Thoughts about the music business
- Thread starter tuonelan
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Glad I was of help
Being in a nostalgic 90's mood this weekend I was going through the great unplugged shows of the decade and they got me thinking why there aren't almost none these days. The answer, of course, is obvious - the bands back then were a whole lot more talented. It takes quite a bit of talent to write good songs, which can be arranged for an acoustic show, you need good musicians and a killer singer. You just can't hide any shortcomings with effects in an acoustic show.
Whereas today it's all blah-blah-blah, wah-wah-wah and Pro Tools. Even in rock and metal today there are so many shit bands, it's unbelievable.
The lack of ideas is just scary.
Pretty much everything good and worthy that comes out today is more or less rehashed old stuff.
I sometimes wonder whatever happened to the talented people and if the industry itself isn't to blame...
</rant>
Just went into my iTunes and noticed that I had never purchased Cynic's Traced in Air despite it having been on my computer since I saw them on tour with Meshuggah four years ago. Sorry, Cynic. I've now made amends with a purchase and will have to think about getting a shirt as well as my penance.
Bless me, Ronnie James Dio, for I have sinned...
Bless me, Ronnie James Dio, for I have sinned...
Also, finally watched Amanda Palmer's TED talk about crowdsourcing. Interesting take on this subject if you have the time.
papajohnny
Member
Arise, Lazarus, arise from your grave!
...
http://thetrichordist.com/2013/06/2...-than-what-i-make-from-a-single-t-shirt-sale/
A perspective on streaming.
...
http://thetrichordist.com/2013/06/2...-than-what-i-make-from-a-single-t-shirt-sale/
A perspective on streaming.
Kirk Hammett says that iTunes and the Web are destroying music.
Shopiiiiiiiiiiiiiing/Shop and buy toys
I'd rather have a vital metal scene with a bunch of bands playing smaller shows and making enough to pay the bills than a half dozen Rock Stars making bank with middle-of-the-road music. Not that I think we have to choose.
What a bunch of whiners, and what a load of disrespect for bands that work harder making better music for less fame and reward.
Seriously, I am so over these fat cats I can hardly listen to their good stuff without feeling like I'm enabling their douchebaggery.
Shopiiiiiiiiiiiiiing/Shop and buy toys
I'd rather have a vital metal scene with a bunch of bands playing smaller shows and making enough to pay the bills than a half dozen Rock Stars making bank with middle-of-the-road music. Not that I think we have to choose.
What a bunch of whiners, and what a load of disrespect for bands that work harder making better music for less fame and reward.
Seriously, I am so over these fat cats I can hardly listen to their good stuff without feeling like I'm enabling their douchebaggery.
Oh, not again! So should we expect the shutdown of iTunes and the Web, for that matter? So we can accommodate the greatest musical talents that ever walked the Earth?
Metallica are a bunch of boring douchebags. Seen them twice. The second time I left in the middle of the show, because I got bored witless.uke:uke:uke:
Always thought they were extremely overrated, though I can't deny they got some decent tunes. But in the recent years it's getting really unbearable. Next thing we know bloody Myley Cyrus will do e Matallica cover. Either her, or Justin Bieber. Mark my words, it's only a matter of time.
Metallica are a bunch of boring douchebags. Seen them twice. The second time I left in the middle of the show, because I got bored witless.
uke:uke:uke:Always thought they were extremely overrated, though I can't deny they got some decent tunes. But in the recent years it's getting really unbearable. Next thing we know bloody Myley Cyrus will do e Matallica cover. Either her, or Justin Bieber. Mark my words, it's only a matter of time.
papajohnny
Member
When I remember my rant about being ditched by my friends half a year ago to go to Metallica show, I feel a bit embarrassed.
But that was a Gojira show, too, so not that embarrassed.
But that was a Gojira show, too, so not that embarrassed.
The metalheads I know tend to respect the old guard while keeping an open mind to the new. I think that's a good trait. Metallica were great in their prime and metal would not be the same without them. It's just sad that their prime is so long ago and that they are so far from it.
Thrash is not my favorite genre of metal, but if I were to drop money for a thrash show, I'd rather give that money to Testament, who are still going strong, or to some band like Warbringer, who seem like down-to-earth guys. Megatallicadeth don't appreciate how fortunate they have been or how much of their lifestyle is paid for by people who have to make sacrifices just to buy a CD.
