Music biz, technology, recording and marketing.
EDIT: Yes, I'm moving this post up in date, and re-posting it...I wanted to make sure it didn't get lost behind the HT b-day post.
Firstly, I just wanted to note that I intend my responses to always be a nod of respect for the people posting. Even if I respond to one of your comments in disagreement, I still respect your thoughtfulness and opinion enough to re-post and reply to your comment! Thanks for visiting.
POSTED ASH_QWERTY, HOW TO: ARTIST ROYALTIES, INDIE V. MAJOR We can hardly judge Warner for what they're doing though can we? I mean, we've all downloaded some LP music off random sites without paying haven't we (sorry Mike)? Although i know download all my non-cd tracks off 7digital.com- honest :-). But Mike & LP even support this- they're that kind of band. Still, screw Warner :-). Everyone on the LPU Forums hates them anyway!
M: The part about downloading is actually a common misconception; I don't support stealing music. Artists work hard to make and put out their songs, and they should be able to reap rewards from their work. I do, however, accept the fact that, the way the internet is, I can't stop anyone from stealing it. Some people want to chase down every peer-to-peer network and shut it down. I think that approach might simply be unrealistic.
However...the comment brings up a great point. Bear with me on this one.
When I was about 16, I decided to care about who I was buying music from. I realized that buying an album or concert ticket is more important to me than a lot of people. Here's how: every dollar you spend on a band (whether it be on their music, concert tickets, or merchandise) is a statement; it says that you want the artist to continue to make music. In buying something, you are essentially helping fund their future endeavors. This doesn't matter whether it is your friend's band down the street or Linkin Park. So now the question is, "If I think of every dollar I spend is a dollar of support...are there dollars I should be relocating elsewhere? Do I believe that Nike deserves my support? Do the ringtone companies, the fast food companies, the movie studios?" Food for thought.
Regardless how you feel about the topics above, the bottom line is this: if any of you are stealing music from a band that you love, but you're buying something from a company that you don't care about, I would very politely suggest that you might have some re-prioritizing to do.
POSTED BY STELIOS (about ROAD TO REVOLUTION DVD/CD) "The rest of the stuff will be made available to you, though...you'll see!" oh mike, please tell me that you dont mean that the rest of the live songs will be on the lpu8 cd! no more live songs!
M: No, the leftover live songs won't be the new LPU CD. We heard your comments about the last LPU CD needing to have more unique material, so we're trying to do that. I think this year's LPU CD will be one of the best ever. At the very least, it'll be the most unique. Here's what it won't be: live tracks, new unreleased Linkin Park album music. (insert frantic guessing game here).
(more responses to fan comments after the jump)
I was going to post a few responses to fan comments / questions, but this post caught my eye.
RETURNING FROM BLOGWORLD, PART 2.
i want to add something that i may not have made 100% clear with my statement at blogworld about signing (or not) with major labels. i knew that this statement would resonate...don't worry, i'm not backing down from what i said at all :)
by no means do i know everything about how this works. i've made mistakes, and i don't know all the inner workings of the varied, complicated agreements that musicians are making with various entities. as you read on, i simply want to remind you that there are other opinions on the subject. this is mine.
at blogworld, i said that if you want to make a living making music, and you don't need the "fame" aspect (you don't need to "blow up"), then you don't need to go with a major. it's more complex than "avoiding majors" though. AND, to be perfectly clear, i'm also not saying the ONLY other option is an indie label (you could distribute it and promote it yourself, for example). i'm saying that there are many ways to be a self-sustaining musician these days. recording is easier and cheaper than ever, distribution can be nearly as simple as setting up a paypal account, and online fanbases are out there for you to find and connect with.
the key still is, and will always be: is your music good? do i, as a fan, like it? to what degree am i interested in being a part of what you have to offer through your recordings, shows, or merchandise?
on a side note: if fame is the focus part of the equation today, then what about linkin park? the answer: times were different back in the late 1990s when we signed with a major. they weren't asking for ownership of your touring, merchandise, fan club, and domain name back then. they are now.
to put it in perspective: tom whalley, the president of warner brothers, would love to see you succeed and build a strong following of 10,000 fans by yourself, with no one else's help. at that point, he knows that if you decide to work with warner bros., although he will have to offer you more in order for you to be interested in working with WB, your work has given you (and them) a head start, plus they know they're working with someone who understands what it takes to build momentum from the ground up. it's a win-win.
anyway, the bottom line is that the power is now in your hands more than ever. my advice to you is to throw the old rulebook out, be thoughtful about your decisions, and do what works for you.
mike