The Ipod Generation (Music Biz related)

SPlDEY

What's good fam? So... I have this new band, that I'm kind of proud of. I know for a fact I'm not going to get rich from the project. I also know that we're not Club Friendly, Radio friendly, and that I probably won't get a local following either. However, fuck it. I enjoy it, and would like to have the opportunity to see if others would too. I'm convinced that getting into selling music and making a living off of it is becoming more and more unrealistic. In my town, we're losing so many record stores, It's not even funny. No more Virgin, Tower, one of the record citys, we're losing Big B's (college local spot). Literally If you want to buy any major release CD now, your options are Best Buy, Walmart, Target and Zia. I mean what chances do I have with an Indie label to get into actual retail stores?I know alot of you are artists, who are getting out there. I'm wondering if any of you have any thoughts or advice on what I'm rambling about. Is it worth it to start an original band, anymore? (monty) Is it worth it to put time money and effort into making an album even if it'll only be appreciated post-humously? I know alot of people more talented than me who make music that doesn't get the props it deserves. It really makes me disillusioned, and confused about the whole process.It's almost 4 am and I'm depressed. - spidey

fejmelba

there is this dutch band that faced the same problem and they came up with the idea of giving the cd an extra. it became a key to a web site were you can download other songs of the band. they update their site every month. so people that buy it could have the benefits that the illegal versions dont have.
this seems to be an succes that even robbie williams copied the idea.
and others will follow.
how about that for a

Flomotion

What's good fam? So... I have this new band, that I'm kind of proud of. I know for a fact I'm not going to get rich from the project. I also know that we're not Club Friendly, Radio friendly, and that I probably won't get a local following either. However, fuck it. I enjoy it, and would like to have the opportunity to see if others would too.

I'm convinced that getting into selling music and making a living off of it is becoming more and more unrealistic. In my town, we're losing so many record stores, It's not even funny. No more Virgin, Tower, one of the record citys, we're losing Big B's (college local spot). Literally If you want to buy any major release CD now, your options are Best Buy, Walmart, Target and Zia. I mean what chances do I have with an Indie label to get into actual retail stores?

I know alot of you are artists, who are getting out there. I'm wondering if any of you have any thoughts or advice on what I'm rambling about. Is it worth it to start an original band, anymore? (monty) Is it worth it to put time money and effort into making an album even if it'll only be appreciated post-humously? I know alot of people more talented than me who make music that doesn't get the props it deserves. It really makes me disillusioned, and confused about the whole process.

It's almost 4 am and I'm depressed.

- spidey

Don't get depressed about it. All that's changed is the distribution. You've got to go digital and get smart about because that's where people buy their music now. You've simply got to embrace online if you want to find an audience. Doesn't mean you have any more chance of recognition than you would have had five years ago with a physical product in a shop but without it you're kind of sunk.

RAJ

Hey man... This day and age. Set up a MySpace page and sell your CD off there. Also -- shouldn't be hard to get your band on iTunes for people who want to download only.

SPlDEY

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm just wondering does Itunes, Myspace and Digital stores count as actual exposure? Will the average person check for good music and actually pay for it like that? I guess I need to become familiar.

I know I have to figure out what Genre we fit in musically so we can hop on some kind of Indie label. Cause I know cats will check for like stuff on labels.

Also, the Idea of keeping up a website on the band with updated information is probably a real good one. I'll definitely try to hop on that.

Anybody know of a label that will house a band that does 70's sounding funky psych latin rock?

Ps, Is anybody here going through the same troubles I'm talking about in this thread, and how are you dealing with it?

- spidey

Supergood

I can't drop any useful gems of knowledge here, but I definitely know what you're going through. Got the myspace page and a homemade CD for sale on cdbaby. A nationally distributed remix I did for a fairly-known house producer is currently available in record shops and on Beatport. I thought the remix would garner some kind of publicity for my own work, but it sadly has not been the case. I am strictly a producer/songwriter; I don't play live or DJ.

Sales for my own CD have been slow-to-nonexistent. Sent some demos out to labels that release similar music (semi-modern souly instrumental stuff), but the fish ain't biting. I have not gone down the digital distribution/iTunes route yet, but plan to next year.

The problems I'm having, besides the current reality that no one believes or is interested in my music other than myself and immediate family, is advertising the product in an effective, affordable way and getting the music distributed to (probably specialist) shops.

I'm dealing with the disappointment strictly by making the kind of music I myself would be interested in purchasing. Loner fonk 4 dayz.

SG

Pony

Has anyone tried the new myspace digital dwnld feature? I know I get a lot of requests for mp3's, it would be nice to get a little dough for those. I know I would play 99 cents a track for a high quality mp3, a lot of the best music on myspace is almost impossible to find elsewhere, I'm obviously in the minority though.

Supergood

Has anyone tried the new myspace digital dwnld feature?

I have yet to receive an email from myspace or anything indicating that my own page has the feature. Is this for select artists only or something?

Elitist Fonk?

SG iz

Guzzo

I'm convinced that getting into selling music and making a living off of it is becoming more and more unrealistic. In my town, we're losing so many record stores, It's not even funny. No more Virgin, Tower, one of the record citys, we're losing Big B's (college local spot).
- spidey

D****,

Is Big B's closing shop? If so its truly sad I cut my vinyl teeth there and the moments I had working there are some of the best memories I gained living in Las Vegas

sticky_dojah

Don't get depressed about it. All that's changed is the distribution. You've got to go digital and get smart about because that's where people buy their music now.

Who told you this? So far noone could tell me how I can make money there as a label or an artist... The only money made in the industry is by intermediaries who act between the label and Itunes. And itunes of course. At least over here. Nonone I know pays for online music. Well, except one. But thats it. Soulseek? Blogs? Myspace?

You've simply got to embrace online if you want to find an audience. Doesn't mean you have any more chance of recognition than you would have had five years ago with a physical product in a shop but without it you're kind of sunk.

Thats true. Make your shit hot, thats almost all...and you need some people who, well...buy 0's and 1's aka music oinline...

anyone here ever heard of potatosystems.com? It's like a snowball system where you can dl a track and if someone else gets it from your website you get money for it. Nice idea, but it is very unsexy. And still noone I know pays for music online. Who does here? Jus gimme that brick and mortar back...

joaobossa

noone I know pays for music online. Who does here?

people who pay for music online are not likely to be on SS: casual music fans who are mid-to-upper class and females.

SPlDEY

D****,

Is Big B's closing shop? If so its truly sad I cut my vinyl teeth there and the moments I had working there are some of the best memories I gained living in Las Vegas

Yep man, I went there yesterday, and it was a sad site. All the records are confused, and dug through. Nothing new. I was told to get what I wanted because they're probably gonna do a massive sale to move out all the stock. Trust me, I've spent plenty of time myself in that store. It sucks to see 3 awesome record spots close in the same year.

- spidey

GenePontecorvo

D, that sucks about losing one of your spots. Hook up some mp3s though man. What instrument are you playing?

SPlDEY

Aye, it's all good man.. The records will find there way to me somehow haha. In this band I'm playing guitar. I'll send some stuff your way tonight if I can record tonights practice. We're gigging now to save up for a proper recording.

- spidey