Freedom 2004 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

SecretMethod70 · 03-11-2004, 02:14 AM

Well, whether you like George Michael or not, I think this is cool. It seems he's asserting his "freedom" yet again...

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/...594467884.html

Quote:

British singer George Michael said today he was retiring from the music business and intended instead to put all his future songs on the Internet - for free.

The 40-year-old pop star told BBC radio he would never make another album for sale in record shops, because he did not need the money and wanted to be less famous.

Michael is currently promoting his latest album Patience, but revealed it would be his last.

"I think it's going to be my last commercial promoted release. I've been very well remunerated for my talents over the years so I really don't need the public's money," he said.

Now, he added, he would "really like to have something on the internet with charitable donation optional, where anyone can download my music for free".

"Believe me, in the modern world if you take yourself out of the financial aspect of things, ie. if you're not in anybody's chart, you're not making anybody any money, you're not losing anybody any money, believe me, I'll be of very little interest to the press in a certain number of years.

"I'll hopefully be a happier man."

Unfortunately, this is not a viable option for artists starting out, but it's good to know and see every now and then that there are people - and relatively big people - in the music industry willing to break free from the excruciating control of labels.

Nancy · 03-11-2004, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SecretMethod70
Well, whether you like George Michael or not, I think this is cool. It seems he's asserting his "freedom" yet again...

OMG? I was JUST about to put the same link in here!

Anyways I'm a huge fan of George Michael and I think that this is a cool way to take his leave. Too bad though on the other hand because he makes such great music! Especially "Older" which was no less than genious....

quadro2000 · 03-11-2004, 01:00 PM

There are a few things that strike me as odd about this story.

First of all, obviously it's good timing for a news article to come out on George Michael as he has a new album coming out soon. But he just signed a new record label with Sony - to come out and publicly say, essentially, that he won't be recording with them any more (or making them money)...isn't that like biting the hand that feeds you? Why release THIS one, then? And why should Sony promote it if he's just going to ditch them afterwards?

I'm a George Michael fan too (best concert I've ever been to), but the guy has made some really weird decisions.

That being said, the article is being distorted - all the titles are "George Michael Retiring From Music Business," which is kinda true, but implies that he'll never make music again. A more accurate title would be "George Michael to Release Free Music Independently", but then again, that wouldn't sell as many papers.

FWIW, I loved Faith and Listen Without Prejudice but Older was just a little too out there for me. Some of the eventual remixes that came out were much better than the album tracks. I heard the new single and wasn't extremely impressed. We'll see how it does...

SecretMethod70 · 03-12-2004, 04:58 PM

Yeah, the wording in the article is pretty deceptive - something to catch your eye to get you to read it. But, either way, what he's doing is cool

03-11-2004, 01:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
quadro2000 All Possibility, Made Of Custard Location: New York, NY	There are a few things that strike me as odd about this story. First of all, obviously it's good timing for a news article to come out on George Michael as he has a new album coming out soon. But he just signed a new record label with Sony - to come out and publicly say, essentially, that he won't be recording with them any more (or making them money)...isn't that like biting the hand that feeds you? Why release THIS one, then? And why should Sony promote it if he's just going to ditch them afterwards? I'm a George Michael fan too (best concert I've ever been to), but the guy has made some really weird decisions. That being said, the article is being distorted - all the titles are "George Michael Retiring From Music Business," which is kinda true, but implies that he'll never make music again. A more accurate title would be "George Michael to Release Free Music Independently", but then again, that wouldn't sell as many papers. FWIW, I loved Faith and Listen Without Prejudice but Older was just a little too out there for me. Some of the eventual remixes that came out were much better than the album tracks. I heard the new single and wasn't extremely impressed. We'll see how it does... __________________ You have to laugh at yourself...because you'd cry your eyes out if you didn't. - Emily Saliers

03-12-2004, 04:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
SecretMethod70 Human Administrator Location: Chicago	Yeah, the wording in the article is pretty deceptive - something to catch your eye to get you to read it. But, either way, what he's doing is cool __________________ Le temps détruit tout "Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling