i figure i have something to say about this since i am in the business in all aspects myself. first of all, i download a lot of music and listen to it. if i like it a lot, i will buy the cd and bury it in my shelf (unopened). i only use mp3 as a medium to listen to music these days.
then why do i buy the cds? simple.. i want to support the artist so that he/she can keep producing.
being a compose of electronic ambient myself, i know for certain that i will never make much money off music. so far, i have released ALL my music for free on the internet. however, summer of 2006 i will release my first "real" CD, and it will be available in most chillout/ambient webshops. i do hope my fans will buy the cd to support me, so that i can, for instance, buy myself a new synth or a new headset.. or other gear that could make my productions better.
its like with street musicians, i give them money if i actually enjoy the show. ofcourse, these usually suck, but every now and then you hear something nice. doesnt it make YOU feel good to support this artist then?
so in essence, i dont think this discussion is about what artists wants you do to, or record labels wants you to do. it is obviously quite clear that they want you to pay for the music. but how do you feel? you think there should be a bunch of people sitting around paying money to make music YOU enjoy? do YOU really find that ok?
a bit of soulsearching fellas
.xerxes
