Thoughts on why you think the Music Industry has failed

[grimms]

Just want to hear some opinions on why you think the music industry has failed in recent years. CD sales are at an all time low, Originality has been crippled, the current system for how music is being distributed and marketed is no longer effective, artists are starting to see that being signed to a Major is not that lucrative for them anymore, independent record labels are caught in between big merger buys and the fact they lack deep pockets. What do you all think?

[Gish]

I think its more than one reason, in fact its many. the music industry have spent billions last year alone against piracy something I think many agree can not be stopped. Even the the president of the RIAA said" We know we can not stop Piracy but we can make it harder for people to get the files they want"
The people who but buy music have seen how the Recording industry works against ts own costumer's. DRM for example drives people to download a torrent instead of at the store or on iTunes.
Piracy is easy! I read an article in PC Mag about Movie and music downloading services and at the end of the article they had a little blurb
"why Pirates do it best" they said its getting so easy to get free hi quality music and movies, better quality and faster than pay services.
And another reason is if their where not phyiscal CD's or movies their would not be the need for many jobs. no middle men, no Delivery services etc. and that scares them to death so they fight a losing battle.

Their are other reasons but I did put down a few:)

[psxcite]

Evolution at work. There was once a huge market for ice deilvered directly to your home. Refrigerators changed all that. The music industry will adapt.

Ice companies went into air conditioning. The music industry better get into the digital delivery market or create a new medium.

[sleepyy]

greed people are not going spend £20 on a 20 track album when they can get songs for far less even if they have to pay theres tons on internet based web pages around you can purchase original album far cheap than those in the high street hmv and virgin for example i still have 100s of purchased cds even when i first used napster and kazaa but it's my records i like the most

I also have to agree fully with psxcite everybody has a method of downloading music wheather it be gigs or just single tracks

[grimms]

Some very valid boths you guys have made so far. Definitely agree about how pirates get better high quality music and movies versused the paid vrsions which is lower quality. I hate iTunes for the simple fact that they use DRM and birrates are horrible compared to downloading a song or album in flac or 320 mp3. I agree the Music Industry needs to adapt to Digital Distribution. They missed the bus already and now their trying to figure out a way to catch up. Also the way they treated the customers is what turned us all a bit off. Especially with the Kazza fiasco. Sueing grandmothers for millions.

[Gish]

if you have not read this article wow where have you been?!
http://www.demonbaby.com/blog/2007/10/when-pigs-fly-death-of-oink-birth-of.html

[boodaddymac]

Simple. Consumers are loosing respect for music. If you really liked the artist, then you would buy the album. All there is now is the top 40 main stream crap that isn't helping people. When someone goes to a show the artist is expected to heal them in a way. Not take the place of God but you know what I mean.

People go through things, and when you can be surrounded by that energy you start to forget about what is troubling you, and the healing process can begin because now you feel more positive.

When is the last time a music artist has done this for someone. It's all crap now days. Music is more based on looks, and sex, then it is truth and hope. For that they deserve what they are getting. I am a professional musician, I have played on 100's of albums worked with the very top professionals, and I say this with sadness because only 5 or 10 of those artists I played for were truly passionate about what they were doing. Money was the first thing in there head. Not hope, not helping, not saying you can make it.

You can't ecpect passion from musicians if the artist don't got it...

When the passion comes back I think people would be more convicted about stealing from someone that helps them. You wouldn't steal from your parents would you? If you would then you need some morals. Just like people need truth and passion in music now more then ever. Ultil that day comes the stealing will continue.

It's not about the cost for CD's. Would you spend 20 bucks if it could help your relationship?, get you to move on and be happy? Let you know that it's your choice to be down, or happy? Get you through one of the most hardest times in your life?. I will, so will others.

[killuminati96]

i think it's cuz pop/mainstream has totally taken over and real music is now ignored totally...back in the 90's there was pop sure but also a lot of real music still...when the #1 song in the freaking world is by Soulja Boy then you know it's all over...the general IQ of humanity seems to be slipping little by little each year..good thing i have a huge CD collection so i don't care

[angryghost]

CD's are not selling because consumers are starting to realize cheaper alternatives. Yet the large labels insist on making CD's, also because of the low margin of profit that can be gained from this, the money made is very minimal. Like you pointed out earlier grimms, most 'pay to download' places give you a wide selection, however lack the quality of music to attract a larger consumer base. The industry is stuck between both methods of selling and has to compromise one if it wants to succeed. There are less and less people buying CD's due to the cost, and the lack of quality in the online downloads hinders users to pay, this leaves a large gap in the market where people opt to "illegally" download because it gives them higher quality sound and reasonable content.

There is also been a dip in the quality of artists out there, many are based on their physical attributes (which is important), instead of the talent that is available. Lots of re-makes are being made, and the "comeback" tours are just another sign of market failure.

