eMusic question

When you 'buy' an album from eMusic, are the artists compensated? I get so much from that site, but wonder if I should buy a CD from the artist when I see him/her/they play.  Don't make fun, these are mostly small bands that may just be scraping by, and it's important to me that I compensate them for the joy they bring me!
It varies per artist and record label, but in this thread, one artist here on the board said he gets about $.25 per song downloaded.

I don't know if that's more or less than buying a CD, except to say that the best way to put money in an artists pocket when buying a CD is to buy it directly from them at a show.