Great article in USA today about file sharing as a way for smaller bands to get into the spotlight.
There does happen to be a certain band mentioned in the article that i heppen to like just a little, but I just thought some people might like a different perspective of file sharing.
"Artists generate revenue from a variety of sources — not only through CD sales, but also from publishing income, ticket sales and merchandise. Acts that control most, if not all, of those income streams have the most flexibility when it comes to their position on file sharing. For some, they're essentially trading in part of their publishing income to increase tour and merchandise revenue.
"Our fans, very much in an NPR/PBS way, feel it's a voluntary effort. You can listen to NPR for free, but the people who understand it pay their membership dues. It's the same way with our fans.
"They're not just consumers; they're part of the equation." "
Interesting, yes, but old news...
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
OK, you win, I guess?
Posted by Damien (Member # 5611) on :
Nono, you win... I was just mentioning. =}
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Ha ha. No, YOU win.
Seriously, though. I, the downloader and sharer of live music, figured it was a good thing for all musicians, when it really isn't. It is best for touring bands who record on their own label, it seems.
Posted by Damien (Member # 5611) on :
It's better for everyone except for the RIAA, who seems to be the only one _really_ bitching about it. The Suits are complaining because they have to buy a 40' yacht instead of a 50' one. Wah.
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
Early this century, the RIAA cut the number of new releases by 31%. Sales dropped 4%. They blamed that drop on file sharing.
The RIAA makes me angrier than almost anything else.
*stops writing*
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
But the beauty of it is that file sharing will eventually level(or at least change) the playing field, as musicians realize they can use it to their advantage.
I hope.
ClearChannel has already figured this out, making instant copies of concerts for sale after shows of musicians who are "taper friendly."
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Oh my heavens. that is just wrong.
Some people in our little podunky town are building a new garage.(like a mechanic kind) They are hiring Cheap Trick to play their party.
35,000 dollars for seventy minutes.
Egads. Get out there, Speed!
Are you in a band? I have seen a lot of bands lately who are making sampler cds(they cost next to nothing to burn) with the website of the band written on the cd. They just pass them out to people, or give them to people who sign up for their mailing list.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
$35K for Cheap Trick?!
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Isn't that sick? But I guess when you want to make a statement in a small town, that you ahve cash to burn, that is how you go about it. It's sort of an ironically named band to do it with, though. ha ha.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Yeah, but I mean..it's Cheap Trick. They used to play in St. Pete practically once a month.
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Yes, but any band you hire for a private party is going to be in the thousands, if they are at all well known.
It's funny, this weird female vocaliost we love sang a Cheap Trick song at a festival recently, and we were listening to it when I told my husband the story. I had kind of recognized the song, but would never have remembered it being a Cheap Trick one. I didn't even think they were around anymore.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Well, I know that...but I wonder what their guarantee is for a club show. I mean, from what I understand, Finch is up to $15K...and it's FINCH, for crying out loud.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Considering one can schedule nearly anyone for $35k, that seems a bit exorbitant for Cheap Trick. Though $35k is fairly normal to "small" crowd (only a few thousand) parties for some of the larger bands.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
LARGER bands, yes....
Man. I heard once that the booking agent for bands like Creed can make $25K in a day. Now, booking agents only get ten percent...
*signs self up for Booking Agent School*
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
pH, I wonder if there really IS any formal training in being an agent or a band manager. I am a good groupie, but maybe I should start ,making some cash for my efforts, you know?
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
You can go to school for it...then it gets so bad that you go to a concert, and instead of sitting around enjoying the concert, you strike up a conversation with the tour manager trying to get yourself a job. *shakes fist*
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