reznor himself said point blank that it was NOT a probable solution to the newly signed or unsigned artists out there.
ironically enough, most of the unsigned bands i've seen are persuing the same tactics, and have been doing so for a LONG time.
i've seen a lot of cd's given away at shows, in hopes that they'll be shared, which will help generate a much bigger audience for the shows. at some point, you can even start selling cds instead of giving them away. ditto online presence, and "giveaway" single downloads. noone's screaming bloody murder that unsigned unknown bands all over the country, who are giving their music away in hopes of exposure, have been steadily devaluing music for the last decade or more.
times are changing. of course we'll change with them, we have no choice. but for now, the hysterical subtexts i'm reading here are these:
1. what happens to the audio pros if/when the titanic goes down? there may not be enough lifeboats for everyone. we've seen 2 fairly major releases over the last couple of months, both done outside "the system". everyone seems to be declaring the industry as DOA. wtf do WE do?!?
or alternatively,
2. if music is indeed completely devalued, how does one make $ at it, aside from getting boobs and kneepads and trying to become the next britney press-mess?
(personally, i don't see either happening in totality. i think there will always be people who value music enough to pay for it, and people getting paid to create it.)
pleasant dreams.
