Phoenix Woman writes “Nowadays, I don’t download music anymore, not unless it’s from a trusted source. I don’t buy major-label stuff, either. Instead, I buy music direct from the artist, and these days every street busker and bar musician who can play more than three chords on his or her guitar has piles of self-burned, self-marketed CDs sitting in the open axe case next to the pile of quarters, dollar bills and fivers.”

Well said. This is how I have been doing it for years. No matter how much I earn. I can not stand paying retail to the mega label. I have even given mid tier acts (though top notch) like fishbone, tips on stage. Even though they are not busking, they gladly took the money.

Fishbone rocks. (Thought I’d put in a word for them.)

Well said. This is how I have been doing it for years. No matter how much I earn. I can not stand paying retail to the mega label. I have even given mid tier acts (though top notch) like fishbone, tips on stage. Even though they are not busking, they gladly took the money.
As a music artist myself, I saw the biz put a lot of noise in the heads of many fine artists. This rendered them less likely to take an interest in the business side of their art. The business created a small place for which the artist to dwell.

It is fantastic to see the self production evolution.

Maybe this is the redistribution of wealth people seem to be so keen on.

Sad for the music boutiques that were making huge bucks on small projects, watching these projects become more scarce to nepotism , the cousin with the casio can now score the commercial, or when they do get a prime gig, the pay scale is way down due to a saturation of people who have home project studios.

Still it is fantastic for all of those who wanted to get into the studio but did not know the right people or did not know how to act around the right people.

With respect and kindness to all.

Jonathan @ 26

dear God,

I wish I could convince everyone here to listen to vinyl.

Yep, on a classic Thorens/SME, through McIntosh. We lost something there.

Or a Rega Planar 3, with Magnepans and the amps of your choice.

(Now that we’ve outed ourselves, shall we do the Secret Audiophile Handshake?)

dear God,

I wish I could convince everyone here to listen to vinyl.

Analogue forever!

1) Go to a genuine audiophile store.

2) Compare an original British pressing of most any Pink Floyd album (especially Dark Side of the Moon to all but the very best HDCD editions.

3) Be amazed at just how much the original Brit LP blows the mass-market CD away.

Nowadays, I don’t download music anymore, not unless it’s from a trusted source. I don’t buy major-label stuff, either. Instead, I buy music direct from the artist, and these days every street busker and bar musician who can play more than three chords on his or her guitar has piles of self-burned, self-marketed CDs sitting in the open axe case next to the pile of quarters, dollar bills and fivers.

We also have blogs, podcasts and Paypal…

Hmmm.