Having just offered a free download of a song off my new live album, Im not one to shy away from giving. Im pretty generous with my music. We do benefit concerts just about whenever were asked, and if our schedule permits, were there. I give away the right to use my music weekly to podcasters, indie film makers, and students for various projects. Im usually grateful that they ask before just taking it. All the more reason to be aggravated when I see a Google Alert this morning announcing that some untraceable third party is offering free downloads of my music, complete with exclamation points and happy faces. There is no happy face here. Im usually Mr. Happy Happy Fun Guy on here, but Napster - and everyone that has followed - can go straight to hell, and I wont apologize for saying it. They destroyed one of the only viable means for artists to support themselves from recorded music - in a time that has otherwise been exciting for independent artists. The internet has replaced the record label for many of us, and thats been a good thing. But, like its been said about certain deity, the internet giveth and the internet taketh away. I have many friends on here whove made albums, and they can tell you, its not cheap, its not fast, and its anything but free - to us. If we could make it free, we probably wouldnt mind so much giving it away. But these things cost us thousands and thousands of dollars to create. Yeah, we can make albums in our home now - IF you spend the thousands of dollars on the equipment and software. (And believe me, most of us can tell when youve scrimped.) Anyway, had to vent. Please dont support these third party thieves. Sure, its fast. Its easy, but its not free. Your support of thievery has its price.
Posted on: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 17:16:20 +0000
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