices have gotten out of hand. The solution?

Most bands post some sort of music video or simply their songs to youtube. May not be the best quality, but by viewing their song, they should have the "profit sharing" or whatever you want to call it, turned on.

After "watching" the song, I download the youtube video as a mp3 format file. I feel no guilt.