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| From | Not Lame <popmusic@notlame.com> |
| Subject | Amen, Ronald.....New Music Industry Models? |
| Date | Fri, 20 Feb 2004 08:46:47 -0700 |
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> From: ronald and karen sanchez <eldeluxe@mcn.net>
> To: audities@smoe.org
> Subject: Re: CD sales in 2003
> Message-ID: <4035A08C.402DBB12@mcn.net>
>
> The reason for that is they spend so damn much money to make it "radio
> friendly" and then all the promo payola. I keep hearing from friends
> "if we don't spend $60K to record, we aren't even gonna get a chance". If you
> spend more than $5K you are doomed I'd say.
In connection to Jamie's post and Ronald's above....
AMEN!
This 'new' true-ism *is* the truth.......spend a reasonable
amount(reflective of where the numbers lie, in terms of sales--not on
pipedreams of endless hype feeding artists' desires to be stars and music
biz execs to be their own stars), say $5,000-$10,000 on a release(but flex
it up more if you have the funding).......find a way to *develop*, nurture,
uh, developing talent----guess what? you make money(granted, not a lot but
do what Jaimie does w/ volume and even Not Lame and you have 'something')
selling 1,000-4,000((((although, those are not our numbers now, *at
all*----I'm talking about majors and large indies. We're selling 500-1,000
of new bands' releases now, half of what we did two/three years ago----with
a few exceptions here and there))).
Let the band work the road, take the money there w T shirt sales, CD sales
off the stage, etc.(make them commit to the road to work their
careers)-----and guess what? You have something to truly BUILD on, artists
that fans to can hold hands with as they become more popular and who they
care for---AND these artists create more meaningful in their artistic
statements----and the labels watch their overhead---tie overhead to revenue
generated(wow, fathom *that* concept!) and you make money----and we all end
up in a better place.
This 'model' has been developing for a few years now(arguably since the punk
explosion)...but the machinery of the music business has chosen to ignore it
for decades, let alone the last few years of it slapping it in the face.
To the music industry: you want to understand what's going on? *really*?!
look first to the LOVE of music which this business used to be about and
helping artists get it heard----and TAKE some damn chances in yr
organizations and turn them inside out & upside down and set it up to be
profitable at every stage in the early parts of artist development(it's not
that hard, really!).....then, look to fledgling and even no-so-fledgling
indies who have nary a bit 'o soundscan action happening, have no money 'n
struggle every week, every month(w/ their money being spent, not
shareholders)----but year after year, they are doing it more than the majors
could ever dream of.
Even if companies like Not Lame and the rest of the indies on this list have
to rot in the dung pile of dead bodies this business has wrought for itself,
I believe it is a very good thing in the end-game of it all. I truly
believe 5 years from now, the business of music(for guys like me), the art
of creating music(for the musicians on this list) and enjoyment of music(for
all on this list) will be a historic phase of a new definition of
prosperity(less obsessed about Soundscan, sales) and enjoyment(fans thinking
for themselves, more organically).
Amen, Amen.
Peace Out,
Bruce
@ Not Lame
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