Comments on: EARACHE RECORDS TAKES ONE GIANT STEP INTO THE FUTURE http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/ IS FOR LOVERS Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:01:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Josh http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-339784 Josh Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:36:13 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-339784 This is one of the 'real' killers of the music industry; the average person just doesn't have the time to sit and listen to music like they used to. There are too many other forms of entertainment, and so many of them are all connected online, and constantly updating. Other than old-school metal/music fans, does anyone actuall get together with otehr people and listen to a new album? More often than not, it's just ripped to an iPod and becomes background noise. This is one of the ‘real’ killers of the music industry; the average person just doesn’t have the time to sit and listen to music like they used to. There are too many other forms of entertainment, and so many of them are all connected online, and constantly updating. Other than old-school metal/music fans, does anyone actuall get together with otehr people and listen to a new album? More often than not, it’s just ripped to an iPod and becomes background noise.

]]> By: Josh http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-339783 Josh Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:27:17 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-339783 Venues taking a cut of merch is a serious ripoff. I'm in a little local band and we got to play a larger venue a few years ago. We were just the little local opening band, with only a handful of shirts and a cd, and the venue wanted us to pay them more than we would've even made selling a little merch. We just sold stuff out back during the show. It sucked, but it was better than handing over everything we would've made. Venues taking a cut of merch is a serious ripoff. I’m in a little local band and we got to play a larger venue a few years ago. We were just the little local opening band, with only a handful of shirts and a cd, and the venue wanted us to pay them more than we would’ve even made selling a little merch. We just sold stuff out back during the show. It sucked, but it was better than handing over everything we would’ve made.

]]> By: Josh http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-339779 Josh Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:23:03 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-339779 That's awesome! I've had a hard time finding the discs and didn't want to just DL them. I've seen them live and they're definitely worth supporting. That’s awesome! I’ve had a hard time finding the discs and didn’t want to just DL them. I’ve seen them live and they’re definitely worth supporting.

]]> By: Josh http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-339773 Josh Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:18:43 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-339773 I'm in an independent, unsigned band and we're releasing our new album ourselves. We realize we won't see jack shit in CD sales, so we had enough made up "just in case" someone actually orders one, but took the extra step to have our music available on iTunes, Amazon, Snocap, and every other online music distribution service. Still probably won't see barely any sales, but at least the music there if anyone happens to be c curious. The music industry is quickly turning into a garage sale/flea market. I’m in an independent, unsigned band and we’re releasing our new album ourselves. We realize we won’t see jack shit in CD sales, so we had enough made up “just in case” someone actually orders one, but took the extra step to have our music available on iTunes, Amazon, Snocap, and every other online music distribution service. Still probably won’t see barely any sales, but at least the music there if anyone happens to be c curious. The music industry is quickly turning into a garage sale/flea market.

]]> By: Josh http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-339769 Josh Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:08:17 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-339769 Trent's "Stealth Screen" isn't going to pay for itself. NIN put on the most amazing visual show I have ever seen in my life. And, Trent pays for that stuff out of his own pocket. If he were just playing against a black backdrop and house-lights the tickets would be much cheaper, but so would the live experience. Sure, thousands of bands do it, but thousands of bands aren't NIN. I'll remember that show for the rest of my life. The hundreds of other shows I've seen in bars? Not so much. Trent’s “Stealth Screen” isn’t going to pay for itself. NIN put on the most amazing visual show I have ever seen in my life. And, Trent pays for that stuff out of his own pocket. If he were just playing against a black backdrop and house-lights the tickets would be much cheaper, but so would the live experience. Sure, thousands of bands do it, but thousands of bands aren’t NIN. I’ll remember that show for the rest of my life. The hundreds of other shows I’ve seen in bars? Not so much.

]]> By: Sara Petrocelli http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-339605 Sara Petrocelli Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:45:02 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-339605 The free download thing is kind of bitchin' because I'll get a chance to listen to it (legally!) without having to put out money right away for a CD given the economic state. Right on. I will buy the album though...always do. (P.S. Gama Bomb is awesome!) The free download thing is kind of bitchin’ because I’ll get a chance to listen to it (legally!) without having to put out money right away for a CD given the economic state. Right on. I will buy the album though…always do. (P.S. Gama Bomb is awesome!)

]]> By: Donno http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-339454 Donno Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:56:22 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-339454 360 deals would be a nice save if concert attendance wasn't also plummeting along with sales. It's all a dyin' art - welcome to the terminal ward. What's in it for me? 360 deals would be a nice save if concert attendance wasn’t also plummeting along with sales. It’s all a dyin’ art – welcome to the terminal ward. What’s in it for me?

]]> By: Justin Ashley http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-339244 Justin Ashley Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:52:29 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-339244 Digital Album Art is still sort of a big thing. As one of those who doesn't really value a physical CD, I can say that going to a bands website/Myspace and seeing a metal album cover is pretty pleasing. Digital Album Art is still sort of a big thing. As one of those who doesn’t really value a physical CD, I can say that going to a bands website/Myspace and seeing a metal album cover is pretty pleasing.

