And while we're on the topic of illegal downloading....
We're all guilty of doing it sometimes...here and there....all the time? I claim no innocence here. It's just so easy. And why not? Well, I've got something to say about it, and I'm going to yell it from the rooftops. Ok, I'm not actually going to yell, but I'll blog about it and hope that someone's bored enough at their desk to listen up.
While Radiohead has a huge fan base, and honestly doesn't need a major label backing them for publicity or sales or notice, there are still plenty of small, more obscure, struggling musicians trying desperately to get notice. And as the infrastructure now stands, these musicians need the labels (more importantly, label's money) to do this for them.
Musicians are artists. And if people are enjoying their work and are touched by their work, the artist shouldn't go without compensation. I've heard a lot of anti-corporate talk thrown around from people who download music illegally without reservation. And yes...evil corporations do of course stand in the way (in most cases) between the artist and the consumer. However, those 'evil' corporations are the very same gatekeepers who give musicians a fighting chance to make it. The less support consumers give to the music industry, the less likely labels will be to take risks on new artists, or keep signed artists that haven't generated massive moolah, leaving them to fend in the world alone, without representation, leaving their creative vision unrequited in a world of only Top 40 hits.
Music can be such a personal experience. If an artist makes something that touches you, give back just a little, and support them, even if you don't necessarily support the system. It's the only system we have right now...And I say give artists a chance to live off of their craft, especially if you have the means to do so. Just cause you can get it for free doesn't mean it comes without consequence. I want to make sure that my favorite musicians continue bringing me new music. Now, I like my Top 40, but if we're not careful in this state of flux, the top 40 pop charts could be the only determining factor of what gets made.
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Now, some personal exceptions:
-Spreading the word: Hey, if I'm trying to convince a friend to get into a new artist or album, sometimes I'll buy it for them...Sometimes I'll copy it for them. I can justify it if I know i'm expanding an artist's fanbase. I'm like free PR. There's something that has to do with karma in there somewhere.
-Just checking it out: If there's something new out there, and I'm intrigued but not too sure, maybe I'll download it, give it a listen. After I check it out, if I'm moved, maybe I'll buy the album. Or alternatively, maybe I'll spread the word by buying the album for someone else.
-Mixing: Now this one I'm not too sure about, but I tend to go down the dark path of downloading top hits that I'm going to put into a mix...something I know I'm not going to listen to obsessively, or for a long time to come, but maybe there's something catchy in-the-now that I'm vibing with. I just need to hear that gosh darn catchy, "umbrella, ella, ella, ella" a few more times at the gym and then i'm through with it, over-saturated. The level of experience I'm going to have with the track isn't worth my 99 cents in the long run. Don't judge, I never said I wasn't guilty of downloading illegally... Ok, maybe i did buy Rhianna's 'Umbrella'. It's a hot track!
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Basic jist: Sticking it to the 'Man' is also sticking it to the artists....And as an music buff and artist surrounded by artists, that's just not cool.
End rant here.
-jmd
