What is Digg?106 Comments
- supermanred, on 10/11/2007, -1/+66The record companies are about to find out the hard way that choosing DRM and suing customers was a FATAL ERROR.
We, the customers and the artist themselves now bid you goodbye and flip you a huge middle finger bird as we chuckle. I personally will be more than glad to give ANY ARTIST that does this 20 bucks or more per album rather than give YOU ***** 19 dollars, and 1 buck goes to the artist.
***** you, music industry.
Always remember, you initiated aggressive actions against us, your customers. Don't be surprised when you can't make payments on your gold plated jaguars any more.
Did I say ***** you already, oh yeah I did.
Suck yourself, music companies. Shove your DRM up your ass.
(I think that was a nice mix of expletives and intelligent thought) :) - airwalkery2k, on 10/10/2007, -2/+38Bring on the direct-from-artists music sales.
- austin63, on 10/11/2007, -3/+36You have to wonder if it is already too late for the record labels.
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -2/+34The major record labels are far too corrupt to deserve any sympathy.
They'll take money over art any day. - gorgalor, on 10/10/2007, -1/+20It's been too late for a long time. Now, it's called catch-up time. Kudos to Radiohead and NIN for doing away with all the bull. Poster-children for the RIAA's cause are few and far between. Where's Metallica again in 2007???
- supermanred, on 10/10/2007, -1/+16It was too late for them the minute they started suing kids for downloading music instead of offering a decent download service like iTunes without DRM. Apple has fought tooth and nail to remove DRM with these ***** to little success. If stores like iTunes had been allowed to sell drm free music for decent prices, downloading would not have been an issue.
- Herolint, on 10/11/2007, -0/+13I don't particularly like either Radiohead or NiN, but I'm planning to buy their music just to support their decision to break free.
- zengonzo, on 10/10/2007, -2/+14Well, it is a business, to be fair.
I think the honest criticism is that they just don't seem to know their business anymore, and are readily running it into the ground in an effort to maintain control. - Ocelot13, on 10/10/2007, -0/+12i do believe they were bad about guitar hero and rockband if i remember correctly.....and if not im sure there is something else theyre complaining about
- supermanred, on 10/10/2007, -0/+10What's a Metallica?
I just checked iTunes. No such thing.
Hell, I dont even see them on bittorrent.
???? - kurtwinter, on 10/10/2007, -1/+11Radiohead, NIN, Prince - these are bands that have stood the test of time and are part of a small cadre of artists that pay most of the labels bills. Don't forget Garth Brooks, who also launched his own distribution system. Times are a changing, and if you need to wait to see it gain momentum, you've missed the point of this article.
- Absinthminded64, on 10/10/2007, -0/+10Mecrapila started sueing first. I won't even listen to them on the radio anymore.
- wingo123, on 10/10/2007, -0/+9That Ian Rogers guy summed it up more eloquently and sensibly than anyone to date. Freaking awesome. I just hope Yahoo! doesn't fire him.
The revolution has begun. - Absinthminded64, on 10/10/2007, -8/+16go fkr yourself
- consonance, on 10/10/2007, -3/+11I'm glad that the record labels are finally tasting defiance, I really am - but I have one big concern. What does the little musician do if the big record labels go under?
I'm talking about the indie band that has great ideas but is just getting started, or the guys who have regular day jobs and play nights. Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails have money from being big acts, but what is everyone else to do? As the price of music approaches $0 (but that won't ever become the market price), how does the little guy compete with free?
The small musician will have to put everything into just the possibility of getting heard, because good equipment, studio time, and audio services cost a lot. Then they make their music available for download for a price, but no one is buying, because all the good, established music is free. They can go on tour, but with no support how does the band fund the tour, especially if they have day jobs? They could pay for promotion, but chances are that at this point they don't have any money left.
It seems to me that record labels won't disappear. Instead of there being the Big Four, there will be dozens, if not hundreds of small indie record labels taking their place. They'll each support a few artists apiece, because the current model of funding a bunch and seeing what sticks does not work very well. The artists will not have to tour for most of the year, but doing so will bring in more revenue.
But all those artists and record labels will have to compete with free. Of course, artists are today competing with free: but what if free becomes mainstream, legitimate, and good? At this point in time, you can only have two out of the three in terms of free music. What happens when all three qualities are achieved? - McSwankypants, on 10/10/2007, -0/+8Don't forget Harvey Danger (harveydanger.com). They WERE popular at one point. They released their last album for free -- with the option to donate -- quite some time ago. It's actually a decent album too.
- silent, on 10/10/2007, -0/+8I dugg you up, because you make good points. However, good music will be found eventually and a new business model will come into play at some point.
