I find it interesting how we all still want to sell recorded music and have it as the key focal point/measurement device-when it comes to monetization and success.

I’m not advocating for music to be free, but I am questioning our die-hard attachment to a paradigm that is dissolving.  We don’t like change and there’s some comfort in the routine of doing things that worked in the past.  We are trying so hard to get people to buy music, when working with the flow of change might work out better.

What do I mean?

The internet has made music accessible on a scale we’ve never known before.  It ate into sales which caused the rage in the recording industry, but the overall interest in music most definitely increased because of this ease of access.  As an artist, the ability to get yourself noticed is well within your reach if you’re creative, resourceful, and willing to put in the effort.  There are more and more independent artists who’ve caught the attention of millions of people because of their creativity and hard work.

Who cares if people are exposed to the music, if they don’t buy the music?

What if they bought a t-shirt, told their friends about you, or helped you to sell out a show?  Even though the cost of recording an album has gone down, it still constitutes a a fair bit when you include the actual pressing/packaging of an archaic CD.  Why put the investment into a whole album and a physical CD, when you can make more money on t-shirts? Or when a steady stream of free digital singles or 3ps also makes it easier for people to get into your music. If most people are used to getting music for free or only buy singles, why spend the energy to fight when your energy could be spent working with that behavior to make fans around the world? You can still give them the option to buy it on Itunes or whatever, but why impede the potential for your music to really spread?

But making an album is what it’s all about.

Why do you think that an album is what it’s all about?  Is it because your favorite artists did it and that’s what everyone else does?  Why can’t you release 3ps every 3/4 months? Even if your album is a full-statement in your mind, can it not be broken down into four 3ps where people are excited to hear the next installment or step in the concept/story?

I don’t care about the money and want to put out a full album and CD

Cool. Then stop complaining about not making enough money.

I know I’m just repeating what we’ve said many times before, but there is real value when you question how things are done and discover new ways of thinking. There are no rules, even though our minds may like rules.

Music Consciousness
Hoover