The internet is equalizing music. And erasing the lies that soundscan told us. but mocking music doesn't get it. They're still holding on to an idyllic world dependent on distribution channels that held music hostage for so long. This, despite statistics showing that musicians make better money elsewhere. Supporting your local scene is all well and good, if that money makes it back to the people who made the music. but supporting the scene for the sake of the scene? indie kids need a wake up call.
The internet is equalizing music. And erasing the lies that soundscan told us. but mocking music doesn’t get it. They’re still holding on to an idyllic world dependent on distribution channels that held music hostage for so long. This, despite statistics showing that musicians make better money elsewhere. Supporting [...]
4 Comments
I really wasn’t complaining so much as explaining. I clearly said that the artists are making more money now for various reasons - exposure and more direct distribution, etc - but my point was simply that the scene is dying as a result. I’m not saying that’s a particularly tragic thing, and I’m certainly not holding on to any vague notion of a romantic past: I really don’t think anything I said contradicted statistics and I’m not proposing we support a scene for its own sake if it hurts the artists in question. The artists are making more money and the people are hearing more music - the bands have access to fans and the fans have access to the bands. Sounds good to me.
Hey man,
Thanks for the link. It’s always great to get some recognition for your work.
Calum said:
i think it’s more appropriate to say the scene is moving, to myspace/last.fm/mp3 blogs. as much as that’s less personal, and less memorable, i’m a fan of anything that lowers the bar for people to find music they like.
no, i don’t think you’re contradicting them at all. my point was that things are moving in a good direction, and we shouldn’t be propping up the scene. i love music stores, but they are part of an old, commercial distribution method that needs to be replaced. with the bit about records (which are only relevant when things are non-digitally produced), made you seem nostalgic.
lastly, sorry for the snarky tone of my post. it was originally just a way to post the other two links, but i wound up using your post as a scapegoat, which wasn’t fair.
I think you’re right about my use of words: it should indeed be “moving”. My article is a bit nostalgic and I do romanticise a bit too much…but since I set out to write about record stores that have had to close, can you really blame me?
Things are changing rapidly and old forms of distribution and promotion need to be retired. The internet’s totally taken over and the ways in which people find and hear music have evolved very suddenly. It makes me a little sad that the old forms, which are more tangible and “real”, are disappearing, but I know it’s for the best.
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