[microsound] Thoughtless idiots who masquerade as supporters of small labels (isjtar)

Mon May 9 11:36:12 EDT 2011

Only way the OP's post could be more cliche is by using this graph:
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110411/16551713858/new-riaa-evidence-comes-to-light-is-there-nothing-file-sharing-cant-destroy.shtml

On Mon, May 9, 2011 at 8:20 AM, Jeffrey Melton <jeffreymelton at gmail.com>wrote:

>  This thread touches on issues that many of us on here face, though with
> differing attitudes and emotions on what the best approach may be. Making
> art/music for-its-own-sake vs. making a living vs. getting heard vs. getting
> paid have all been on my mind for years. (BTW, I think this *is* appropriate
> discussion for this list as the halo activities around making music).
> Sometimes it's a lonely venture to produce, promote and love the music we
> must make.
>
>
> If it's the leaking that has you most upset, I'd recommend eliminating the
> weak links in the distribution and promotion chain: physical duplication and
> promo copies are typically where leaks occur. Consider not sending out
> physical promo/review copies but provide streaming-only versions via
> Bandcamp and/or Soundcloud (though these can be ripped as well. Rule of
> thumb: if it's digital, it's rip-able. Also, ANYTHING is copyable by those
> determined to do so -- just look at the vinyl/cassette rippers and book
> scanners. One person's sharing is another person's piracy).
>
>
> Better yet, consider any listener a potential reviewer and make the
> previews public. What we as a cottage industry may have lost in potential
> revenue we could gain in social capital and network effects. Some may resent
> copying, but being widely distributed may bring a release a larger audience
> with more potential connections/feedback/revenue.
>
>
> If it's the costs to produce a product that have you down, consider a
> crowd-funded approach for a project (e.g. Kickstarter.com) to minimize your
> upfront costs and ensure you have a paying audience (it only gets made if
> people commit their support, and they get more perks for greater commitment
> of support). Personally I wouldn't buy a physical CD since I listen to music
> on my computer and iOS devices, but I would consider purchasing a project on
> cassette or vinyl, both for it being unique and the experience of
> listening.
>
>
> There is such a glut of available music online (from free netlabels and
> self-publishers, file sharing and pirate sites and on and on), it's
> difficult to get heard let alone sold. Plus as stated already, the
> shelf-life of a new release is in hours, days and weeks any more, because
> people have such vast music libraries and attention is scarce. I'd consider
> myself flattered if I was ever pirated (though that probably doesn't take
> the sting out of it for you). For example, I worked for months on my 2010
> album of ambient and minimal pieces to only ever sell ONE copy. For me,
> number of listens/likes/links has supplanted sales/revenue as goals. A
> release's carrying capacity isn't just in number of units moved but the
> amount of potential exposure. I realize the perspective may be different for
> a label than an artist. YMMV.
>
> Jeffrey Melton aka nofi, The Silent Stars
>
> On Mon, May 9, 2011 at 1:18 AM, <microsound-request at or8.net> wrote:
>
>>
>> Message: 4
>> Date: Mon, 9 May 2011 07:18:10 +0200
>> From: isjtar <list at isjtar.org>
>> To: microsound at microsound.org
>> Subject: Re: [microsound] [microsound-announce] (amb) Thoughtless
>>        idiots who      masquerade as supporters of small labels
>> Message-ID: <33BAF211-30A9-4F13-A10C-5FFC1FF6185C at isjtar.org>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> personally, I don't spend money on music anymore (to listen to that is)
>>
>> however, if there would be a subscription service with a large selection
>> of obscure stuff, I'd really dig that.
>> experimental stuff with it's extreme highs and lows really fit this model
>> as you don't take the same "risk" as buying an album.
>> with some community features it would also help me find things, don't have
>> the time anymore to be really "into it" if you know what I mean.
>>
>> then secondly, David, the amounts you're talking about are so low, can you
>> not get some type of grant or a fundraising?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On 08 May 2011, at 16:56, David Newman wrote:
>>
>> > I have never illegally downloaded music - fact.
>> >
>> > David Newman
>> >
>> > http://www.audiomoves.com | Audiomoves > Digital audio solutions
>> >
>> > http://www.audiobulb.com | Audiobulb Records > Exploratory music
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > From: Maya R. Odinezenko [mailto:maya at elevatorium.org]
>> > Sent: 08 May 2011 15:43
>> > To: David Newman
>> > Cc: <idm at hyperreal.org>; ambient; <
>> microsound-announce at microsound.nexthop.net>
>> > Subject: Re: (amb) Thoughtless idiots who masquerade as supporters of
>> small labels
>> >
>> > No, I am not naive.
>> > I've been in the industry and I know how it is.
>> >
>> > You're taking this way too personally, as in the person deliberately
>> planned to hurt you and specifically you only.
>> >
>> > People do not share for an ego boost.  They share bc they want people to
