In light of the announcement of high street giants 'HMV' going into administration I was wondering where I heard a warning of this before. The answer was in MC Lars' 'Download this Song'. MC Lars' image is the adorable nerd rapper with his songs always focusing on intelligent subjects such as literature, poetry and even space travel. However, 'Download this Song' has been on repeat on my iPod due to the serious message it carries. Although the song was released in 2006, it has never been more relevant then today as Lars explains to big record companies that the music industry will fall apart if they fail to recognize that we are now in the digital age and if they want to keep up with technology then they need to embrace it; otherwise they are doomed to failure. If free digital songs are available to consumers then of course consumers will grab it with both hands, everybody loves something for free but is up to record companies and distributors to adapt to this. This may have been the very reason why HMV sank like the Titanic, and while my sympathies are with those who now need to find new jobs, it is good news for indie record stores. I have always loved indie stores due to the fact that the staff are passionate about what they do and most importantly, they stress the importance of physical copies. There is nothing like the buzz that you feel when you walk out of a shop, anxious to get home so you can discover something new. You will not find this buzz sitting on your computer. In fact with many vinyls, EPs and LPs that I have purchased, there has been a code on the inside so the consumer can have a physical copy and still enjoy the song on their iPods.
Next time you feel the urge to buy a new single or album, seek out your local record store and more then likely the staff will get to know you, and in time, start recommending new releases that you may like. This is a huge contrast to the service that HMV offered, a faceless corporate organization that I always felt lost in. (one member of staff even admitted to my boyfriend that he didn't even LIKE music). Remember that the fate of music is in the hands of the consumer.
It's 2006, the consumer's still pissed , won't take it anymore so I'm writing a list, Don't try to resist this paradigm shift, The music revolution cannot be dismissed $18.98 Iggy Pop CD? What if I can get it from my sister for free? It's all about marketing Clive Davis, see? If fans buy the shirt then they get the mp3 Music was a product now it is a service Major record labels why are you trying to hurt us? Epic's up in my face like, "Don't steal our songs Lars," While Sony sells the burners that are burning CD-R's. So Warner, EMI, hear me clearly, Universal Music, update your circuitry.
MC Lars
No comments:
Post a Comment