I’m a fine one to talk. But since the admonishment from Dave Meros of Spock’s Beard, I’ve certainly done some thinking. Am I going to stop sharing music – No. This is something I’ve always done (long before the advent of intertubes) and it is one of the fundamental, moral, goods that we give each other gifts of music.
That being said, there are artists that are intensely deserving of our (my) financial support. To help celebrate an upcoming Marillion release, I did give them a few dollars and downloaded some items directly from their web store. That just makes me feel good – giving the money directly to the artist.
Over at Prosaic Paradise, I got the report from last weekend’s ProgDay down in Chapel Hill. Sipport takes many forms: buying the ticket or merch, pumping the keg or j.st chatting up the artists after the show. *jealous*
So, with that warm feeling, I’m going to enjoy some great music on this beautiful Sunday, and I hope you will do the same.
It’s in this spirit that I most always buy a t-shirt at the rock show. Plus it’s sweet to have tour shirts in your wardrobe.
In fact, I am wearing a Mike Gordon Fall Tour 2009 T right now.
In re music sharing, I’ve taken that attitude that local musicians (New Orleans in my case) who don’t really make what I would call a living wage in making their art — do not get shared for free by me. I pay to see them, I buy their merch and, above all, when recommending them to others, I tell my friends where they can buy the music rather than sharing it for free.
On the other hand, a major artist who has “made it” in my opinion, is someone who I feel comfortable sharing for free. With someone like the Rolling Stones for instance, it seems obvious to me that they’re doing OK without the additional $0.99 iTunes download. There’s a grey area for sure somewhere between the two extremes where it gets more difficult which is when I revert back to the rule. Pay for local music. Ok to share non-local music.
-HK
Very welcome and thoughtful comments from HK. I agree whole-heartedly with the distinction you pointed out. I would also add that there are artists who who have sanctioned the activity – whether it be through file sharing or just trading tapes. So, this discussion is really about sharing somebody else’s work that is otherwise ‘for sale’ somewhere. If a new ‘Stones or Clapton record comes out – I just can’t justify making a purchase. Particularly with Slowhand, I have already given him so much money in album sales, concert tickets, etc, etc.
Come to ProgDay! Come to ProgDay!! You won’t regret it.