Quote:
Originally Posted by PulpMind
I'm not sure I get the big deal.
Other than some guy from some big band that was marketed by some big labels back in the 90's heading up this project, what exactly is it that's being done that isn't already available to artists?
There are TONS of digital labels out there. There are infinite options for bands that want to promote themselves online - from doing it themselves, to hiring on agents, to selling out...
The only thing new here is these specific big name players.
I like Radiohead's music, and I love how they were one of the first major sell out bands to jump on the "I'm totally not a sell out because our next album is a free 128K mp3 downlaod" bandwagon... but what's happening here that hasn't already been done?
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It's a question of scale. If this turns out the way I'm hoping it will, it could signal an actual viable alternative to the big four in the mainstream media space, which is desperately needed. I don't know for sure that it will, but I trust McBride -- he's got his head on straight.
Yes there are digital labels out there. There are options. But I would argue that there are few that are truly successful in any meaningful sense of the word. It's an exceedingly difficult way to make a living as a musician. Granted, nobody ever said that music should be easy, but I'd settle for 'viable career alternative.' If this is a way to achieve that, I'm for it.
Your post reads like a hipster rant, as if anyone who achieves any degree of success is automatically a sellout. This is a valid opinion I guess, but it fails to acknowledge or address the fact that a professional musician needs to be a bussinessperson as well as an artist. Music as art is well and good and you can pursue that if it's your desire. Music should be art, even within the professional realm, for that matter. However, to pursue music as a career one must also be conscious of the moneymaking aspects of it. If that's selling out, then I'll happily be a sellout; If selling out is what it takes to get paid to do what I love, then show me where to sign.