I’ve picked on journalism enough in this blog that I thought I would spread the love to another dino-media; the music industry and their distribution model (and specifically the RIAA).
The tricky thing about music distribution services is gaining the install base. You have to develop a network and gain enough users, which is expensive. Or you can go the disruptive route like pandora, last.fm and Napster (pre Metallica destruction), which is difficult to monetize because the RIAA is made up of medieval land barons.
I think the time is right for someone to cut the legs out from under all of them. Introduce a service that makes it irrelevant for indie bands to get a label. Get enough good content and you don’t have to play their game. I know there are several services that try and do this, Pod Show and their Pod Safe Music Network is the closest to accomplishing this (there’s a reason most of these bands aren’t signed). Honestly, MySpace is in the best situation to do this but they are owned by people who have a vested interest in the medieval land baron model.
You need to have access to both a network for distribution and a network of content. Most companies focus on building the distribution network. This is what Satellite Radio, iTunes, Slacker and all of the new startups are doing. This is why the RIAA holds the reigns. They control the network of content.
Podshow has been using podcasters as their distribution network and are building their own network of content. It still remains to be seen if they will be able to branch out beyond podcasting, which I think they will need to do in order to be successful.
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I really don’t believe that the necessity for indie bands to sign on to a label is driven by the need to record and distribute an album, which is getting increasingly cheaper and easier for the everyday DIY’er. Most indie, alternative, punk, garage, whatever bands, are more interested in a label that will offer tour support. It’s difficult to sell your music outside of your small little pond if you can’t get on the road and let people identify with you. While labels do help some with distribution, the important part is the marketing and advertising of the “product.” Which doesn’t come cheap.
In my opinion, that’s the part that has gotten the cheapest. How much does a MySpace page cost?
I think that CD’s are irrelevant. If there was one place to go (a distribution network) where I knew I could go find really good indie music AND I could buy individual songs, or complete albums from the bands I like (just like I do on iTunes) I would never buy another CD the rest of my life.
As far as touring goes, who has time to go to concerts. I only (and very rarely) go to concerts to see bands I already like, not to discover IF I like them (that’s time AND money).
Granted, being married with three kids doesn’t put me in the Indie band target market, but I am more likely to buy an album than copy an album.
Mark my words, the first person to do the above, will be rich.
Good point with the MySpace. I think I was speaking more along the lines of merchandise and touring costs. I’m with you as far as never buying another CD. (something I personally see as “clutter”)
I’m actually writing this as I listen to a great NPR:Fresh Air podcast with Los Straitjackets and I’m looking forward to jacking into itunes and getting their new album….
Tangent aside… I’m one of those older people who really never goes to live shows myself, especially if I haven’t heard the band. (opening acts can get great exposure though) The whole point I see in touring is for the young kids with their parents money that go to every show that rolls through town………
Of course, who am I kidding…. I only play music anymore because I feel like I have to for some reason, I don’t really see myself touring like the good old days, when responsibility meant little more than finding my own way to band practice.