Artists accepting the Digital Age

A little less than two years ago, in a radio interview here in the country, Nine Inch Nails’ one-man band Trent Reznor made an interesting point about how it is the record labels that are most affected by the digital piracy. Contrary to popular opinion, artists are not really that much affected because the bulk of their earnings come from tours and appearances. The record labels however, are affected because it is their sales that are directly affected by the illegal digital sharing of the music albums.

Reznor is an advocate of the dispensing with the record labels and going independent. At one point during one of his concerts, appalled by the high price tag his record label put on his latest album then, he encouraged the fans to steal his music. During his interview in the country, he explained how the artists can find other avenues to earn. He suggested selling products such as shirts, posters, CDs, or even their music through the internet instead of selling their music in record bars. He further adds that it’s a way for the fans to support the artists for producing good music for “free”. I think he’s accepted the fact that “free” music is here to stay, for now, and that artists have to go with the change. He even went as far as to distribute his new “album” for free through the internet.

I think Trent Reznor makes a good point in so far as accepting that digital sharing is here to stay, for now. As an artist, he finds other creative means to support himself and so he would not need to depend on album sales. In fact, there is nothing new to this. Appearances, official merchandise, and live concerts are some of the many ways to earn from their music. Instead of looking at the internet as a tool for stealing or piracy, it can be viewed as an avenue to introduce an artist to a wider audience. The internet can also be an avenue to distribute their music through the public instead of going the usual route of album sales in the local record bars. File sharing is here to stay. Artists shouldn’t be as worried as there are other avenues for them. It is indeed the record labels who should be worried.

sources:

http://acursoryglance.net/tag/digital-distribution/

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10202752-93.html

http://www.behyped.com/205/trent-reznor-knows-what-hes-talking-about/

entry no. 6