Between youtube and music recording apps and inexpensive software, production of music (like production of movies and written works) has become democratised. That means that talented individuals can reach wide audiences without the support of record labels.
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This is certainly the part I love. So many bands I've discovered over the last 5-6 years wouldn't be possible without the net.
And for myself, the last album I played on didn't sell much, but it went all over the world. Pretty trippy to think people from Japan to the Netherlands own a CD I'm on. That certainly would not have been possible in a prior years.
I completely agree with Joe and disagree with the "grumpy" factor.
I grew up in NY City.IN the late 60's and early to late 70's you could go and see live bands 7 days a week ,from late afternoon to early morning.From amatures to pro recording artists,they were all there.
One of the things they had in common was they ALL,repeat ,ALL got paid.In every band I was in,we did out fair share of unpaid charity benefits,or the occasional benefit to help with medical bills or a family displaced because their house burned down
But playing a gig in a pub or club..for free.NEVER.
.....
Now all those venues want free music,and it's tougher and tougher to make a living at it,because plenty of younger bands buy into the free music thing and will cut your legs out to actually lose money playing for free.For ego or exposure or both,while the venue owner makes all the cash.
I've said it before and it bears repeating.If you play for free(especially amatures) all the time,you're just making it tough for musicians who want to do this for a living,and are good at it.
Music is NOT free.There's always a price associated with it's performance in a studio or live.
Steve B
This is where I do agree. Although, it is perhaps a separate discussion, as the downhill of pay for live music started well before the internet.
Still, it is a bit sad. So many great musicians and/or great bands were able to develop and become great because they made their living playing live music on a local level. They could devote 24/7 to their craft because they got paid, and didn't absolutely have to have a day job to eat.
Couldn't disagree more, with music being free it allows the average person to enjoy a much broader range of music; which will make it more likely for that person to find music they enjoy and become passionate about, and people will always pay artists that they are passionate about...
Perhaps, but it's not always possible.
There are some bands I am passionate about, but they are on the other side of the world. If they don't play the US, I can't buy the ticket and get the t-shirt. Heck, just finding the albums can be a challenge. Sure, I'll try to at least get them their 99 cents a song download, but that only pays the band a few pennies against their recording cost.
But of course, not everyone even bothers to try to legally download the music.
People will tire, or are tiring of the processed recorded pablum we are being fed.
There could soon be a niche market for live 'off the floor' recorded music. It will distinguish itself from all the processed stuff by being just that - live, organic, imperfect, just like Robert Johnson's hotel room recordings. People might then be interested in it because its 'different' from todays pablum. Fashion runs full circle. Just like organic food, it simply awaits the right times and market.
Yes, but it will be mainstream? Or just a fringe element of people?
I'm amazed by the number of grown adults I have met who have NEVER seen a live band.