While RIAA’s dogma would have us believe that the net in general, and P2P in particular, are killing the music industry, not everyone is suffering. Despite the alleged threats independent labels are adapting and thriving with these new means of distribution and marketing
New York Times – December 27, 2005:
Even as the recording industry staggers through another year of declining sales over all, there are new signs that a democratization of music made possible by the Internet is shifting the industry’s balance of power.
Exploiting online message boards, music blogs and social networks, independent music companies are making big advances at the expense of the four global music conglomerates, whose established business model of blockbuster hits promoted through radio airplay now looks increasingly outdated.
Independent labels account for more than 18 percent of album sales this year–their biggest share of the market in at least five years, according to Nielsen SoundScan data. (If several big independent companies whose music is marketed by the major music labels distribution units are included, the figure exceeds 27 percent.)
As someone once said, P2P could never kill off the music industry, merely the current one.
I know from my own experience that the net and P2P made me buy MORE music simply because I was exposed to more. Back in the 90s I simply stopped buying music. I was not impressed with anything I heard on the radio so I stuck with the stuff I grew up on. However, the original Napster awoken me out of my dogmatic slumber and exposed me to music I’d never heard before. I went from buying no CDs to about three a month. I’ve bought numerous CDs from Jamiroquai, Pizzicato Five, the Shoes, Rich Creamy Paint, just to name a few, merely because I was exposed to them.
We could debate all day about whether music sucks today versus the good old days. But there is no doubt that the major labels are focused solely on developing a quick buck based on style versus developing an artist of substance who’s career will last decades. The major music industry cannot continue to produce frivolous fluff and expect us to keep buying it. I’m glad to see the independent labels pick up the torch tossed aside by the major labels.
My favorite CD in recent years won a Grammy for Maria Schneider. The best orchestral jazz in a long time, her “Concert in a Garden” was sold exclusively from her website.
Samples and cuts were available from the beginning and she never put pen to paper with any recording company. She was the 1st Grammy-winner to have absolutely nothing to do with the recording industry slugs.
For years my belief is that there is so little music worth buying out there. All mainstream music is languishing in mediocrity. The music industry needs another Beatles or Elvis to again get our attention. I wonder, just how much of the music being d/l through P2P is more then 10 years old?