I tend to think that only about large major label bands. underground bands need all the support they can get, and even a few bucks per CD is good, but for popular bands that will be played on TV and radio often (i.e. Metallica) they don't need the money or attention from album sales. Names like Metallica will sell anthing, as will the MTV hype (although I don't mean to be stereotypical). This idea got out with the huge Napster vs. Labels/Bands war, and it probably applies to established acts, as the name/image will often sell more than the music, their music careers aren't like the underground bands. The idea that bands make most of their money from tours is overapplied. The labels may get a chunk of the profit from albums and merchandise, but it's not necessary to a band that sells a hundred thousand CD's, never mind millions. Anyone that manages to acheive a status like that will make a living from their music fairly easily. For anyone to sell a million copies of a record takes a high profile and big image, often already inflated by the record company. Undderground bands work hard on their music and use that as the main factor to push their CD sales, not counting on much if any promo from their label. Integrity never got a band to the top, and once you're well on the way there, you already have a strong image and label backing. The CD sales won't effect you much, since you're far from ordinary with your concert earnings and already have the label backing. To get started on the way there, you need the initial sales to get your label/promoters attention as having a following that they can profit of. None of the underground bands have strong image and high profile because once they have that, their label would have helped them acheive it, and they would be breaking out and becoming more mainstream.FuSoYa said:Yeah actually in my opinion buying from a store or from Tzadik is better than buying it from us directly, because the more sales these parties see, the more likely it is that we'll get releases/budgets/tour support/etc. in the future.
This is also a good time to mention the filesharing issue - I've heard that a lot of people's justification for not buying the CD is because bands make most of their money off touring and not off actual CD sales. This is pretty much bullshit, mostly because the more albums you sell, the more in favor of your label you are, and the more likely it is for them to release more of your records and give you bigger recording budgets and all that type of thing.
In short, buying from retail stores is good.
Steve420 said:$14?
most CD's at FYE are $19+ even if it's just an EP (In Flames - Trigger was $19 there and $5.50 at The End)
Firedwarf said:It's the FYE at Somerset mall (North side) in Troy, Michigan.
Keep me updated on the ordering status!