People buy music?

[JohnSReid]

Continuing the discussion from New releases coming up:

@Zazabi

Interesting “debate” on Ricky Warwick’s (Thin Lizzy) FB page regarding the “free” release of U2’s latest album on itunes, for which Apple has paid them $100 million.
I’ve just copied one of Ricky’s posts.

" Music should not be free or art for that matter…it cost money to record and make.It’s how I make my living and pay my bills and I am aware of how privileged I am to be that position. People to this day still say " that’s not a real job" well I have callouses on my fingers to prove that it is and work dam hard at it. U2 ( and I’m a fan btw ) are in the lofty position where they can pretty much do as they please…and yes no one in their right mind can turn down that kinda money of course, but it’s a kick in the teeth for artists and myself who have to rely on people actually buying their albums ( remember that ? ) and coming to the shows to continue making music and make a living. I just feel that U2 for all they supposedly stand for in fairness and equality People should be given a choice what they can and cannot get and I feel that this was decided for us…which I find scary ! U2 are in a lofty position where they can make a difference in this ailing industry. I just hope that they are going to take a little of that $100 million back into the industry and help young bands in some way…cuz that’s what I would do with the $20 million I’m supposedly getting. Free is an illusion !"

I think that all of those points are valid. We’re in a music culture where (IMO of course) music is devalued simply because of its accessibility and low value. There was a time when I would go and buy a CD. It would cost me over £10 and I would really listen to it. I’d make sure that I got the music and got my money’s worth.

As soon as you give something away - no matter how much it’s worth - you’ve devalued it. People look after things that they’ve bought or earned much more than those things that are freely given. That’s not just music. That’s pretty much anything.

Now, for new talent, the expectation is that an album is the marketing rather than the product. Why would anyone want to be a musician in that climate where they have to tour for at least 3/4 of the year just to hopefully get enough listens on Spofity to break even.

Meanwhile, the promoters, Spotify, Google and the rest rake it in as they take their slice from the middle. I know I’m old-fashioned and there are artists making a living from it OK. It just seems that new talent is completely marginalized by the big boys now.

[Arcade]

I agree with all the points raised. Maybe it’s just me, but when/if I ever download music for free, I feel much less of a personal connection with the artist. I’m old fashioned in that I like to support the artist/band by purchasing a physical product. For me, downloading, whether it be free or otherwise feels so much more transitory and throwaway.

I just think it’s plain wrong that a piece of music or an album can be downloaded for free, when so much time, money and creativity has gone into producing it. Even if it’s part of a particular artist’s masterplan, it still sets a bad precedent in my eyes.