tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685761998401195191.post5111408713841625728..comments2024-01-17T12:50:51.115+00:00Comments on Did Not Chart: The economics of indiepopBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14151914517660803474noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685761998401195191.post-43125577738118880282013-01-30T20:26:45.495+00:002013-01-30T20:26:45.495+00:00Fans are to blame in that not enough of them buy m...Fans are to blame in that not enough of them buy music. You know why there are so many indiepop clubs and indie DJs? Because they can DJ off CDs or music they've downloaded. Perhaps if there's a time when there's no more small labels then they'll have moved on - got old and dropped out of the scene. It is selfish, but they won't care then because they don't care now. <br /><br />Bloggers who give away new music are to blame, too. Sure, they get loads of hits when they give away new music - records that have cost the bands and labels a lot of money to make - but it's self-aggrandising grandstanding by the bloggers. One label I contacted for this post said, "I do mind that blogs give away my records for download - when it's one song from a 2-track single, I lose sales."Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14151914517660803474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685761998401195191.post-37030594793579463472013-01-30T20:18:34.986+00:002013-01-30T20:18:34.986+00:00I agree, it's a fait accompli; no postal servi...I agree, it's a fait accompli; no postal service worldwide is that bothered that their increases will affect cottage industries across the board. This move targets the big shippers, particularly Amazon (in the UK it's direct mail and Amazon that are keeping the post office in business).<br /><br />I know that a lot of music fans don't buy (much) music. They certainly don't own turntables. I'm trying, as part of the Hangover Lounge, to give away 500 picture discs. Someone complained at the launch gig that the free 7" didn't come with a download code. You really can't win.<br /><br />I've only ever bought download-only music on two occasions (hello Charles Latham, twice). If more music that I love was only on download I'd buy more. But if it was on a physical format, then I'd only buy that. <br /><br />I wonder, though, as the prices get really silly, I won't buy them at all - I like to get things new and right now. Once it gets old, the impulse passes. There'll always be something new when I have the cash, right? I hope so. I know I (and you) are in a minority. Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14151914517660803474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685761998401195191.post-6033620607473025792013-01-30T18:18:26.087+00:002013-01-30T18:18:26.087+00:00being someone who's lost 30% of their income i...being someone who's lost 30% of their income in the past 2 years due to pay cuts in Greece, i will still be buying records in the face of postage rise, just like i did up to now. i'm being smart about this, i have my ways, i do combined orders, i look out for bargains etc. maybe i won't be pre-ordering or buying on release day, but i'll still be supporting for as long as i can afford it. <br /><br />people should be realistic. why would USPS care if indiepop dies? if anything, indiepop fans don't seem to care more, if we are to judge by record sales up to this day. <br /><br />i blame people/fans and only them for the situation you're describing, not USPS or Royal Mail. this will be just another excuse for them not to buy records.Songs for Girlshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15296984588656844583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685761998401195191.post-33078443285213486982013-01-30T17:24:07.631+00:002013-01-30T17:24:07.631+00:00Somehow I don't think this issue is going to g...Somehow I don't think this issue is going to gain much traction among regular people who will probably wonder why we feel the need to possess this music on a vinyl artifact that is made from fossil fuels? Or they'll say that you can download it and avoid paying any postage. I just looked at the <a href="https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/urge-congress-repeal-postal-accountability-and-enhancement-act-2006/nykngcHv" rel="nofollow">petition</a> to repeal the postal accountability act which is what's behind the USPS increases and and not even 2000 people have signed it. <br /><br />Even though the vinyl medium has seen a resurgence, it's still a niche market. Buying your music on the vinyl is way more expensive than any other format and that's before you even add in shipping expenses. If you also add in the expenses of a descent turntable set-up vs a cassette or cd player it's even more money. It has become a format for people addiction problems or with a lot of disposable income, everyone else is streaming or downloading. With the USPS increases I have a feeling a few more just moved into that latter category.tobyhttp://finestkiss.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com