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Originally Posted by Monstadrums   You are NEVER going to stop downloading. Top bands in this country are quitting because of it oweing their record label hundreds of thousands of dollars. Personally I cant see a solution. I'm involved in the industry here at a high level and have had many such discussions and have listened to many suggestions NONE of which will work. Live shows suck because of the terrible public transport and the massive police presence to catch drink drivers. (also the spread out nature of our country) A top band in this country may get 300 people to a show but you can tour this country in a matter of weeks...then what do you do? Major labels in this country are hanging on by a thread... no longer signing bands and letting staff go. Universals office here is staffed by 3 people! The only thing we can do is record ourselves and release independently even going as far as giving our music away to hopefully generate enough interest to get some airplay and get people to shows. Then go out and tour twice a year while working day jobs for the rest of the year. Even the very top bands in this country all have day jobs to support themselves. I could ramble on for ages and this country is small so a bit different to others but I think that makes us ahead. If you watch what happens here it will eventually happen in larger countries.  |
I truly agree. The independent artists who are willing to do the work themselves will always thrive because they don't owe anyone anything. I'm only 26 and I've managed to live my life debt free. My wife and I own our home free and clear and we both have pretty good jobs. We don't have a lot but no one can ever take that from us. I approach my music the same way. My band pays up front for all studio time and if we can't afford to do a project we wait until we can. We aren't interested in labels or any of that. We just want to play the best music we can. We all have GREAT gear, are solid musicians and love what we do. And I really believe attitudes like our are the only way to "save" the music industry.
Without getting too much more on my soapbox I'll say that the music industry is just reflecting the current mentality of a lot of American. We want it all now and we don't care how we get it. How often do you hear about 12 months no interest at Guitar Center? Bands want to make it big so badly that they don't read the fine print on their contract and end up owing thousands to labels. The consumer wants music now so they download... legally or illegally. I will now step off my soapbox.