The artists that are taking a stand right now are in a good place to create that business model. They can also help foster and promote upcoming artists. - inactive, on 10/10/2007, -1/+8Every time you buy a cd, you are making a donation to the RIAA. It is not a sale because the cd costs almost nothing to produce. It is in effect a donation and that donation will be used to sue innocent people and lobby for more ***** laws in this country.
- ferrell, on 10/10/2007, -5/+12There's unlimited supply
and there is no reason why
I tell you it was all a frame
they only did it 'cos of fame -
Who? EMI
Too many people had the suss
Too many people support us
An unlimited amount
too many outlets in and out -
Who? EMI
And sir and friends are crucified
a day they wished that we had died
We are an addition
we are ruled by-none
Never ever never
And you thought that we were faking
that we were all just money making
you do not believe we're for real
or you would lose your cheap appeal?
Don't judge a book just by the cover
Unless you cover just another
And blind acceptance is a sign
of stupid fools who stand in line like EMI
Unlimited edition
with an unlimited supply
That was fhe only reason
we alt had to say goodbye
Unlimited supply
EMI there is no reason why
EMI I tell you if was all a frame
EMI they only did it 'cos of fame
EMI I do not need the pressure
EMI I can't stand the useless fools
EMI unlimited supply
EMI Hallo EMl goodbye A & M - Eeqmcsq, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7What part of that don't you understand?
- bdbr, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6"Every time you buy a cd, you are making a donation to the RIAA."
Not necessarily. Not every label is a member of the RIAA. There is a handy website that helps tell the difference: http://riaaradar.com - nbrntrt, on 10/10/2007, -3/+9To borrow Ron Pauls slogan -- its a Revolution. I hope it continues.
- McSwankypants, on 10/10/2007, -2/+8Son of a... Sorry Absinthminded64, I dugg you down THEN noticed you were making a reference to fkr3's username.
- spacecoyote1966, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6"They don't have time to sift through MySpace looking for something nice to listen to."
So we should just let the record labels tell us what songs are good? The record labels typically don't pick bands that are good. They pick the ones they think will sell. And lets face it those bands usually just churn out a bunch of generic crap. Probably have a better chance of finding good music on the internet. - BlueFalcon7, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6Finally, music has been going the way it should be since the dawn of the internet!
- Beylan, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6Are we playing "Spot the RIAA shill!" again?
- bdbr, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5Independent labels have been experiencing sales GROWTH during this entire period that the RIAA labels have been suffering. Why? Well, probably because they establish a relationship with their customers, rather than making their customers bitter. People will buy a Barsuk t-shirt...would anyone in their right mind spend $15 on a Sony Music t-shirt?
These labels survive to some extent from downloads. Its not like their music is on the radio. Hell, most of them give away MP3s. People buy music from them not because we have to, but because they're not *****, they're not rich, they're producing music we love, and we want them to keep doing it. I spend several hundred dollars a year on indie music, and downloading is the only real way I can hear their music to know if I'll like it.
I think that's the REAL trend these days. Four artists don't make a trend. - Jowsley, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5The RIAA is dying. I think they know this. However, there are still billions to be made by dragging out their death as long as they can, so they will do just that and hang on until the bitter end. To me, they seem like an elephant thrashing around in it's death throws with no regard who they hurt as they approach their end.
- robfis, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5well musicians can start working day jobs...and their music will be more real. time to realize that musicians are artists and not charity cases. they are just people and the celebrity worship is ridiculous. I hope celebs are the next to go.
- pagit, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4the record companies had a run for over 50 years ripping off the performers It's hard to feel sympathy for them
- fkr3, on 10/10/2007, -4/+8lol.
- MavRevMatt, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5***** the RIAA.
- VinceNoir, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5Um... you haven't been listening. We DO complain about Walmart and Amazon and just about anyone who tries to make us think that we need something. Not only that, but we also "vote with our dollars" for what that's worth (very little in my opinion). I don't shop at Walmart. I actively avoid it. I try to buy everything possible second hand and through local stores. I buy my food at the local farmer's markets. I do everything I possibly can to screw big business. I run Linux. I use alternative energy where possible. Sure there are some things I can't avoid (like the hardware that I have to buy from big business) but even there I make the effort when possible. There's no reason to rely on someone else's recommendation of what's good. You just go out and find what works for you and ***** everyone else's opinions.
- Depthfunction, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4For years now, we've all been saying that "the big record labels just don't get it". But maybe--maybe--they do "get it" and they have "gotten it" all along.
What Radiohead has done is prove that bands both big and small don't need record labels in the new world of the internet. Promotion and distribution, which used to be two of the biggest reasons why a band needed to sign with a label, can now be handled, by the band, online. Perhaps it isn't that the labels don't understand the internet--perhaps they do understand it and they realize that they aren't necessary anymore. The last eight years of the recording industry vs. the people hasn't been an attempt to squeeze more money out of fans, perhaps it's simply been an attempt by the industry to SURVIVE.