Thrash is not my favorite genre of metal, but if I were to drop money for a thrash show, I'd rather give that money to Testament, who are still going strong, or to some band like Warbringer, who seem like down-to-earth guys. Megatallicadeth don't appreciate how fortunate they have been or how much of their lifestyle is paid for by people who have to make sacrifices just to buy a CD.
papajohnny
Member
I think that no real metal circle/fan would deny the importance Metallica's early albums, as well as those of their colleagues from the days of yore, when denim, leather, thrashing and banging head against the stage were in their prime.
But those times are behind, and there's quality music (thrash, or any other) out there right now, waiting to be found. Thrash isn't dead (it's not my favorite genre either, but I hope it never dies), but Megatallicadeth, Slayer and all other big bands that have outgrown themselves are, at least in a creativity sense.
No matter what they do, kiddies will want to hear their most popular songs, "old-school" will complain that what's new isn't Kill 'em All/Show No Mercy/Killing is My Business, and in reality their albums will not be anything special when compared to that new little band which is doing something fresh for a change... and there you have it, a repetitive, soulless, money-making machine of a music business which has lost its spark long ago.
But those times are behind, and there's quality music (thrash, or any other) out there right now, waiting to be found. Thrash isn't dead (it's not my favorite genre either, but I hope it never dies), but Megatallicadeth, Slayer and all other big bands that have outgrown themselves are, at least in a creativity sense.
No matter what they do, kiddies will want to hear their most popular songs, "old-school" will complain that what's new isn't Kill 'em All/Show No Mercy/Killing is My Business, and in reality their albums will not be anything special when compared to that new little band which is doing something fresh for a change... and there you have it, a repetitive, soulless, money-making machine of a music business which has lost its spark long ago.
Oh, it just keeps getting better: Metallica: ‘Bands could buy our leftover riffs. We have spares…’
Or should we start a Metallica-bashing thread?
Or should we start a Metallica-bashing thread?
papajohnny
Member
If it grows to become a general hate thread against certain metal bands, then f*ck yeah.
All jokes aside, we should open a thread where we would criticize and discuss about what bands are doing wrong.
All jokes aside, we should open a thread where we would criticize and discuss about what bands are doing wrong.
Volbeat are whining too.
Looks like this is an epidemic. I can't help but wonder, though, if the other scenes are also full of sorry ass whiners, or is it just in metal and rock. I don't have many observations from, say, pop, or rap, but I don't think they're whining left, right and centre about how downloads destroy their art. In most cases "art" is an overstatement anyway, but I hope you get my point.
Looks like this is an epidemic. I can't help but wonder, though, if the other scenes are also full of sorry ass whiners, or is it just in metal and rock. I don't have many observations from, say, pop, or rap, but I don't think they're whining left, right and centre about how downloads destroy their art. In most cases "art" is an overstatement anyway, but I hope you get my point.
koivusaari
Member
I cannot believe what happened to Volbeat. They used to be one of my favorite bands, but not anymore. Reading Bands cant survive on album sales alone by band which sold at least 100k copies of latest album makes me sick. Just imagine if they get only 1 euro per cd is already good amount of money, but of course they get more. Not to mention they earn shitloads of money by playing live. Just shut up, Michael.
Well, I've always believed that music is about art, emotions and talent and showcasing them to as many people as you can. Call me crazy, but I do find it rather weird that the musicians are whining that they have to tour. I thought this is part of the job description. And has always been. The bigger they get, the louder they whine, the more expensive the t-shirts are...
Like I always said, if it weren't for the internet, we wouldn't have had half the bands we have now. Or at least they wouldn't have been as popular, as they are.
I suggest the musicians stop complaining about the internet and the fans downloading stuff and start complaining about the greedy and retrograde musical industry, instead.
If they believe in their own talent, I guess they can make it without the labels. On the internet. But of course, it is hard work and requires a bit of an effort. It's so much easier to sell your soul to the labels and just sit on the sofa and whine how you don't make enough from CD sales and have to tour to make some money.
I guess the golden era of rock and roll millionaires is long since over. There are a few left, but eventually they'll disappear.
If the current rock and metal musicians are in it for the money, well... Tough luck! Go try rap!
