Poll reveals fans' downloading and copying habits
Tue 17 Jun, 2008
My comment was the first one on here, and I stand by what I said. I did slag off parts of the music industry, but I do that from the perspective of someone who writes a blog and for a music magazine, and used to work in three different record shops. The first of these record shops was a massive high street mega store, and the prices there were outgrageous. As it was on the high street, much of the money went on rents. I know this because the second and third record shops I worked for were way cheaper. They were not on the high street.So to be fair, it's not just the record companies but the major shops too.As for the record companies, I know someone who was in a band that were on Rough Trade and the label screwed them. Bands have to wait a long time for royalties to get through. Most of their money was spent bailing out another rock star on the label with a very PUBLIC smack habit.As a writer and blogger, many artists and record companies have got in touch with me to promote their material. If it's good and I post it -with their blessing- if not, I don't. I spend a fortune on music, even when i have very little of it. Between my wife and I we have 2000 albums that we have bought. Yes, I have downloaded stuff, but then I bought it. We go to loads of gigs, and would go to more if we could afford it. On average I spend in at least four figures buying music each year. I don't think I am the root of the problem.Back in 1999, the Offspring were the downloaded band on the internet and they had their most successful year ever. The major record companies would sell baked beans if it wasn't for music, to believe this is not the case...now that really IS naive. Record companies expect results too quickly, thirty years ago when Boy came out, U2 would probably have been dropped by theirrecord label by the time they were recoding their second album. Successful bands need time to grow (see the aforementioned U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, REM who took many albums before they were packing stadia, whether you like them or not).
Wed 18 Jun, 2008
With regards to this and the Kiss story...this is the equivalent of people taping stuff in days gone by.CDS have been sold at vastly inflated prices which is why people have done this, They cannot afford to buy it (with the threat of a recession do you think this is going to get any better?some old albums are deleted and not even available on download services like eMusic or iTunes. I cannot find studio albums like Curve's Doppelganger, Wedding Present's Watusi, or the Darling Buds or Primitives albums (I'm 31!)Added to which, if people download the album, they might yet buy it when they have the money. I taped many albums and then bought them over time when I had money. (It's called a back catalogue).Weep no tears for the much of the music industry. Much of this is about money and greed and nothing to do with music at all. The people who do deserve sympathy are the small independent record shops and the music fans who cannot afford to compete with the high street maga chains. The internet makes the whole process fairer and more democratic.
Tue 17 Jun, 2008
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'Nearly 100 per cent of music fans copy music illegally'
Poll reveals fans' downloading and copying habits
Tue 17 Jun, 2008
Comments (2)