2014 has got no Platinum record yet

[Nebulous]

It would be really interesting to compare the total volume of sales from 1994 vs 2014, where 1994 would be only physical sales and 2014 would be a combination of physical and digital.
Could it be that it 2014 there is not only far more music being obtained without payment, but also that in 2014 the music is so much more attainable, allowing underground artists as a group to take a larger market share than what they had in 1994?

 

[indecizo]

Congrats on blaming me for google, youtube, NSA, and their pervert pals.



Why even say this? How are said names above related to Illuminati? Actually don't answer. There are like 3 channels to get music these days and if you fail to see the big brother in that then good luck to you, NSA is hiring and I am sure they can use a few more pervs on this board.

I nominate this for stupidest post of 2014.

 

[Genius Gone Insane]

@nebulous - I would add to that distinct listens...ie I may not own the new Exodus but I've listened to it on Youtube multiple times, as if I owned it.

@other folks - I gave my opinion, if you think it is stupid fine but I think slinging shit at me for sharing my opinion is ridiculous. It's not like I am the only one with that opinion for fuck sake.

 

[indecizo]

I take that back.

 

[egan.]

pretty sure you're just a paid NSA shill after this comment.

They're a more reliable source of income than royalty checks, although the lizard people at ASCAP did send worthless, non-gold-backed currency to my sheeple bank account thus furthering the NWO.

 

[indecizo]

GGI just because you're not the only one who thinks that way doesn't make you any less stupid. Those are not opinions, those are your beliefs and you shout them as if they were factual and without any evidence, argument (or point) to support them. You literally post the same shit over and over and you can't be any more vague but at least you are a good source of entertainment.

 

[egan.]

It would be really interesting to compare the total volume of sales from 1994 vs 2014, where 1994 would be only physical sales and 2014 would be a combination of physical and digital.
Could it be that it 2014 there is not only far more music being obtained without payment, but also that in 2014 the music is so much more attainable, allowing underground artists as a group to take a larger market share than what they had in 1994?

I don't have the numbers on hand but the reality is the industry is financially more top heavy than ever b/c majors negotiated far better deals with YT, spotify and other streaming avenues. It's also worth noting that b/c there is almost no barrier to entry, more artists at the bottom are competing for listens so even if there is a net increase in listens in the bottom 90%, it may not equate to more exposure per artist.

 

[Genius Gone Insane]

In 1994 there were countless channels to buy CDs, records, and tapes. Now due to globalization there are only a handful of places selling music and they all have nearly identical catalogues. And they are all run by billionaires, and YES they are watching you. For sure they are watching me, I guarantee that.

 

[egan.]

In 1994 there were countless channels to buy CDs, records, and tapes. Now due to globalization there are only a handful of places selling music and they all have nearly identical catalogues. And they are all run by billionaires, and YES they are watching you. For sure they are watching me, I guarantee that.

Can you name a single non-major label release that can't be bought directly from the band or indie label? In 1994 that meant sending concealed cash in an envelope and hoping you'd get something back in a month.

 

[He's Dead, Jim]

For sure they are watching me, I guarantee that.

 

[Star Ark]

Music education is the only safe employment stream left IMO. Other entertainment industries won't fare so well in the future but there will always be a need for teachers purely for people who love it as a hobby. I can't imagine film school or acting being seriously pursued if the box office sales die but there will always be a need for music. It's both good and bad, the world is finally going to accept that most stars prop up their image with smoke and mirrors and the average joe working a 9 - 5 is every bit as talented and capable. People still insult Ulrich for the napster thing, I wonder if they will ever admit he was right?

 

[Clockwork]

Congrats on blaming me for google, youtube, NSA, and their pervert pals.



Why even say this? How are said names above related to Illuminati? Actually don't answer. There are like 3 channels to get music these days and if you fail to see the big brother in that then good luck to you, NSA is hiring and I am sure they can use a few more pervs on this board.