Like I always said, if it weren't for the internet, we wouldn't have had half the bands we have now. Or at least they wouldn't have been as popular, as they are.
I suggest the musicians stop complaining about the internet and the fans downloading stuff and start complaining about the greedy and retrograde musical industry, instead.
If they believe in their own talent, I guess they can make it without the labels. On the internet. But of course, it is hard work and requires a bit of an effort. It's so much easier to sell your soul to the labels and just sit on the sofa and whine how you don't make enough from CD sales and have to tour to make some money.
I guess the golden era of rock and roll millionaires is long since over. There are a few left, but eventually they'll disappear.
If the current rock and metal musicians are in it for the money, well... Tough luck! Go try rap!
Eurynome
Kukkahattutäti
Volbeat for one should shut up indeed and realize how privileged they have been, at least here in the Nordic countries. Few of the bands that emerged over the past decade have enjoyed such an absolutely massive promotional support - for a while, particularly in 2009, the only way of protecting yourself was to boycot all festivals and never to open the radio. For them to condemn the internet is a slap in the face of the gazillions of other bands who simply have no other way of getting their stuff heard (and, ideally, sold).
But what would the world be without a few absolute truths. If a record sells, it's because the band is good. If it doesn't sell, it's because the fans are bad. And homefucking kills prostitution.
papajohnny
Member
I understand musicians complaining that "new" generations are failing to appreciate the beauty of a physical release of an album. For me, without a jewel case, a vinyl sleeve or whatever, a work of art cannot be complete. It's like seeing a famous painting on your desktop and seeing it in a museum. No matter how high the resolution goes, it's just not it.
So, in a way, I can understand why certain bands don't appreciate downloading. In the same time, those bands are the ones who put out an amazing physical release, not a crappy iTunes catalogue, those are the ones who care about their fans (by fans I mean people who actually support the band), or at least care to make a good album/show, and not just go from place to place, from record to record, from a money bag to a money bag.
Earning from music business is no sin - but please, keep your hypocrisy to the lowest level. If it weren't for downloading, the clubs where you played would be half empty. If it weren't for downloading, nobody would sing those songs at your show. If it weren't for downloading, nobody would order an album from your website. If it weren't for downloading, nobody would know who you are.
In my mind, there are three kinds of bands, and I appreciate all of those, if done right.
Those who prefer to stay "underground", who make music for a niche and their own pleasure, and don't care that much about money and popularity. And they wish to stay that way. If they complain about illegal downloading, I can understand. But in general, they don't, really.
Then there are those who don't really care about anything and just play. They don't care if their stuff is pirated or sold, as long as people appreciate it. These guys are, in my eyes, probably the best.
And those who wish to go "overground", into the mainstream. These guys have no right to complain. No piracy, no mainstream. And then you have no money. If you bitch about not earning enough from your "art", then FOAD or get a real job. I don't give you a cent.
So. fucking. awesome.
I bow before you, ma'am.
So, in a way, I can understand why certain bands don't appreciate downloading. In the same time, those bands are the ones who put out an amazing physical release, not a crappy iTunes catalogue, those are the ones who care about their fans (by fans I mean people who actually support the band), or at least care to make a good album/show, and not just go from place to place, from record to record, from a money bag to a money bag.
Earning from music business is no sin - but please, keep your hypocrisy to the lowest level. If it weren't for downloading, the clubs where you played would be half empty. If it weren't for downloading, nobody would sing those songs at your show. If it weren't for downloading, nobody would order an album from your website. If it weren't for downloading, nobody would know who you are.
In my mind, there are three kinds of bands, and I appreciate all of those, if done right.
Those who prefer to stay "underground", who make music for a niche and their own pleasure, and don't care that much about money and popularity. And they wish to stay that way. If they complain about illegal downloading, I can understand. But in general, they don't, really.
Then there are those who don't really care about anything and just play. They don't care if their stuff is pirated or sold, as long as people appreciate it. These guys are, in my eyes, probably the best.
And those who wish to go "overground", into the mainstream. These guys have no right to complain. No piracy, no mainstream. And then you have no money. If you bitch about not earning enough from your "art", then FOAD or get a real job. I don't give you a cent.
So. fucking. awesome.
I bow before you, ma'am.
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