The Hard Truth

Now last time we were together we talked about where music started and how it evolved to where it is at today. While music's history is interesting and the path it has blazed throughout the years is no less than amazing, it is time to take a step back and look at where that path has lead. A lot of artists and music enthusiasts feel that the music industry is in some dire straits.

The fact of the matter is that what the music industry is actually all about is selling CDs. The individual record labels throughout the industry really care about finding the lowest common denominator in popularity and making said track or artist the main focus. Basically what it boils down to is this; record labels micromanage every stage of a band's production period in order to create the most popular hit. They judge whether or not such a hit has been created by watching the CD sales. If a band sells x amount of CDs, x being a fairly high number one would assume, the record label puts all its energy and resources into selling that band's album, whether or not another artist on the same label might be getting a better mainstream reception. Then to top it all off the record label takes the greater majority of the royalties from said CD sales and leaves the musical artist out in the cold.

This is the sad truth of the music industry presently. A band might be selling out all of its concerts and racking up major downloads online, but if they do not have the CD sales to "back up" how good they are doing then it can be very difficult for them to get anywhere in the industry. Without stellar CD sales, a record label will not even bat an eyelash towards a band, which means a lot of raw musical talent goes unnoticed and unappreciated. With the industry being this way a lot of artists are deciding to not even bother with record labels, which may be the best solution. Some bands are noticing the trend of the industry to be a cold and cruel mistress and are developing other methods of production and distribution. "What are these methods?" you ask. "Please tell me, I NEED TO KNOW!" you scream. Well my compatriots you will be taught in good time, but you must be patient. These solutions are things best left for another time.


Source(s):

 Byrne, D. (2007, December 18). David byrne's survival strategies for emerging artists — and

  megastars. Wired, (16.01), Retrieved from  
  http://www.wired.com/entertainment/music/magazine/16-01/ff_byrne?currentPage=all


Mellencamp, J. (2009, March 22). On my mind: the state of the music business. The Huffington Post.
  Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-mellencamp/on-my-mind-the-state-of-t_b_177836.html