Normally NSA references are a few posts away from Illuminati ones, thought I'd jump things ahead. But it was just a joke, sorry to get your jimmies rustled.

I think Egan makes a good point about getting music direct from the artist though, if that doesn't undermine the big bro I dunno what does.

 

[AD Chaos]

Imo the internet hurts musicians not only with YouTube and iTunes ripping them off, but also as a distraction tool that takes you away from your instrument, and your music. It has its uses, sure.. but imagine if we would have spent all the time we have here in the net playing, composing, etc instead

I think that side of things doesn't get mentioned a lot but it's just as important, if not more.

 

[Genius Gone Insane]

Imo the internet hurts musicians not only with YouTube and iTunes ripping them off, but also as a distraction tool that takes you away from your instrument, and your music. It has its uses, sure.. but imagine if we would have spent all the time we have here in the net playing, composing, etc instead

I think that side of things doesn't get mentioned a lot but it's just as important, if not more.

This is a good point. Your avatar isn't helping things either. : )

 

[AD Chaos]

^ haha yes it's ironic, I know

Music education is the only safe employment stream left IMO. Other entertainment industries won't fare so well in the future but there will always be a need for teachers purely for people who love it as a hobby.

I wouldn't be so optimistic about that either, I mean, as far as teaching people who take it up as a hobby (which is what I do, mostly) it could be one of the last things to perish, sure, but as far as music education as a serious career, I can see that taking a hit as well, eventually. I guess only classical musicians and the like would be the ones to come off less affected.

 

[egan.]

From what I've seen music ed has taken a hit but not for lack of interest but rather b/c the lack of viability of performance careers means that many highly skilled musicians flood to education for a fail safe while the previous generation of educators isn't retiring (all of this from a US perspective). The failure of the old guard to retire is an issue in all of higher ed but I think music is particularly vulnerable.
To your previous point, I think it's interesting for sure although I'd suggest that every generation has had their distractions (TV, video games, drugs, etc.). On the positive the internet has given us all of these ways to talk, learn and share music that I personally find inspiring. It's allowed a lot of us to be apart of great music that transcends location so music doesn't need a local scene to thrive. Obviously that decentralization has as many negative as positive repercussions so I'm happy to be old enough to have experienced both models.

 

[FrankTheSmith]

hmu for Illuminati memberships.

 

[Star Ark]

^ haha yes it's ironic, I know



I wouldn't be so optimistic about that either, I mean, as far as teaching people who take it up as a hobby (which is what I do, mostly) it could be one of the last things to perish, sure, but as far as music education as a serious career, I can see that taking a hit as well, eventually. I guess only classical musicians and the like would be the ones to come off less affected.

You could be right. In Australia the classical and brass bands get aprox 90% of the government funding which goes to paying for music on public holidays/street festivals etc. I'm not certain if that is because the government wants fine arts as opposed to modern artists at the big public events or if it is because there are so many eager modern artists prepared to play for free. I imagine it is an image thing and that Mr and Mrs Hoity Toity would be horrified if angsty rock guys were represented and not finer arts. This probably goes for most countries and instrumental brass bands and orchestras will keep getting all the funding. It always makes me wonder where a solo tuba player belongs and why almosy every high school keeps pushing for kids to learn how to emulate instead of innovate. Im a music teacher and sometimes schools will ignore 50 odd guitar students so one classically trained viola player can have a chance. I don't know what becomes of these finer arts students but I suspect they end up where I am, teaching kids how play at high schools.

 

[drew_drummer]

As a rock band, you cannot get government funding without jumping through hoops, or appealing in some way to the public sector. There is still quite a lot of classism when it comes to music. You can get help from organisations such as the PRS Foundation, but again... plenty of hoops to jump through.

 

[egan.]

There is still quite a lot of classism when it comes to music.

I completely agree. It's funny b/c I've recorded lots of events by university faculty and grad students that were so hilariously and willfully obtuse. For some reason that pinnacle of self absorption finds a beautiful and tenured home in academia.