Internet and Music

[yellowdot]

with internet and all those web2.0 sites, like youtube, do you guys think it's easier for musicians to make more money nowadays or actually harder?

i mean easier by: much lower cost for the public to know you.
i mean harder by: much easier for users to find place to download free music.

 

[bassmonkey144]

I think it's harder for musicians now to sell music in a non digital format (CD) and the days are gone where you paid 6 dollars for a single at Best Buy. A lot of people are moving towards offering their music for free online. Or for free for a short time. Or pay what you want (Radiohead et al). It's harder for bands that are just getting started to do this and see profits. One thing I have seen though, a local band had an "Ipod show". You came to the show, and if you bought a ticket, they would upload their cd to your ipod. They still got a cut of the ticket sales and merch sales and whatnot, but I'm sure this tactic drew more people to the show.

Here is a good link to a multiple part article about digital distribution. It's a good read.

 

[Mindset]

with internet and all those web2.0 sites, like youtube, do you guys think it's easier for musicians to make more money nowadays or actually harder?

i mean easier by: much lower cost for the public to know you.
i mean harder by: much easier for users to find place to download free music.

When us major labels were out the picture in the digital domain, indie musicians had it easier than now a days when the internet is flooded with millions more musicians... Try and sift through 20 mil artists, and the dollar gets thinner. And, cost wise, it practically stays the same in terms of margins.

 

[Elementmetal]

To me, i see it as being difficult for musicians these days.

We're living in a culture where everybody EXPECTS everything INSTANTLY, FOR FREE, or they'll complain AND have rights.

Its a messed up situation thats getting worse. As younger generations are gorwing up, they've been born post napster days and have grown up with music being free from torrent sites. They dont know any different. They are obviously going to have a "f**K you" attitude when people tell them they should be paying for it.

We've been giving copies of our album away for FREE or for FREE DOWNLOAD at certain times to drum up interest. We sell band t shirts at cost price and make no money just to get the fans wearing the gear.
I think this separates the REAL passionate musicians from the wannabe chart toppers with £XXXXX in the bank.
But ultimately, theres only so long that a band can keep doing stuff for free.

In short, its a bad situation i think at the moment for any band starting out! ESPECIALLY in non mainstream genres.

Adam
www.myspace.com/elementsound

 

[Waffleness]

The current situation is very positive for amateurs who have nothing to loose. Buy some cheap equipment, learn a bit about the technology, buy some cheap web hosting and off you go. Very little lost, and a voice on the internet. Whether or not it develops into a sucessful endevour is another matter entirely, but they are certainly in a much better situation than they would have been.

Bands who are trying to make a career out of it will find it very tough.

 

[stealth_prod]

I think people nowadays rely to much on the internet for success. Getting a website and having a myspace page or whatever only gets you so far. It does nothing if no one visits the site though. I think overall its more of a lazy way of doing things. There not going out and talking to people anymore and getting involved with hands on advertising. I myself have had some positive responses only because I went out to a local place that has a large variety of different music likes and talked to all different people. Some were interested in what I had to say, some didnt. But soon after I was approached to do some things for people. If you work hard at perfecting your art it will portray to others. Some feel that half-assed is ok these days and its not. People see that and wont waste another minute with you or your music.

 

[Elementmetal]

I think people nowadays rely to much on the internet for success. Getting a website and having a myspace page or whatever only gets you so far. It does nothing if no one visits the site though. I think overall its more of a lazy way of doing things. There not going out and talking to people anymore and getting involved with hands on advertising. I myself have had some positive responses only because I went out to a local place that has a large variety of different music likes and talked to all different people. Some were interested in what I had to say, some didnt. But soon after I was approached to do some things for people. If you work hard at perfecting your art it will portray to others. Some feel that half-assed is ok these days and its not. People see that and wont waste another minute with you or your music.

I agree. But the REALLY frightening thing is that its not just the BANDS that rely on myspace etc.... Its the labels and promoters.

I've lost count on the sheer AMOUNT of labels and promoters that simply look at a bands myspace before booking them (or even signing them in the case of smaller labels).

Truth be told i (among many others) believe that a&r guys from many labels are lazy in the sense that they're relying on the internet to find bands as opposed to spending the many hours (as they should be doing) scouting for REAL bands playing the real s**t hole venues in small towns.

Again, i'm sure someone else will disagree with me. But for me, for us based near Manchester UK. It is clear

 

[eeb]

In short, its a bad situation i think at the moment for any band starting out! ESPECIALLY in non mainstream genres.

Adam
www.myspace.com/elementsound

I'm not sure about this last statement.

If anything i think it's better out there for bands that aren't exactly mainstream. Bands that are smaller and different almost force ppl to have to buy their stuff. Where else would they get it and if not too many bands sound like them they have to actually buy the stuff from shows and whatnot.

I've always noticed a serious return to vinyl. Bands that I'm friends with have done pressings and have run out of vinyl before their tours are even half done. Give the mp3's away. Sell the cd's for cheap.. the real money is in the rest of your merch and vinyl.

 

[eternalpayn]

When us major labels were out the picture in the digital domain, indie musicians had it easier than now a days when the internet is flooded with millions more musicians... Try and sift through 20 mil artists, and the dollar gets thinner. And, cost wise, it practically stays the same in terms of margins.

Pretty sure you aren't a major... You're an indie label. Things are pretty much easier for you now.

 

[Mindset]

Pretty sure you aren't a major... You're an indie label. Things are pretty much easier for you now.

Your right, only because I choose to be. Don't be fooled by being independent however I do work with many of the finest in the industry, and have a lot of pull. We'll pack a show with thousands, but I'm not here to discuss my credentials. I will say that it's not as hard as I thought it would be. Not because of a changing industry, but because of my own judgements & method of running the label. It all started from a dream so to speak. And major backing lol

 

[dirtyp]

Your talking about few different things, Is it harder to spread your music around no. Is there more opportunities yes. More competition and majors competing. When the standard download is .99 we have to lower the bar.

Im doing better selling my music completely on my own then with the help of a another company. I have found out that digital music downloads pay us for less then 10% of the music we sell. I have a pending lawsuit with two different companies. I uploaded my music with tracking and watched them sell a thousand copies and pay me for a fraction. I wont name the companies involved due to litigation. But I have a open and closed case and hope to get more from the lawsuit then from the sales of my music. Bastards.