The Freefaller

This week, MusicianWages.com, Music Careers at About.com and KnowtheMusicBiz.com have organised a world-wide blog event for musicians in response to a letter from a mother concerned about her teenage son’s file-sharing habits. Bloggers worldwide will be writing their response to the following letter:

I have a teenage son who tells me his pirating music is no big deal. Since he is a musician himself, I point out to him that someday that’s going to be his money people are stealing. But he remains unphased.

He tells me the record sales make money for the record label, not the artist. He says that the artists make all their money from touring and live concerts. He thinks the pirated music promotes the concerts and therefore helps the artist make more money. I still don’t allow pirating in my house.

But tell me what you think - as artists out there having your work “shared,” are you just glad to have it being enjoyed, or does it bother you? Admittedly, he is stealing music that is recorded by major record labels, so maybe its different than the independent musician working for his living. But I’d still like to hear what you think.

Thanks,
Valerie

Here is my response:

Firstly - piracy is a big deal. But it’s how we manage it that will see us through the “crisis” so many of us are talking about. It’s time to recognise a few things. Music can be copied, file shared, stolen, or whatever you want to call it. A soon as we try and protect it someone will crack it. As soon as someone is prosecuted for illegal file sharing someone else will carry on doing it. This cycle will continue if we constantly oppose the technology.

Look at it realistically. To fully stop the illegal file sharing of music we’d have to shut the internet down completely. Is that going to happen?

So what does that leave us with?

We now have to search for new and inspired ways of releasing music so it is sustainable and can make money for the artist producing it. Music can be copied and if an artist doesn’t make their music package appealing then no one will buy it - they will simply copy it.

The most routine and ordinary solution to this problem is to supplement the artists music with a live performance, an age-old solution. But look at it’s attributes. Live shows are an experience and not a product, hence why they are so revered. If you can make your music an experience rather than a product then you might have something that can’t be copied. Is it then any coincidence that we see live performance profits staggeringly high, whilst physical sales are in huge decline?

Independent musicians have to make money, so only the most innovative will survive this crisis. Rather than opposing your sons views on music piracy, (and in the same vein, your son fighting back at you) you should both be working out your next move as to how your son can make a living out of music in today’s climate.

The solution to that question is one we’re all trying to figure out - including the major labels! We have to embrace what the internet has brought, not oppose it.

Let’s see what happens…