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Friday, October 24, 2008.
Perhaps my perspective will change
as I get older, but right now, this is how it is. No revisions,
no filtering. I speak for myself only.
This is my reality.
It's been 9 years since Metallica took on Napster. Seems like
just yesterday. 9 years ago I was in college, making fun of Metallica
just like everyone else. "Those greedy bastards!", we
all would say.
Being one of the first 15,000 people
to use the original Napster was the coolest thing of 1999, and
through the next few years it just exploded. Who were Metallica
to take that away from us? Napster revolutionized music distribution!
9 years later.
I'm in a band of my own, trying hard just like everyone else to
succeed in the wreck of a record industry that we have left. How
dismal it all is. There is now an entire generation of kids out
there who think they're entitled to free music, and I regretfully
contributed to that. Sure, Metallica tarnished themselves in the
midst of the whole debacle, but they weren't just looking out
for themselves. They were looking out for all musical artists.
They were right. Metallica, 9 years later, I now admit - you were
absolutely right. Artists rights must be protected.
I'm sorry, but if I own intellectual property, and you would like
to own a part of if for yourself, you must pay for it. Music is
not free by default. It should never be free. Consumers are not
entitled to free music. If an artist wants to release a free song
for download, that is their discretion. This is analogous to the
free-scoop-of-ice-cream day at Baskin Robbins. Ice cream is not
free. If you want it, you must go to the grocery store and buy
it. To attract new customers, Baskin Robbins will periodically
give away some of their product for free. You see where I'm going.
Since 1999, the record industry has been in absolute chaos. P2P
applications encourage illegal file sharing. CD sales have plummeted.
But Napster did do one thing right, which was to bring music distribution
into the 21st century, and inspire new technologies and business
platforms. Let's be honest here, if it weren't for Napster, there
would be no iPod, or more importantly, iTunes.
I love our fans, but it's bitter sweet to know that some of them
could have potentially downloaded our songs for free. I'm happy
that our music is valued, but let's be honest here…owning
music that you did not pay for is stealing unless it has been
made publicly available. And guess what? You're not hurting "The
Man." You're hurting me. You're hurting independent recording
artists. My band is not backed by any record label or sponsor.
Right now, we rely exclusively on direct support from consumers.
But what it consumers don't want to support us by handing over
$1 for one of our songs? Is that too much to ask? How much is
a coke? $1 for a song that will last your entire life, or $1 for
a coke that will last you 5 minutes. Come on! $1 is more than
fair.
And do you have any idea how much studio costs are? Let's break
it down for an album's worth of material. $50 per hour x 8 songs
at roughly 50 hours per song = $20,000! Who do you think pays
for that? The artist. How can artists possibly make a living or
break even when people steal their music?
Everyone likes music. Everyone wants NEW music. And believe me,
it is every artist's desire to be heard. Trust me, we want consumers
to hear our new music. But some people seem to have a problem
paying for music. Guess what? No one likes paying for anything.
No one likes paying taxes but we have to. Why? Because that funds
everything from highway maintenance, music education in our public
schools to law enforcement. How could the government pay for anything
if no one paid taxes? No taxes = No government (or at least a
government that is not indebted for life to other countries).
It's a basic principal. You live in this country, you pay taxes.
So how are artists supposed to fund a new recording project without
financial support? Consumers want new music? Then consumers need
to financially support the artists because no one else will.
I am sick and tired of illegal file sharing. I'm sick and tired
of the record industry defining the terms of success. I am sick
and tired of music bloggers who think they have the answers to
everything. Music should not be free. The public perception needs
to change. The public will not do this themselves. The record
industry has no influence over consumers anymore, so they can't
be responsible for changing public perception either. Artists,
it is simply up to us. We need to support each other in this cause.
We are the only ones who will voice our concerns.
To the record industry, stop releasing bad music. Stop the "Me
Too" nonsense. You're the only ones responsible for your
failed reputation. Invest in real musicians and songwriters. Earn
consumer's trust again. Start appealing to niche markets, not
to everyone. If a particular niche audience just so happens to
have enough crossover potential, then fine, start mass marketing.
But right now, if you want to sign my band you better have a damn
good contract to present because there's no way I'm going to be
indebted to you. You've raped artists long enough.
To consumers. I think I've made my point clear. If you don't financially
support the artists you listen to, they won't be around much longer.
There are no government subsidies for independent musicians and
songwriters. If you download music illegally, you are hurting
real people. I'm not rich. I have bills just like you. I want
to provide music for you. If you like it, do the right thing.
Stay away from P2P.
To my fellow musicians and songwriters. I encourage you to post
your thoughts. I would LOVE to hear from you. What suggestions
do you have? I want to listen to what you have to say because
right now it's your voice that I value the most. Do you agree
with me? More importantly, do you disagree with me? If so, why?
Please join The Solo Album
community at http://www.thesoloalbum.com/
and share your thoughts. I'm counting on you.
Brian Dobbs
Musician and Webmaster
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