Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that album art, lyrics, etc. can be
included in the download, and the digital medium opens up additional
possibilities for video (to help more performance-based musicians
distribute the experience), animation, web links, interactive
applications, etc. A creative artist could create more of a connection
with his/her listeners than was ever possible before.
--Josh
Joshua Carroll wrote:
On the flip side, having music available digitally creates a whole new
world of possibilities. A few years ago, I had a gigantic CD binder
containing almost my entire music collection stolen out of my car.
Thousands of dollars in recorded music--much of it
irreplaceable--gone. Now I just carry around my entire music
collection in one small iPod in my pocket because it's small enough
that I don't have to leave it in the car. It still plays in my car as
well as at my house, at my desk at work, and in my headphones when I'm
out and about. And should it get stolen or broken, all my music also
lives on my PC, which is in turn backed up periodically, and can be
restored.
Of course, I still love to purchase physical CDs. Now, though, I just
rip them into iTunes and store the CDs in a closet. Quite often,
however, I do purchase digital albums. They're generally slightly
cheaper, and the Internet provides almost instant gratification and the
cost of gasoline required to drive to the music store.
As an artist, having a CD available as a download makes your music
available to the entire world (or as much of it as you can market to)
without having to work a major distribution deal. My next album will
definitely be available both ways.
--Josh
Matthew F. McCabe wrote:
I agree. I'd much rather own a physical CD. It's almost as
if
mp3s cheapen music...in that it's much easier to delete a couple of
files than it is to throw a CD in the trash.
Matt
On Jul 30, 2006, at 5:42 PM, Krispen Hartung wrote:
I sure am. I have all of
the CDs going through all of the digital distribution as well.
All in all, I don't
really do this for the money, yet I have waffled back and forth on this
notion of whether I should give my CDs away, sell them for standard
market price, or severely discounted. It is a tough call, and pretty
much based on one's personal values on the matter....BUT, for me, the
gist is that I never want to generate a situation as an artist when
someone can't own one of my CDs simply because they can't afford it, or
because they have too many other CDs on their list and mine isn't the
the highest priority. I'd rather give my CDs away or mark them down to
CD Baby's cost, then not have folks listening to my music. And,
believe it or not, I am of the generation who still enjoys owning and
having a physical CD. When I produce a CD, the artwork on the sleeves
is just as much a part of the production as the music. It all fits
together into a theme. I like for people to have my physical CDs, not
just the MP3s and digital art. If they don't they are missing a
significant element of the production.
Kris
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