I am getting so sick and tired of musicians complaining about "stealing" music from them.
I get it. You took months to create this music. You sat and thought of songs, recorded, tracked, mixed, mastered, and packaging. It's a lot of work that goes into it. But on the flip side of that, there seems to be a sense of entitlement to someone's music. I find this music "stealing" issue never ending for a few reasons:
1. The net is not going away anytime soon.
It's a lame and easy excuse but it's true. The internet has helped and hindered equally. Since the birth of the internet, we have people creating their own YouTube channels, selling their own music (physically and digitally), instant streaming of music, more choices, and more.
The downside of that is also there. We have people able to rip other people's music and share it with friends, online streaming site such as Spotify who have little incentives for profit, and the biggest flaw I find is the access to an unlimited amount of people wanting to be the next big thing. Everyone wants to rule the world...few people do. Take the hint!
Much like every other industry in the world, there is a demand and an over demand. When labels sign bands simply to compete with other labels, they blame the bands for poor sales and subsequently fans for taking $10-20 out of their pockets by ripping a CD. Do you know how much it would cost me EVERY WEEK if I was to purchase every single album I have listened to? Well, let's just say I wouldn't even be able to afford the internet to write this article. Would you rather I not listen at all?
"The latest approach from the Government will not help prop up an ailing music industry. Politicians and music companies need to recognise that the nature of music consumption has changed, and consumers are demanding lower prices and easier access. "
2. Album sales have decreased but ticket prices, touring schedules, and meet & greets have all surged.
What's the running price for an arena band now? $60? $80? $100+? You will see bands tour the same city countless times which in turn over saturates the market and those same fans will not want to pay ticket prices for the same show over and over. I think the average price for a tour shirt is about $40 now? No wonder people opt for the "stolen" shirts in the parking lot after the show.
Theoretically, you have the average Joe/Jill who goes to a record store (or iTunes, or whatever) and picks up his/her favourite album, and that's the end of it. Are we going to yell at this guy/gal because they are not purchasing tickets, buying shirts, or doing M&G? What about those fans who "stole" your CD, but then went to your show, bought the merchandise, and took a photo with you to tweet to all their friends?
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If you get the chance to read it, this article I previously posted breaks down the different formats of music over the past 30 years and how they have evolved:
AFGM: 30 Years of Music Industry Change
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3. Record labels have to lay off less senior staff but have not discussed taking pay cuts for the sake of their label or love of music.
If you run a record label and have bands signed to same (no matter how big or how small), you should be in the trenches with them. If you have the ability to sign a band, then YOU should profit when they profit. Long gone are the days (or at least they should be) where you fork over tons of cash to a band and then they have to tour countless times (most of the time with minimal promotion and resources) to break even, let alone profit.
Bottom line, don't sign a band that you cannot afford to support.
"The people who file-share are the ones who are interested in music. They use file-sharing as a discovery mechanism. We have a generation of young people who don't have any concept of music as a paid-for commodity. You need to have it at a price point you won't notice."
4. Record labels consistently sign bands to compete with other labels.
You can argue this from your own POV but for me, I try to understand why certain bands are signed to certain labels. In a perfect world we would all like to think that the next band that gets signed is solely due to their talent and performances. But unfortunately it also has a lot to do with the aesthetics of their label. While this isn't a main driving factor, it still stands that some labels will sign you simply because you could [potentially] take fans from another label and/or band.
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So bottom line folks, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to downloading (both legally and illegally). Artists and label will cry foul over stealing people's "art", when users/customers demand lower prices. If we as consumers are going to consume what you constantly put out there, then either create a way for your average Joe to purchase of listen to music, or to let the status quo play out. It could be worse, labels COULD invest money in a band that we don't know about or don't listen to. I think as a musician, that would be my worst fear. Not a lack of money, but a lack of interest.
Good Article!
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