Some statistics today (for those who might be interested): Since the release of my debut album Le Gruyère on Long Lost Relative in march this year roundabout 15.000 people checked my Bandcamp page. ( https://trommeltobi.bandcamp/album/le-gruy-re ) I got 40.000 plays on Bandcamp, 30.000 plays on Soundcloud. Makes 70.000 plays all together. And overall I sold c.a. 200 albums (only digital on Bandcamp, not including merch sales or sales from external websites and stores). Moral is completely left out. But this is reality. 70.000 plays - 200 sales. In my opinion it shows pretty clear the behaviour of all of us, including me. And it defines the music business in our times pretty well. At least the music business of so-called independent artists. On the one hand not everyone who checks out your music or videos likes it automatically in return. Of course. Clicks dont mean shit in other words. And on the other hand it defines our times, in which most of the people listen to music on their different devices - smart phones, computers, tablets. CDs are dead, vinyl never dies but is mainly a collectors item for a minority of music lovers. You can find free streams of music everywhere. Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Spotify etc...just to name a few. Means there is actually no need to buy or no need to own the music anymore. Nothing new I guess. I love (and live with) the fact, that (my) music can be found and streamed everywhere...even for free. Because I believe and learned that the most important thing is to spread the music. Period. And that the music can be found almost anywhere and by anyone...and not straight connected to the wallet. I believe that in other ways, sooner or later, the artist will get it back. At least through Karma. lol But even the money will come. Through concert ticket sales, merch sales and finally through the people who love AND buy the music. Its just a long(er) ride. It takes more time. Its a roller coaster ride, but even with all these struggles it feels pretty real. I dont need to force people to buy my music because the media or someone is telling them its hip to do so. I want my music to spread the most natural way possible...people telling each other...mouth to mouth and ear by ear. It is a gift to know that every single one who finally bought my album did this because he or she actually loves the music for the music. This is priceless! Only one thing is very important I believe. And here moral cant be left out: When in the end nobody will support independent artists anymore. In no way. When you dont buy their music, dont go to their concerts and dont pay for the tickets (hello guest list- lovers). Then please, please do not wonder when they finally all die out. The musicians, the clubs smaller than O2 - worlds, the promoters, the fine parties and concerts. Or at least everything and all of them will be found less and less and less. Especially talking about the live business, concerts. It is already happening. And then only plastic will remain. And I am a bit terrified of a future in which ALL people constantly consume shit in huge shopping malls (the small ones died out as well, same shit here) and through the speakers and headphones everybody is forced to listen to Bob Geldofs Band Aid 30 all day. So yeah, maybe this year all of us behave a bit different. Christmas is coming soon. Lets buy independent music, support independent artists and make friend and family happy too. Let us buy our presents and our food in local shops and stores. And not only online and in mega stores. We should stop to make the fat ones fatter and try to support the smaller ones instead. And I believe we will get back a lot in return. Peace, TrommelTobi
Posted on: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 17:42:05 +0000
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