It focused on the positives and negatives of internet for the music business. Nick explained about how Duran embraced the internet by having one of the first websites (back in 1997) and that they are able to connect with their audience. No arguments there. Then, he went on to talk about how online piracy was an “enormous problem” for the music industry, especially young artists who need the “investment” to be able to continue to make music. This caught my attention. Now, I openly admit that I know nothing about how much artists get for selling copies of albums or songs. I don’t. Yet, I wonder how much this pattern of make an album, release an album, tour to get people to buy the album in order to make another album still applies. It feels to me that this isn’t the pattern anymore. Even Simon said recently in an interview that things have shifted for Duran. They now make an album to tour as oppose to touring to make an album. My point here is that I suspect that touring is where the money really comes from these days. I know that John has said on more than one occasion that nothing can replace the live show and I completely agree with that. Thus, it isn’t as important to sell copies of songs and/or albums.
Of course, I’m not saying that people shouldn’t buy official material. Yet, I understand the urge, especially when young to get a song or album that you can’t get out of your head. I recorded many songs on those good old cassette tapes back in my childhood because I just HAD to have it. I will also admit that I borrowed records from places like the library and recorded those onto those trusty cassette tapes. I also recorded music from and for my friends. Everyone did. I’m sure Nick would point out to me that the quality was lacking with copies off the radio or on cassette tapes. That’s true, but many people would argue the same is true with downloads and mp3s. It just seems to me that in this day and age, everything, including music, is immediate. Kids don’t have to wait until the song comes on the radio or MTV to hear it again. They can go on youtube and hear it instantly. Patience for music is one thing they lack because they have never needed it. I might think something has been lost because of it, but we aren’t going to change this. We aren’t. Thus, instead of fighting it, why not focus on things that can’t be instantly possessed and cheaply gotten? Why not encourage those young artists to perfect their live performance? Why not offer products that are not available to download? I think it is time to be more creative rather than just complain about it. There are so many products Duran could do that people would love to buy. They could be leaders showing the young bands how to make enough money to keep going and isn’t that what being a rock star is all about?
-A
I love the band and I love Nick -but I feel as though this is one area where many (if not all) artists completely miss the boat. I'm not sure this is really something I can point my finger and say “It's your own fault” though, because while I think all of us can see the problem – illegal downloading and the global obsession with “instant gratification” – I think it's far more difficult to move past that issue and create something else that people WANT to buy. It's difficult for me to explain this in words here, but I think the unfortunate knee-jerk reaction is to continue to beat ones head against a wall by blaming the downfall of the industry on downloading rather than working to find a unique, creative and brand new way of marketing and selling bands as a solution.
So much time is spent on discussing and debating whether or not illegal downloading is in fact a problem that very, very little is actually being done to redesign the marketing and sales of the industry as a whole. THIS is the real reason why labels continue to flail about. It's obvious that the music industry as a whole needs a complete redesign and overhaul, but I think the real problem is that no one, including myself (if I knew I'd be a wealthy woman), know how to move forward from here. As John himself said, nothing can replicate the live performance; if that is so, are bands simply going to have to base their entire career on performing live??
It's a question that I don't see being answered in the short term, that is for certain. -R