The simplicity and depth of this line from the Bob Dylan song "Silvio" still blows me away. "Why?"....I think I hear you think. Those true of heart musically can never be 'bought' into music that they don't believe in.
This is not to say that because your favourite band puts out a clanger that they should be burned at the stake along with anything else they've ever done. Every band puts out clangers. Even 'The Beatles' on side 4 of "The Beatles" (more commonly known as "The White Album"). 'Number 9' the track is called. Personally, I think it should have been called 'Bad Acid Trip.'
Less than two years later they were standing on top of the Abbey Road Studios, freezing, pumping out 'The One After 909' which is a classic rocker penned by Lennon back in 1959.
My favourite band, The Rolling Stones, have had plenty. On listening to the first four seconds of the 'Undercover' album I almost fainted in disbelief. They remain my favourite band because I believe in them musically. The law of averages dictate a certain amount of 'discrepancies.' Having said this, one mans poison is another mans wine....or something like that.
This....is where my grievances with so-called 'music distributers' begins.
Firstly, from a musicians perspective, they couldn't care less who you are....and they don't. Keep paying your annual subscription and they'll continue on their merry way, oblivious to the fact that you're even there.
They have their little subsiduaries such as Tunecore and the likes telling eager indie artists the benefits of this, that and the other....all of which are at a cost and from what I've seen and experienced aren't worth a damn cent. It's all fluff.
The next tier down from Tunecore and their buddies are the likes of ReverbNation and iLike. ReverbNation does provide great promotional widgets and stats but are constantly 'encouraging' artists to upgrade; in other words "spend money because we get a kick-back."
I find it out & out deception when my songs are placed on ReverbNation and iLike but I have not posted them for sale, as many supporters are led to believe. I have received more than a few angry emails accusing ME of deceiving supporters.
Listen up!!!....Those of you who have written these letters (those of you who haven't, have a read and a laugh)....ALL new releases are now only available via Nimbit. Surely that's not to hard to digest. Give it a couple of minutes; it'll sink in.
My material that IS currently on iTunes is in the process of being distributed via Nimbit. This way, exact release dates can be announced well in advance. This will continue to be the case as I find it's the right thing to do.
This is another cause of consternation. My latest album, "Catharsis," was released at exactly 9pm, A.E.S.T. by myself and IMGlobal©.....simply because we could. The album had, infact, already been released by iTunes several days earlier. Like previous iTunes releases, no notice was given. This sort of behaviour is downright rude and unprofessional.
I wonder if Celine whats-her-name or Robbie the singing English midget have these issues? I suspect not because they have large amounts of MONEY behind them and are making iTunes large amounts of MONEY.
Perhaps if indie musicians were shown the tiniest piece of courtesy I suspect they would not be leaving in droves, as I am aware they are, which is giving iTunes the perfect 'excuse' to increase their prices to $1.29U.S.
Instead of fessing-up to the downright obvious they will no doubt patronise the masses with feeble excuses leaving indie artists even worse off by being there. No doubt a large percentage of folks will blindly follow their fluff, gimmics & toys.
Sticking my neck out & keeping my songs at $0.88, I may well be doing as Bob Dylan said in 'Silvio,' but I have to in order to stay true to myself musically.
"....I've got to go; down to the valley only dead men know."
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That was TAME Bob! ;-) You controlled yourself!
ReplyDeleteBeing an OUTSIDER, I'm learning more and more about this GAME, from you and other artists, and it boggles my mind! Beginning to wonder if the Reverb artists who are getting SIGNED, know what they are in for!
I'm half tempted to buy a Nimbit account, and sign artists myself! ;-)
More to come, pal. This is the tip of the iceberg.
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