Okay, I read all that whole thing, and it raises some good points, but it focuses too much on attacking the industry, and not on the artist side. My other problem is this:
:
2. Support artists directly. If a band you like is stuck on a major label, there are tons of ways you can support them without actually buying their CD. Tell everyone you know about them - start a fansite if you're really passionate. Go to their shows when they're in town, and buy t-shirts and other merchandise. Here's a little secret: Anything a band sells that does not have music on it is outside the reach of the record label, and monetarily supports the artist more than buying a CD ever would. T-shirts, posters, hats, keychains, stickers, etc. Send the band a letter telling them that you're no longer going to be purchasing their music, but you will be listening to it, and you will be spreading the word and supporting them in other ways. Tell them you've made this decision because you're trying to force change within the industry, and you no longer support record labels with RIAA affiliations who own the music of their artists.
If you like bands who are releasing music on open, non-RIAA indie labels, buy their albums! You'll support the band you like, and you'll support hard-working, passionate people at small, forward-thinking music labels. If you like bands who are completely independent and are releasing music on their own, support them as much as possible! Pay for their music, buy their merchandise, tell all your friends about them and help promote them online - prove that a network of passionate fans is the best promotion a band can ask for.
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People don't. I know with my own friends, whether it's Metallica or some obscure prog-metal band who still have to hold down regular jobs, they won't buy any of them. They
can download them, so they
will download them, there's no distinction. For example, a friend of mine said to me, when I asked him if he'd pay for my band's music, "Yes, because I know you". That's the only reason he would.
Another example is the Radiohead thing. 60% of their
fans paid
nothing for it. I know that article goes into this, and says about the lesser quality of it, but a friend of mine reports that it was 320kbps vbr. While not CD quality, that's pretty good for a download, and the band had always planned to release it in CD form later. People have a problem with the labels making so much money from sales, well here was a chance to basically donate straight to the fucking artist, and few did. People will make up as many excuses for downloading/filesharing as they want, but even if they are offered a solution, I'm pretty sure the people doing it won't ever take it, because it's so much easier to acquire the music for free.