iLounge

21

I have no sympathy for the record companies and the money they’ve lost - their own ignorance and some very bad business decisions have driven them into the ground.  Had they recognized the internet as a viable means of distribution a few years ago rather than choosing to ignore it like they did they wouldn’t be in this mess!

Posted by jcs on January 27, 2004 at 11:54 AM (PST)

22

Pomegranate—great name by the way,

Music is no different than any other industry or business. There are lots of talented folks out there, but only a few are in the right place at the right time. There are far more than “a few dozen” popular acts, and there are far more acts that have climbed there way up, gotten signed, and become superstars than there are the “produced” acts like B. Spears, etc. (which, by the way, I don’t have any issue with either… there are great musicians and song writers behind B. Spears who have the luxury of getting paid for what they do without the price of fame).

The whole notion that it’s “unfair” sounds resoundingly like the thousands of no-talent idiots that think they’re good and get turned down by American Idol (which, again, I have no problem with… what better way to find talent than to expose it to the wider audience?).

To climb your way to success in life (and I’m speaking of any industry whatsoever) is to be ready when opportunity strikes. It’s not enough to have talent, and to give all you have to your music. You’ve got to be able to get others to listen. I’m 31, a tad overweight, and a rather talented drummer. There isn’t any way that I can portray the image appropriate for the kind of music I love to listen to and play with (hard rock). Bands that I could try out for would likely not choose me because I don’t really “fit” the part. Is that unfair? Of course it is, but life isn’t about an even playing field and never has been. Frankly, I don’t want it to be.

Posted by Bob on January 27, 2004 at 12:10 PM (PST)

23

There are songs that the whole country knows by heart… songs that weave through our culture and define generations. I like that I can have this in common with the rest of the country anywhere I travel. That’s the way it will always be.

I also have a lot of music from independents here in Atlanta that will only be heard by a very few people (one of which has the most amazing voice I’ve ever heard, and believe me, I listen to a fantastic variety of music). This is also very important to me, and I root for these artists to work hard to share their talents with others. But that thought that just popped into your head when I mentioned this girl with a great voice… that doubtful thought of “nah… I’m sure I wouldn’t care for that” because this Bob guy gets on my nerves and I’m sure he doesn’t know what he’s talking about musically… it’s those thoughts that prove my point. THAT is the reason that you’ve got to have record companies willing to invest in artists and promote the heck out of them… to get them heard by the masses who otherwise wouldn’t give a damn.

Posted by Bob on January 27, 2004 at 12:11 PM (PST)

24

CDBaby is a growing site that pays a fair amount to artists.

The Problem With Music:
Whenever I talk to a band who are about to sign with a major label, I always end up thinking of them in a particular context. I imagine a trench, about four feet wide and five feet deep, maybe sixty yards long, filled with runny, decaying ####. I imagine these people, some of them good friends, some of them barely acquaintances, at one end of this trench. I also imagine a faceless industry lackey at the other end holding a fountain pen and a contract waiting to be signed. Nobody can see what’s printed on the contract. It’s too far away, and besides, the #### stench is making everybody’s eyes water. The lackey shouts to everybody that the first one to swim the trench gets to sign the contract. Everybody dives in the trench and they struggle furiously to get to the other end. Two people arrive simultaneously and begin wrestling furiously, clawing each other and dunking each other under the ####. Eventually, one of them capitulates, and there’s only one contestant left. He reaches for the pen, but the Lackey says “Actually, I think you need a little more development. Swim again, please. Backstroke”. And he does of course.

And remember kids, iTunes - Facelift for a Corrupt Industry.

Posted by RIAAThieves on January 27, 2004 at 12:28 PM (PST)

25

Mozart’s development was funded by patrons.  It wasn’t like he had a day job or played the piano on the street corner.

Posted by Albert on January 27, 2004 at 1:12 PM (PST)

26

If the artists make 100% of the money their music makes, maybe they’ll decide not to tour.

Posted by narco in Burbank on January 27, 2004 at 4:49 PM (PST)

27

lol, since when did u copy my name? Oh well, time for me to find a new ID.

Posted by Bob on January 27, 2004 at 8:08 PM (PST)

28

About freggin time.  Leave it to two of the most innovative recording artists of all-time to pave the way. 

Albert- I assume we’re talking about major labels here.  To think that these labels do anything other than ride the trend of the day is absured.  They push what they can sell.  Thanks to the internet, word of mouth sells.  I listen to bands/artists that get recommended to me by other artists and fans, not by some executive type who thinks he knows what I’ll like. 

I have been chatting in soulseeks chat rooms for the passed 3 years, and through the people in those rooms I have discovered artists that I PAY to see in concert and, if reasonably priced, buy their cds. 

The recording labels main job is to promote their artists.  But this is becoming more and more unnecessary, thanks to the internet.

Posted by dave on January 28, 2004 at 2:38 PM (PST)