]]> By: Mike Riddick http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-338498 Mike Riddick Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:29:05 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-338498 Excellent article! Very insightful as well. As a digital distributor for more than 75 underground metal labels, I believe digital sales are still moving along quite well in the marketplace while CDs are dying a slow death. Perhaps your vision may come true, with the advent of the demise of digital sales. However, in spite of the mass availability of free digital music, there are still people buying it because they enjoy the platforms they use to obtain music. Some people don't like dealing with torrent systems and prefer paid platforms like what iTunes, Amazon or eMusic offer. Other sites like Amie St., offer a system in which the cost of songs and albums increase depending on their popularity, which is an assumed measure of their value. More so, sites like Magnatune allow buyers to determine the value altogether. Magnatune provides an excellent insight into the consumer's mind and how various people judge the worth of music in a variety of ways. Excellent article! Very insightful as well. As a digital distributor for more than 75 underground metal labels, I believe digital sales are still moving along quite well in the marketplace while CDs are dying a slow death. Perhaps your vision may come true, with the advent of the demise of digital sales. However, in spite of the mass availability of free digital music, there are still people buying it because they enjoy the platforms they use to obtain music. Some people don’t like dealing with torrent systems and prefer paid platforms like what iTunes, Amazon or eMusic offer. Other sites like Amie St., offer a system in which the cost of songs and albums increase depending on their popularity, which is an assumed measure of their value. More so, sites like Magnatune allow buyers to determine the value altogether. Magnatune provides an excellent insight into the consumer’s mind and how various people judge the worth of music in a variety of ways.

]]> By: Andrew http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-337724 Andrew Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:31:56 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-337724 CDs are just not worth it to me because the art is so negligible. I love art. If you can give me a cool book with art and lyrics with a record, I will gladly shell out $5-10 out for it depending on how awesome it is. I realize even that is a difference between me and most of my generation for music, but I also go to shows and buy t-shirts. The sad reality is that most people don't do this. These are the people who buy CDs and don't really care about music despite their Facebook status that says music is their life. So to all labels: Give me some art and lyrics with a digital download card, but in a format more meaningful than some 120mm x 120mm booklet and I will give you $10 and will go see your band on tour and buy a t-shirt. I'm willing to spend the money I work for on things that actually contain some value to me. CDs are just not worth it to me because the art is so negligible. I love art. If you can give me a cool book with art and lyrics with a record, I will gladly shell out $5-10 out for it depending on how awesome it is. I realize even that is a difference between me and most of my generation for music, but I also go to shows and buy t-shirts. The sad reality is that most people don’t do this. These are the people who buy CDs and don’t really care about music despite their Facebook status that says music is their life. So to all labels: Give me some art and lyrics with a digital download card, but in a format more meaningful than some 120mm x 120mm booklet and I will give you $10 and will go see your band on tour and buy a t-shirt. I’m willing to spend the money I work for on things that actually contain some value to me.

]]> By: jxk http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-337455 jxk Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:47:52 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-337455 There's always going to be SOME people who prefer the physical media to digital. The issue is that they aren't as profitable. Since we no longer require a physical format to listen to music, there's no reason to believe it'll survive. It's all about convenience. Most analysts have already predicted we're in the last generation of physical media, particularly in regards to music, movies, and video games. You can download games to your XBOX, stream movies from Netflix, and jump on Amazon or iTunes to download music. There's really no reason to risk filling landfills with unsold CDs for newer bands, especially factoring in manufacturing and distribution costs. I'm a huge fan of the complete package and love the experience of opening a CD for the first time, but it's ridiculous to think that this form of media will ever dominate again. It's left for fans like us that grew up with albums, but it's a dying breed. There’s always going to be SOME people who prefer the physical media to digital. The issue is that they aren’t as profitable. Since we no longer require a physical format to listen to music, there’s no reason to believe it’ll survive. It’s all about convenience.

Most analysts have already predicted we’re in the last generation of physical media, particularly in regards to music, movies, and video games. You can download games to your XBOX, stream movies from Netflix, and jump on Amazon or iTunes to download music. There’s really no reason to risk filling landfills with unsold CDs for newer bands, especially factoring in manufacturing and distribution costs.

I’m a huge fan of the complete package and love the experience of opening a CD for the first time, but it’s ridiculous to think that this form of media will ever dominate again. It’s left for fans like us that grew up with albums, but it’s a dying breed.

]]> By: Sergeant D http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-337142 Sergeant D Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:59:09 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-337142 Excellent post. A tiny nitpick, but: "“Value” means nothing more than the amount of money someone is willing to pay for something… what it’s “worth” to them." That is only one theory of value (one which I happen to agree with), there are others- but that's dorky econ talk not fit for a metal blog. Excellent post. A tiny nitpick, but:
““Value” means nothing more than the amount of money someone is willing to pay for something… what it’s “worth” to them.”
That is only one theory of value (one which I happen to agree with), there are others- but that’s dorky econ talk not fit for a metal blog.

]]> By: loganarchy http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-337072 loganarchy Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:41:23 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-337072 hahaha nice hahaha nice

]]> By: John http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-336756 John Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:48:47 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-336756 yep...you are. yep…you are.