>> hear what they feel is great music.  And they will buy the CD.  If they
>> don't buy today, they will tomorrow.  They *WILL* always buy.  For those who
>> don't buy this release, they'll buy the next one.  However, as long as one
>> puts out quality, they'll always be able to sell it.
>> >
>> > Do not think like a major label, bc look at the state they're all in.
>>  They cry and cry and still make cookie cutter crap.
>> >
>> > For the love of music, please get off your high horse and calm down.  I
>> bet you've downloaded music before.  You cannot say you didn't, bc anyone
>> who owns a computer and has a brain downloads music.
>> >
>> > A ton of people in the industry download music.
>> >
>> > Sent from my iPhone
>> >
>> > On May 7, 2011, at 12:08 PM, "David Newman" <dwnewman at clara.co.uk>
>> wrote:
>> >
>> >> Maya
>> >>
>> >> You are so naive
>> >>
>> >> The artist has made the music over a course of years. It is ambient
>> music.
>> >>
>> >> He has worked on his craft to the point where a label is prepared to
>> invest in getting it made into a CD, promoted and sold.
>> >>
>> >> I don't do this for the money - I do it for the love of the music. I
>> work hours and hours and hours per week on it. As well as hold down my main
>> job. I do it out of love for the music.
>> >>
>> >> But if I invest ?900 and don't receive a near break even return then I
>> go out of business and the music is not released.... the smaller labels get
>> forced out and we are left with myspace unsigned and the majors.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> David Newman
>> >>
>> >> http://www.audiomoves.com | Audiomoves > Digital audio solutions
>> >>
>> >> http://www.audiobulb.com | Audiobulb Records > Exploratory music
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> From: Maya R. Odinezenko [mailto:maya at elevatorium.org]
>> >> Sent: 07 May 2011 16:11
>> >> To: David Newman
>> >> Cc: <idm at hyperreal.org>; ambient; <
>> microsound-announce at microsound.nexthop.net>
>> >> Subject: Re: (amb) Thoughtless idiots who masquerade as supporters of
>> small labels
>> >>
>> >> Honestly, I really wouldn't complain.
>> >>
>> >> I know this will come off as harsh, but it really bothers me people use
>> this list more for promoting their own stuff than just talking about ambient
>> music.
>> >>
>> >> You're already investing in making music, but it sounds like you're
>> involved more fir making some sort if cash flow as opposed to just making
>> music for the sake of art/the love of it.
>> >>
>> >> If I were a musician, I'd be flattered my music was being shared.  At
>> least it's good enough to be shared.  If people dig it, they will buy it.
>>  There are a ton of artists I invested in after I downloaded their stuff.
>> >>
>> >> The investment is there for you, don't blame file sharing for losing
>> sales.  Maybe people want to try before they buy, bc technology in this day
>> and age allows them to do so.
>> >>
>> >> Just saying.
>> >>
>> >> Sent from my iPhone
>> >>
>> >> On May 7, 2011, at 9:27 AM, "David Newman" <dwnewman at clara.co.uk>
>> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> To the thoughtless idiots....
>> >>>
>> >>> So here I am 3 weeks from the release of a beautiful album by A
>> Dancing Beggar.
>> >>>
>> >>> http://www.audiobulb.com/albums/AB036/AB036.htm
>> >>>
>> >>> The album has been sent out as per usual to 120 reviewers on our promo
>> list. One or more of these people who purport to support independent music
>> and small labels has uploaded the album onto every file sharing platform
>> there is.
>> >>>
>> >>> So it's out - people can help themselves for free. The ?200 I spent on
>> postage won't get recouped, the ?750 I spent on making the CD won't get
>> recouped.
>> >>>
>> >>> Some people think it's easy balancing the books if you are a record
>> small record company - I can tell you it is not. I only made 500 of these
>> and if I don't get close to ?900 back I can see Audiobulb sinking/closing
>> for good.
>> >>>
>> >>> So you may be thinking why am I ranting at you? Well I don't know who
>> has done this - they hide behind stupid names in Fileshare etc - but whoever
>> you are - you are selfish, thoughtless and stupid.
>> >>>
>> >>> David Newman
>> >>>
>> >>> http://www.audiomoves.com | Audiomoves > Digital audio solutions
>> >>>
>> >>> http://www.audiobulb.com | Audiobulb Records > Exploratory music
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >> No virus found in this message.
>> >> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> >> Version: 10.0.1321 / Virus Database: 1500/3621 - Release Date: 05/06/11
>> >>
>> >
>> > No virus found in this message.
>> > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> > Version: 10.0.1321 / Virus Database: 1500/3623 - Release Date: 05/07/11
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
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>> > microsound-announce at microsound.org
>> > http://or8.net/mailman/listinfo/microsound-announce
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>> End of microsound Digest, Vol 29, Issue 3
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>
>
>
> --
> jeffrey melton | p.o.box 10231 | fort wayne, IN | 46851-0231 | USA
>
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