The demand is out there, the labels are just not giving enough supply.

[grimms]

if you have not read this article wow where have you been?!
http://www.demonbaby.com/blog/2007/10/when-pigs-fly-death-of-oink-birth-of.html

Highly recommended article. Thanks for posting the link.


i think it's cuz pop/mainstream has totally taken over and real music is now ignored totally...back in the 90's there was pop sure but also a lot of real music still...when the #1 song in the freaking world is by Soulja Boy then you know it's all over...the general IQ of humanity seems to be slipping little by little each year..good thing i have a huge CD collection so i don't care

Watch Zeitgeist (disagree with the first act cause i'm a chrisitian but society is failing, dumbing down due to the media, shows like American Idol and the whole reality show craze, etc) Our IQ's are decreasing in a big way. Thats why i try to watch the idiot box as least as possible and read books. Yes real music seems to be frowned upon now. It when went from salt to sugar. Also the corporations have bought out all the blocks for time at radio stations and the radio stations them self (think Don Law's Clear Channel). They own about 80% of all venues and radio stations in the united states.


CD's are not selling because consumers are starting to realize cheaper alternatives. Yet the large labels insist on making CD's, also because of the low margin of profit that can be gained from this, the money made is very minimal. Like you pointed out earlier grimms, most 'pay to download' places give you a wide selection, however lack the quality of music to attract a larger consumer base. The industry is stuck between both methods of selling and has to compromise one if it wants to succeed. There are less and less people buying CD's due to the cost, and the lack of quality in the online downloads hinders users to pay, this leaves a large gap in the market where people opt to "illegally" download because it gives them higher quality sound and reasonable content.

There is also been a dip in the quality of artists out there, many are based on their physical attributes (which is important), instead of the talent that is available. Lots of re-makes are being made, and the "comeback" tours are just another sign of market failure.

The demand is out there, the labels are just not giving enough supply.

Love your argument. We share the same views on this. I hate the whole sex and sexy image sells everything. (Even though it does) How shameful.:01:

[Gish]

killuminati96 has a really good point but lets not forget its the recoding industry that sign's groups that produce one hit boppers. the recording industry is beginning to think they know what we want. it seems they are taking less of a chance on a group that might be huge but with no way to be known or to be noticed. the Recording studios rather sign the next Hannah Montana.

[grimms]

killuminati96 has a really good point but lets not forget its the recoding industry that sign's groups that produce one hit boppers. the recording industry is beginning to think they know what we want. it seems they are taking less of a chance on a group that might be huge but with no way to be known or to be noticed. the Recording studios rather sign the next Hannah Montana.

It's cause they want to replicate the formula that worked with the last start they proudced with a big hit. Take Soulja boy or Hannah Montana for an example they both did really well last year and Souljah Boy had the largest ringtone sales in ringtone sale history. This year the industry will invent 3 more soulja boys and hannah montana from the disney network.

They repeat their same tired old formulas to try to reap more sales in benefits out of consumers who liked the intial act. It's too bad that record labels have put a price on music. It was different back in the day. they actually respected the artform and the artist's.

Today it's all about making the executives rich who know nothing about music, it's culture, only business. Lets not even talk about Radio and the top 20 playlist they use all year to promote the same 3 acts all year round. Deep pockets anybody?:whistling

[angryghost]

Today it's all about making the executives rich who know nothing about music, it's culture, only business. Lets not even talk about Radio and the top 20 playlist they use all year to promote the same 3 acts all year round. Deep pockets anybody?:whistling

You hit the mark, its all about the money now. There is no more real respect from the labels for the quality of music, they churn out business formulas design to maximize profits instead of quality artists:frusty:

[grimms]

Angryghost did you read the article that Broken posted yesterday morning? About how the RIAA is now trying to lobby politicians into passing a law where anybody who downloads a album or song could get fined up to 1.5 million dollars for each? If they pass that law say good-bye to me ever supporting a major record label again. I will never buy a cd again unless directly from the artist's hand.

[angryghost]

They're really just digging their own grave. With all the money you'd think they would come up with a better way method to resolve this issue.

[grimms]

But they won't. They have to win. Their ego won't have it any other way. Also with the help of deep pockets they may become possible. But if it does, I won't ever buy a cd in my life again. I barely do now but i really won't if they win.

[angryghost]

I'm with you on this one. If the law does pass, don't expect to ever see me buying a CD again, I think this would be the same as well for the majority of "illegal downloaders". This way the labels will really see the impact online downloads have on the artists.

Guess the only real way to support them is to go to concerts.:pinch:

[grimms]

True. It's getting harder for independent labels and bans to fund that. Tours and concerts. But tours and concerts at the same time is what is keeping the music industry alive and the indie artist's as well. So i support that. For the artist's sake. Shit i'm an independent artist as well.

[Bucktoof]

Charge way too much for albums with one good song