I can save the music industry.

[leapielee]

So I've been thinking a lot since SXSW and I think I have a way for some bands and labels to survive

Comments

[morbid_o]

I don't think that new bands are necessarily excluded by such a system, even, just that they are in a worse position than established bands. If it tended to the norm, people would expect it, and it wouldn't be as bad.

[grimepoch]

There are bands actually doing this sort of thing now. I wish for the life or me I could remember the article I was reading, as I do read a lot about the industry, and it was the same thing. The artist was talking about how the industry has changed.....ahh! I remember, it was Alan Wilder (ex Depeche Mode). His fans wanted one of his works released as a real CD. The label said not until the fans had all pre-bought it. In this case it did work

[leapielee]

I think the focus needs to shift from albums being the main source of income to focusing more on touring and merch sales. Instead of an album that we want to consume the industry should work to use fans desire for relationship with the artists to their advantage. The record industry just can't let go of album format, which definitely works for some artists, but not everyone. If people could hear all the new material from bands that are touring near them for free and without being hassled I think more people might be willing to come out for live shows. I don't know, for me albums have started to seem more like a promotional tool to sell the whole band, not just that one set of songs. But maybe that's because I'm opening crates and crates of promo CDs every day :-D

[grimepoch]

Haha, well, I could see that