Paying back musicians

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String bender
Member Since: Unknown

I understand that file sharing and burning CD is a hotly debated subject but I stumbled on this little website that I found interesting. Basically its people sending money directly to the artists. www.dearrockers.org/ It made for some interesting reading.

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Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006


Dec 10, 2007 05:46 pm

Some of that stuff is funny. I've actually done this with smaller bands via paypal and the like. It definitely makes sure the money ends up in the right hands (providing they wrote the songs of course).

Mans reach exceeds his grasp
Member
Since: Oct 23, 2007


Dec 10, 2007 05:47 pm

That's a really different concept; it's cool in a way, but it also allows people to justify their piracy. "If I steal it now, I'll just send them a couple bucks later." Not fair compensation if you ask me, but still a cool idea.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Dec 10, 2007 05:50 pm

Just another way to justify wrongdoing, like Keith said...

"I'll gladly pay you tuesday for a hamburger today"...eh...

Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006


Dec 10, 2007 05:57 pm

But once again you're all overlooking where the money from a CD sale goes, i.e mostly to the record company.

Mans reach exceeds his grasp
Member
Since: Oct 23, 2007


Dec 10, 2007 06:01 pm

At least the money that goes to the label pays off the artists debt with them so maybe in the future they can benefit from the record sales in the first place. It's a viscous circle of sorts.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Dec 10, 2007 06:01 pm

Yeah, the people that are contractually and legal supposed to get the money. When I by bread I don't dictate how much goes to the store, the shipper, the bread maker, etc...nor do I have any business dictating where my CD expense goes.

What people typically overlook is that music is no difference than any other business on earth, the artist is simply another piece of the product, no more, no less and by signing with that label, they got themselves in that position.

Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006


Dec 10, 2007 06:11 pm

I will now resort to my favorite analogy. There was once a country owned by the British who had laws. The laws were unfair and burdened the people of that country. They decided to break those laws and throw out the British - There won't be any change without significant rebellion.

Now if the record companies charges were fair in the first place (for example they charge for the soda's served during meetings) then I would have more sympathy for the payback.

I don't disagree that the artist is too blame but there are no other options, making it a monopoly and hence once more requiring it to be fixed.

Mans reach exceeds his grasp
Member
Since: Oct 23, 2007


Dec 10, 2007 06:13 pm

Very well stated. The analogy was colorful as well.

I know if I signed to a major label, I'd rather have the job security of selling a platinum record and extending my contract with the possibility of getting paid the second time around, rather than selling a gold record and being broke again with an extra 30$ bucks a month from unreliable, guilty consciouses. Just me though :P

EDIT: I agree with your point as well Tony, entirely.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Dec 10, 2007 06:18 pm

I appreciate the thought behind the analogy, but I disagree, the better protest would be not wanting their product...not buying, stealing or supporting it at all.

Mans reach exceeds his grasp
Member
Since: Oct 23, 2007


Dec 10, 2007 06:24 pm

Perhaps a new wave of representation is afoot. Just like BMI came in in lou of RIAA, it might just be a matter of time.

Eat Spam before it eats YOU!!!
Member
Since: May 11, 2002


Dec 10, 2007 07:54 pm

Heres a User Friendly toon I really got a kick out of...


http://www.userfriendly.org/cartoons/archives/03sep/uf005924.gif


Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006


Dec 10, 2007 09:36 pm

These new subscription models are cool and totally legal, but they don't benefit the artist at all. $20 per month I can have anything I want on my player but the artist is seeing almost none of that, even less than a CD price.

There needs to be a way to get the money into the hands of the artists and professional involved in the recordings.

Mans reach exceeds his grasp
Member
Since: Oct 23, 2007


Dec 10, 2007 09:51 pm

Sad but true zek. That's prolly an actual settlement, lol.

The only way to do that anymore is create your own label, but then your a tiny fish in a worldwide pond. Is there any way to win??

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Dec 11, 2007 01:34 am

this is EXACTLY one of the main reasons i gave up on being an "artist" and got into charging clients by the hour for cold hard (untaxed) cash.....

i've realized there's no money in being an artist (usually)....it's far more lucrative to sell a service (ie: recording engineer) than selling artwork.

it was a very conscious decision for me to 'give up' on my 'dream'....and boy am i glad i did.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Dec 11, 2007 07:19 pm

I'll make this short as you have all seen me rant on this very subject time and again.

Yes, the site is cool. Does it actually have good intention's? I hope so. Will it actually benefit the artist the money is directed at? I'm not sure. How many people do you think will honestly trust some stranger on the internet who wants to take your money?

Moving on for the short part now. I've said it long before it started happening. The internet will be the best thing that can happen to an artist, if they only embrace it and follow the lead of a few of the big guys and the indie bands. Sell their stuff themselves. Record it, produce it find a disc maker. Start out small, and work their way up.

And don't tell me it can't be done. I just added up what I spent on CD's I purchased direct from the artist this year alone. It is just shy of $3000.00. And the year isn't over yet! I am guessing probably half of that was spent on indy produced and distributed music.

Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006


Dec 11, 2007 09:38 pm

Noize's answer remind me of something else. One of the problems is that everyone wants to make "mega millions" if people would be more willing to simple "make a living" or even a "good living" things would be better.

An artist is much better of selling 10,000 cd's they made themselves and making perhaps $30k than they are selling 100,000 or more on a major label.

In my boring day job I don't think I'm gonna make millions and if I could make the same money with music I'd be more than happy.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Dec 13, 2007 08:17 pm

tony, you are so right. It is the corporate greed that takes over. And the thought that they can't do it on their own. Or I should say it is the record company pitching how rich the band will be if they sign and get promoted by them.

Granted, it is a tough road to travel if you want to be truly independent. But it can be done. I know a few good bands that are dong it that way. They are not ridiculously famous or even close. But touring and selling their CD's and merch on their own they make much more money and do it for a living. And are enjoying the fact that they are not tied to some contract and oh a record company tons of money that they will never recoup.

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