Changing Shape Of The Biz |
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Feb 18 2013, 05:26 PM
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While I completely agree that the industry is in extreme flux I would caution against putting too much stock in those numbers.
Why? - Because when the record biz was making cash hand over fist they and all the press around the them inflated the numbers (and were accused of such - generally by the artists themselves when said artist sued for their profits). Example: rec cos counted 'shipped' not sold units and then subtracted the 'returns' from the artists cut. So now it's like everybody hates the trad record co. so we kick them when they're down. In my neighborhood there are 3 stores that ONLY sell vinyl. One of the artists I regularly work for just released a new record on vinyl, another is talking about doing it - crazy! Maybe that's the new thing? Kids around here are friggin' nuts for vinyl ... go figure. The big boys may be down but I would not count them out just yet. They may look different when they get back up ... but they will get up. Mid to late '70s (disco to punk) was similar - sales way down/big cos. going out of biz/indies taking their place. This post has been edited by klasaine: Feb 18 2013, 05:39 PM -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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The disco/punk transition and indie labels (before they all got bought up by the majors) was more of a lateral to down shift, where as what we are seeing now is a complete rewrite of the rules now that the "distribution" is, in essence, FREE. Thus, Value added Plastic (CDs) are not longer the big money maker the Labels used to live on. They have started focusing on fewer and fewer artists near the top of the food chain in terms of sales, and reduce A&R, and other staff, as well as tour support, artist development etc. Currently what's left of the major labels lose money every quarter as the industry is still contracting. Thus, the Change/Opportunity idea |
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Feb 18 2013, 11:38 PM
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I know vinyl is a blip ... but it's also one part of the 'change/adaptation' you're talking about.
The general public doesn't wanna pay for CDs or downloads - whatever, that's old news. But more and more seem to be willing to pay for something that they deem more tangibly valuable ... an actual vinyl record with art and packaging is one of those things (and I'm sure there are others and I just don't know what they are). If the biz model was still the same as it was up until say 1992 that product vs.$$$ would amount to nothing at all consequential. But, in the new economy of making and (hopefully) selling music, the true independent artist (i.e., a guy/gal selling product literally out of the trunk of his/her car) has considerably little overhead compared to the old days. They're not paying for the big bad rec. co. machine (keep in mind I actually liked a lot about the big machine and semi-bemoan it's possible death - but that's another thread). *If you have something people like ... and you don't immediately make it all ubiquitously available for free you can 'sell' it. I know this this from experience. This post has been edited by klasaine: Feb 19 2013, 04:03 AM -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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Feb 19 2013, 04:01 AM
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Just one question. What's a Delcine?
 The point is well-taken though. A recent Bob Lefsetz blog entry made the point that albums are hopelessly archaic since nobody listens to music that way anymore, and that it's better to release individual songs. -------------------- Cyber-industrial music and video animations:
https://vimeo.com/channels/thedignitymachine https://vimeo.com/channels/somewheretohide Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RodrigoSpacecraft |
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Feb 19 2013, 09:26 AM
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BIZ SUCKS, HEavy MEtal Is the Way of Life!!!
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Feb 19 2013, 04:58 PM
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I've noticed it also depends on the type of shows you play.
I play with a Celtic rock band that pretty much only plays 'themed', seasonal festivals - highland games, scottish festivals, occasionally a Ren Faire. At all these events we set up a table/tent with merch ... t-shirts and CDs. We tried the download cards. We tried the flash drives (I personally really like the flash drive thing). General comment was "don't you have CDs?" Gigs I do in town (L.A.) with the more 'arty' projects the folks are more into a download card/code (and vinyl, lol!) Pay the 'cover' charge get a free download code. Buy the vinyl also get free download card - with access to a few cuts not on the released product, etc. It's all the same promo/loss leader stuff record companies do/did only with current tech and on a smaller scale. *The veneer looks different, the delivery system is different but the basic model really hasn't changed much since the 1920s. Radio, juke boxes, TV and now the internet - they advertise music for free or very cheap and then hope you'll buy it. The only real difference is that now it's fairly easy to DIY - you still have to have a good song and it's still a ton of work and full time job. -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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