If more big-name acts follow Radiohead's lead, then I think we will very quickly observe what we've all been waiting for: the collapse of the music industry as we know it, and the birth of a paradigm that will be of greater benefit to both artists and their fans. - 68024, on 10/11/2007, -1/+5Not to forget Oasis and Jamiroquai - both of whom are also taking note ( See http://tinyurl.com/26yx9f )
- asdfrewq, on 10/11/2007, -0/+3@VinceNoir: There's also no reason to avoid what's good because it's at the recommendation of big business. Because you, sir, are a lost cause to them. You'll slip through the cracks and "big business" won't even notice because the vast majority don't share your attitude and will continue shopping with them. On the other hand, if you supported simply what's good regardless of it's origin, there will be incentive for the large corporations to cater for you and people who think alike.
Of course, "what's good" isn't just represented by the end product and it's associated price tag. Things like ethical business practices, environmentally friendly production, and responsible use of resources are all factors we should consider, I think you'll agree :) - GawtMilk, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3"Apple has fought tooth and nail"
Apple : "Here's an open letter".
RIAA : "No". - 68024, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Finally... it is happening!! Copyright law has had its chance to adapt to digital times... now performers are starting to take matters in their own hands because it's just not happening. Good!
- LOUiSSCHiSM, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3I think things started rolling when Prince GAVE away his new record this June.
http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,2114557,00 ...
DIE music "industry"!
DIE. - mkriss5681, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4These are very exciting times we live in.
As the government and corporations want to take more away from us the great hope of the 21st century is the internet. The Internet is the last bastion of free speech and exchange of ideas. I am very pleased the first victim of this new information revolution is the corrupt record industry. They are in denial of the harsh truth... media is now free and in our life times no one will pay for music. The genie is out of the bottle and all the lawsuits the RIAA files will never put it back in. - Absinthminded64, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4@McSwankypants : )
- lazyfisherman, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3She didn't need to. She's made more money and has enjoyed far more creative freedom than she would have ever had with a label. Righteous Babe records is an amazing 90's music business success story.
Going platinum matters when you've got layers of music industry parasites taking your money. Going platinum means you might be popular enough to negotiate a deal with the label that will eventually make you money. If you don't have parasites, you don't need platinum sales numbers to make money. - xXdredgXx, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4I wont lie I steal music I hate the record companies and if i like the music and the band is coming to my city I'll go see them. I say no to CD and yes to downloading
- thebuggman, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2The record labels are compounding the growing issues.
First, there hasn't been ANY good music put out for so long that I honestly can't remember the last CD I bought.
Second, when consumers found a way (napster, the original one, not this new crap) to SHARE the music they had legally purchased... all hell broke loose.
Third, to combat #2, the record industry decided to create new laws & legislature (mostly by buying off people in high places) that made consumers not want to purchase their products at all... for fear of legal action.
Fourth, #3 led to artists losing what little income they made from record sales. Some artists have finally realized what I have said for YEARS! Artists should take control of their art, whether it be music, graphics, poetry, etc. With a little business sense, artists can market their product directly to their consumers. Why pay record labels 90% of their income just so they don't have to deal with manufacturing & distributing? With the 'net, it's so easy to distribute their product (music) that it's insane not to.
Many artists have their own recording studios, so there's no need to pay $5000 a day for a "record label's" studio to create their music.
I feel no sympathy for the music industry. I feel a sympathy for artists, though... especially the up & coming artists.
Their (music industry) actions led to artists producing crappy music that nobody wants to buy. Some of those artists have realized they can sell directly to consumers and make a little money, probably a lot more than they'd get from their record label contracts.
I'd much rather pay an artist directly to download a song or an entire album if they don't mind if I let somebody else listen to it.
Pretty soon, the music industry big wigs will make it illegal to listen to music in car stereos that can be heard by 2 or more people. - scottykempf, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Ani Difranco was self publishing in the 90's.
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2"Jamiroquai and Oasis don't have contracts at the moment" ... wonder why that is, couldn't be because nobody gives a piss .... nah
- ninja28, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2This is just a preliminary release for Radiohead. They are reportedly in the works with EMI to perform a "real" release.
- flangepiece, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2guessing it's a verb/noun thing with the word "act" that's causing the trouble :)
- bdbr, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2"What Radiohead has done is prove that bands both big and small don't need record labels in the new world of the internet."
All they've proven is that a well-known band with an existing fan base (established through an RIAA label) doesn't need record labels in the new world of the internet. Thing is, they did need the big label to get established in the first place. Don't believe me? Start a band of your own with your own internet-only distribution, and see if you make the Digg front page. -
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