New Proof That File Shairing Doesn't Hurt Sales

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Thu Apr 08, 2004 7:23 pm

On 2004-04-08 18:31, Immanuel wrote:
...I realy see no reason, why music, that sells at high volumes per definition need to be without soul or meaning or value or whatever +word...

because it is not music that sells at a high volume (usually, exceptions may occur though) but the image of a performer - or the relation to an event, like a movie etc.
Nothing bad with that at all - it's just not 'music' driving the purchase decision.

I consider Madonna, Robbie Williams, David Bowie or Dido serious musicians, yet they sell for different reasons in the first place, don't they ?

my statement about the overproduction wasn't exactly directed at the overall sound - if you refer to the Britney-one-more-time thing

which IS a great production.

actually it was triggered by the latest Phat's and Small record (I guess it was them on the car radio...).
The singer has a nice voice (at least had on previous records), but 'craftsmanship' blew it totally beyond any taste (imho) on their latest release.

Or the overequed ladies, ahmmm may I (dare to) say Norah Jones

I admit I didn't even make it one time through her first CD, but yes, it was great craftsmenship and a beautifully recorded piano...

On the other hand I bought an Esther Philips vinyl a couple of days ago (Black eyed Blues, recorded by van Geldern) just for the sheer beauty of the sound (specially the vocals), even though blues isn't exactly my cup of tea.

cheers, Tom

Nisse · Post by **Nisse** » Fri Apr 09, 2004 8:47 am

I think its obvious that this entire conflict between file sharing and record companies is due to the fact that (big) record companies have gotten rich and complacent and totally out of time.

I mean, its 2004 for crying out loud. Their way of distributing music is way outdated, and the production costs are gargantuan, causing records to cost way too much. Who the hell wants to consume music the way its distributed today?
Buying CD´s in a store? Going through all the hassle of travelling there, looking on shelves where the only CD´s you´re guaranteed to find are toplist crap and then have to stand in line to pay for the products you want? Or even ordering CD´s from an online store. Waiting for days untill the records reach you by mail !? Unbearable! When I get a song in my head I want it NOW. *insert witty but oh so angry Hubird (tm) emoticon here*

The music industry has to take a serious look at itself. Their production costs are bloated monsters in their own right, and basically all music is distributed in a way that most of the new generation cant stand.
I havent bought one single CD since I got my (absolutely divine) 10Mbit broadband connection, and nor do I plan to either untill the music industry changes its greedy money mongering ways.

1) I want all music to be available over the internet. No more damn stores, if never set a foot in one of those places again I´ll be a happy man. I want my music instantly, dammit.

2) Prices must be lower than they are now. Period.

3) All songs must be available on an individual basis. Never again should anyone be forced to buy a whole album just to get that song they like. Death to the tyranny of albums! *fist in the air*

4) You should be able to preview every song before you buy it. I never buy a pair of shoes without trying them on first. The same should apply with music. I dont want to buy any song unless Im sure I like it.

Untill these demands are met (not that I expect record companies to listen to me, hehe) I have only one thing to say to the music industry: See you in DC++, suckers!

at0m · Post by **at0m** » Fri Apr 09, 2004 9:51 am

Nowadays, Final Scratch is becoming the standard. How about all these white labels and small releases? My friend goes to the record shop when the new import arrives, he has all the hot stuff. He used to be rewarded for his nose for good shops and special editions, now the guys playing after him on Final Scratch play all that and more. No, they didn't wake up early and drove 2 hours for the shop to get the special editions, instead they got a drive full of mp3's with all that exquisit material.

I pitty a lot of his added value (rare releases) are mainstream now cos of filesharing and Final Scratch. And if one goes abroad with Final Scratch, there's no way the authorities can check if they're all copies from vinyl at home. Which is supposed to be mandatory, to have the original copy. These dj's make a living of the songs they play. Their excuse is that they can't find it in the shop. I suggest they wake up earlier and start looking better.

This does not deal with top40 bands, hitparade is based on sales most of the time so I don't see any point in how they complain about filesharing - they're top sellers.

How about the queue, small labels releasing rare stuff cos they love to do so? The biggest problem they have is that loads of distributors went bust, and now on top of that they're all becoming wide spread even tho they make very little money of it...

One of the guys I know having loads of problems with that has his own label. He started distributing in Europe for mostly small US labels, after the major distri's went bust a while ago. He's a member of z, and he's loosing money big time.

Nisse · Post by **Nisse** » Fri Apr 09, 2004 10:10 am

at0mic:

"My friend goes to the record shop when the new import arrives, he has all the hot stuff. He used to be rewarded for his nose for good shops and special editions, now the guys playing after him on Final Scratch play all that and more. No, they didn't wake up early and drove 2 hours for the shop to get the special editions,"

This is exactly what I despise with todays music distribution. Why should anyone be forced to wake up early, drive 2 hours and search for special editions in obscure shops?
Granted, my above criticism was mainly directed against huge music industry monopolies, but the principles of my argument still applies. The fact that now anyone can get those same records by downloading. . . . I dont necessary see that as a bad thing. Sure, vinyl DJ:s might not like it. And the fact that small labels get hurt is really unfortunate. But I see this entire situation as a huge consumer backlash against an outdated way of distribution and record industry tactics.

at0m · Post by **at0m** » Fri Apr 09, 2004 10:26 am

The fact that now anyone can get those same records by downloading. . . . I dont necessary see that as a bad thing. Sure, vinyl DJ:s might not like it. And the fact that small labels get hurt is really unfortunate. But I see this entire situation as a huge consumer backlash against an outdated way of distribution and record industry tactics.

These small ones get hurt so bad that they're all disappearing. How's that? Soon we'll be stuck with a couple of majors (call it globalisation if you like) releasing Idol2005 kinda crap.

I agree, the industry needs a whole new perspective on sales. Once you've released something on an independent, let me know where I can find it

paulrmartin · Post by **paulrmartin** » Fri Apr 09, 2004 11:32 am

On 2004-04-09 09:47, Nisse wrote:
I think its obvious that this entire conflict between file sharing and record companies is due to the fact that (big) record companies have gotten rich and complacent and totally out of time.

Hear, here!