What Indie Artists are Thinking...

There is a great deal of discussion about the changing landscape of the music industry and how a free music model might impact indie artists, so I thought I would highlight some of what indie artists are saying and thinking. These 10 quotes were taken from here:

1) "The argument that "musicians should make their income on the road" bugs me...

It is very difficult for small artists to make any sort of living on the road. Especially when you consider that they cannot hold a day-job while touring around the country. Unless you have the backing of a label, or you are independently wealthy, it is very difficult."

2) "We are fast approaching a time where the digital sales game = zero sum. Recent sales figures compiled by all reliable sources indicates that as the total volume of purchasable digital content increases relative to a static or shrinking demand, the value of that product reduces to or near zero in value."

3) "Most people will pay for digital music as long as it is cheap and convenient. A $5/month free-for-all would easily cover both of those requirements."

4) "We are heading for a "single source" the end of a "data pipe" and for differing fees the Ownership Society ... uh... whoever owns the big media... will be providing you with all your content. No more buying or owning files... no more being a librarian for plastic... nor data... it will be on demand and stored on servers elsewhere."

5) "And just because a physical delivery media may be in diminishing popularity, it's unreasonable to extrapolate that music now should be free, just because the new delivery media *can* be copied freely.  When it doesn't cost to record, cost to own instruments, cost (in time) to learn to play, cost (in time) to write and perfect compositions, cost to promote - all things that are either money directly or have monetary value as they take time, time that cannot be spent earing money another way - then and only then shall it be justifiable to say that music should somehow be free."

6) "No where is there any excuse to expect music to suddenly "be free" just because you want it to. I'd like electricity to be free. Wouldn't it be interesting if 'the marketplace' just decided "no thanks, we want our electricity to be free"? What would happen? A whole ton of shutoff notices and disconnects. No money? No service. Try going into a restaurant, eating a meal then leaving without paying. See how well "no thanks, we want our food to be free" works out for you and let me know. The ONLY reason people thing that music should be free is because it's so EASY to STEAL."

7) "I'm not saying file sharing is right, but we need to wake up and find a way to adapt, because things are going this way whether we like it or not. Personally, I'm focusing all of my money and efforts into licensing to tv/film/ads. At least that's still a lucrative market for songwriters (for now)."

8) "I'm not saying that artists are entitled to profit, just entitled for the right to get paid a reasonable amount for their recordings if they choose NOT to give them away - and not be stolen from because society somehow has deemed paying for recorded music in all cases an antiquated notion."

9) "Most musicians are not in it for the money, but for the music. But in no way does that mean they're not entitled to the right to charge for their music."

10) "EBay has already proven that the consumer rules and can be trusted to assign a consumer driven MONETARY value for product. The consumer desire for less expensive goods has driven the super-retail model to the level that we're now angry about it!"

As a former indie musician, I can certainly see why many independent artists are concerned that they may not be fairly compensated for their songs in the future, especially since most have made a lot of sacrifices to produce their music, an aspect which is often overlooked and taken for granted. Not to mention, from a musician's perspective, paying for downloading independent music is reasonable. But, the reality is that the industry is changing, and like it or not, as an indie artist, it's your responsibility to adapt to market conditions, finding new ways to make money if the industry changes to an inexpensive, subscription based or free music download model. While your sales from digital downloads may decline, the good news is that there will continue to be new ways to license your music in the coming years (e.g. advertising companies, television/film, video games, sporting events, subscription based radio, online video, blogs/web sites/social networks, restaurants, etc.). However, this will require more of a marketing effort on your part, and competition will stiffen, but you can do it! I will try and provide a few examples in the coming weeks.

As always, I welcome your comments. Peace.

Comments

[tom]

In no way should music be free and live shows can not be the only way a band makes money b/c there ain't that much money in live shows, and that's just the sad reality of it. Also, free music decreases the value of music and just becuase you give your music away to more people does not mean that these people will become your fans. A music listener who just finds free songs is of less value to you than a music fan who would enjoy access to songs not available to everyone else. Your fans are willing to pay, so just ask them to - don't kiss a gift horse in the mouth!