MoreSpaceEcho wrote:you get the feeling that a lotta people have never listened to any records that didn't come out on a major label....
Um, I think that's actually true.
I'd guess that somewhere along the lines of 90% of Americans don't often listen to music that wasn't at least
distributed by a major.
...Actually wait, I think that figure might be kinda high.... That would mean the American market for buying purely independent records today is roughly 30 million people. I don't know about that. Let's crunch some numbers...
I can tell you this much: According to the RIAA, there were roughly 614 million full-length CD's sold in 2006, down from a recent high of 949 million in 2000. Downloads of full albums were just around 27 million. (More promisingly, downloads of singles were up to around 586 million though, up from a low in 2000 of "N/A".)
Lets call it 700 million in Album sales for now.... although I don't know if that counts. T What's the market share for all Indie Labels combined? Apparently it's somewhere around 20%. Unfortunately I don't know whether or not this counts albums distributed by majors somewhere along the line, It probably counts labels like Koch, who may as well be majors, and I've read varying figures: anywhere from 15%-30%.
So why don't I think 15-30% of the record buying public regularly listens to Indie records? Well, you average indie music fan doesn't just buy one or two full length indie albums a year, does he? He buys a bunch, right? That tilts the figure toward fewer people buying indie records.
This is just a guess, but I'd say at
least 90% of people in America don't really listen to independent records.... and I think that's being
very generous.
Just because your world might revolve around indie music, and just because you see more people than ever with shaggy mop-tops, snap-button plaid shirts, and decent sneakers (or whatever it is that you associate with the independent music you're into) , doesn't mean everyone is rushing out to buy the new indie releases. Fashion is a much bigger seller, and it doesn't require that you turn off the television.
Anyway, sure, Gearslutz is a different world, where mixed-up priorities rule, and tons of clueless rich people hang out. That said, not much of the advice there was
bad. Some people have absolutely now frame of reference for indie budgets.
So, in there defense, today's record buying public isn't used to listening to records that cost $6k to make. Not that you can't make a killer record with some thought, artistry and planning.
Also, I think John had a crucial and realistic point about making music for a living:
toaster3000 wrote:
I am all for DIY, it just doesn't seem like it would be a good way to spend a small amount of money... maybe do overdubs at home, and buy a 57, an m160, and a decent LDC... i dunno. then what happens when you go to mix and the guitar and vocal sounds suck dong? oops....
DIY is great on your own dime, but maybe not so great if you are expected to deliver a product to a label, most likely on a deadline.
john
And remember, at it's upper echelons, the music industry is a playground for the rich. The rich tend to care about money. Don't ever be surprised if your life's work seems insignificant to many and crucial to few.