]]> By: David http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-336733 David Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:18:32 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-336733 when I was kid in a hicktown in the middle of bumfuk egypt, no bands ever came to town. So we started our own bands and threw parties and local gigs. It's called a 'scene', you mighta heard of one. Takes a little bit of effort too. But if you like girls and free beer, there's one hellluva payoff. when I was kid in a hicktown in the middle of bumfuk egypt, no bands ever came to town. So we started our own bands and threw parties and local gigs. It’s called a ‘scene’, you mighta heard of one. Takes a little bit of effort too. But if you like girls and free beer, there’s one hellluva payoff.

]]> By: David http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-336725 David Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:10:31 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-336725 I moonlighted in a local blues band, and we were getting between $300-600 a gig, so making money performing is pretty much about popular taste (and how good you are). I had to give it up because 3-4 sets of blues shuffles a night were sucking my soul dry. People forget that only about 100 years ago, everyone was hanging on their porch diddlin' banjos with their friends and nobody gave a crap about making bucks. Only professional performers and people who wrote and published songs got paid. Shit, even Mozart was buried in a pauper's grave. Blame the industrial revolution (and the finance wonks) for giving people the false belief that everything you touch and do has a dollar sign attached to it. Then, take a long hard look in the mirror and think about what truly makes you happy... I moonlighted in a local blues band, and we were getting between $300-600 a gig, so making money performing is pretty much about popular taste (and how good you are). I had to give it up because 3-4 sets of blues shuffles a night were sucking my soul dry.

People forget that only about 100 years ago, everyone was hanging on their porch diddlin’ banjos with their friends and nobody gave a crap about making bucks. Only professional performers and people who wrote and published songs got paid. Shit, even Mozart was buried in a pauper’s grave.

Blame the industrial revolution (and the finance wonks) for giving people the false belief that everything you touch and do has a dollar sign attached to it. Then, take a long hard look in the mirror and think about what truly makes you happy…

]]> By: Insomnivore http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-336542 Insomnivore Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:17:11 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-336542 Good luck selling fresh air, we're not buying. Good luck selling fresh air, we’re not buying.

]]> By: Rock Johnson http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-336455 Rock Johnson Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:12:42 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-336455 I bet if you couldnt steal music then music sales would be bigger than ever. But I guess its alright to steal things from people as long as its only music. Stealing every thing else is a crime. Who cares. Stealing from musicians is A OK in my book. Most of them are dumb anyway. I think people should be able to work into anyones house and take what they want. Fuck it. I bet if you couldnt steal music then music sales would be bigger than ever. But I guess its alright to steal things from people as long as its only music. Stealing every thing else is a crime. Who cares. Stealing from musicians is A OK in my book. Most of them are dumb anyway.

I think people should be able to work into anyones house and take what they want. Fuck it.

]]> By: huh? http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-336444 huh? Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:06:42 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-336444 on another note, i thought this was well thought out, well argued and well written. quality stuff, vn. here's a follow up...how do bands in the metal community view 360 deals? generally for or against the idea? on another note, i thought this was well thought out, well argued and well written. quality stuff, vn. here’s a follow up…how do bands in the metal community view 360 deals? generally for or against the idea?

]]> By: John http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/10/28/earache-records-takes-one-giant-step-into-the-future/#comment-336443 John Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:06:06 +0000 http://www.metalsucks.net/?p=23463#comment-336443 So, I have recently started my own record company and as someone who spent about a year doing R&D I can tell you that I don't think giving albums away for free are going to last very long. The future of music hinges on the musicians' healtha nd financial well being and I for one am a HUGE supporter of this. My business plan is clear, digital ONLY sales. Also labels being smart with their finances would help in the long run as well, alot of labels out there ran up a lot of bad debt over stupid practices(see EMI) and look at where they are at. I do not nor ever will sing my bands to 360 deals becaus eI believe they degrade the artist. I set them up with a standard deal for a 1 album. If they like working with me and I like working with them I option to pick them up for 3 more. ALSO, I give my artists the option of a health/dental/401 k plan, and really work with the artist on building long-term financial success so that artists are able to get up in the morning and play with there kids and spend time with their families, instead of recovering at a methodone clinic. PS Vinnie seriously needs to take a business/accounting class and learn about checks and balances. So,

I have recently started my own record company and as someone who spent about a year doing R&D I can tell you that I don’t think giving albums away for free are going to last very long. The future of music hinges on the musicians’ healtha nd financial well being and I for one am a HUGE supporter of this. My business plan is clear, digital ONLY sales. Also labels being smart with their finances would help in the long run as well, alot of labels out there ran up a lot of bad debt over stupid practices(see EMI) and look at where they are at. I do not nor ever will sing my bands to 360 deals becaus eI believe they degrade the artist. I set them up with a standard deal for a 1 album. If they like working with me and I like working with them I option to pick them up for 3 more. ALSO, I give my artists the option of a health/dental/401 k plan, and really work with the artist on building long-term financial success so that artists are able to get up in the morning and play with there kids and spend time with their families, instead of recovering at a methodone clinic.

PS Vinnie seriously needs to take a business/accounting class and learn about checks and balances.

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