RIAA accounting... Or why bands make no money

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News

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[MetalCrypt]

...Also a link to "Hollywood accounting" in the story, or how you can make it look like a Harry Potter movie lost money:

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20100712/23482610186.shtml

[Master Cthulhu]

It depends on the label, but I can probably see this in most major labels.

[MetalCrypt]

It depends on the label, but I can probably see this in most major labels.

Yeah, what's described here is the majors' M.O.

[Agis]

There is a link that tells of an alternative business system. Basically, the musicians would do what they do now plus what the companies do plus having a strong presence in the Internet plus slaving to the fans. C' mon! 

[Sargon the Terrible]

There is a link that tells of an alternative business system. Basically, the musicians would do what they do now plus what the companies do plus having a strong presence in the Internet plus slaving to the fans. C' mon! 

The alternative is letting the label do it all and get nothing back.  They have a business model where the artists can actually make a living.  It's more work than letting a label do it, but it actually pays.

[MetalMike]

I had always heard the bands made their money by touring and merchandise, hence the reason the cheapest, sweatshop manufactured tour t-shirt is $25-30.

Of course, it's always cool when the band has their own indie CDs for sale at shows, especially when one of the band members is working the table.  White Wizzard's singer was at their table before and after their set in Worcester back in April and I gladly forked over the $10 and got to chat with him for a couple of minutes.

[MetalCrypt]

I know many smaller labels give the bands a few hundred CDs as payment (not necessarily limited to that, but it's part of the deal.)  So yeah, if a band you like is coming to town, it's worth waiting until the show to buy the CD because then the money usually goes all to them.

 Ticket to Hell - Operation: Crash Course

[MetalMike]

I know many smaller labels give the bands a few hundred CDs as payment (not necessarily limited to that, but it's part of the deal.)  So yeah, if a band you like is coming to town, it's worth waiting until the show to buy the CD because then the money usually goes all to them.

Good to know 

[Agis]

The alternative is letting the label do it all and get nothing back.  They have a business model where the artists can actually make a living.  It's more work than letting a label do it, but it actually pays.

Can't we find a middle ground? I think it's important that musicians make a living through their music. They shouldn't spend most of their time promoting themselves on Facebook. They should use their time practising, composing, recording and touring. Any model that doesn't allow for that is a bad solution.   

[Sargon the Terrible]

Can't we find a middle ground? I think it's important that musicians make a living through their music. They shouldn't spend most of their time promoting themselves on Facebook. They should use their time practising, composing, recording and touring. Any model that doesn't allow for that is a bad solution.  

The ones who leave promotion to their label will be the ones who go broke and quit.

[luciferi]

And I felt bad for downloading music.

I figured that if I bought an album or merchandise, the artist would at least get something. In the case of bigger labels at least, that seems to not be the case at all.

Now I wish there was a list of artists suffering from this sort of disgusting scam, so I could obtain their music for free, without feeling like I'm ripping off the band.

I have pushed my budgets far to be able to support bands by buying their output (I've spent vast amounts of money on CD's and some merchandise over the past years since I vowed to stop downloading). Sure, having the CD itself beats having a downloaded file, but if the band gets absolutely nothing for it what's the point? Why should I push my budget to support a label that's ripping off a bunch of great guys/girls making great music?

 

[MetalCrypt]

Well, sales may determine whether the band goes on tour or not, so this doesn't condone downloading music.  They can also get dropped by their label, and little sales may mean they'd have problems getting signed elsewhere.  Many bands don't want to do it all themselves and want a label to help with some of the stuff.

[MetalCrypt]

Somewhat related subject: http://www.zeropaid.com/news/89911/uk-royalty-group-wants-piracy-cap-and-trade-isp-levy/

[Master Cthulhu]

Sometimes I just feel like downloading something and then mailing the band my $10 

Usually I try to buy stuff directly from the band, if possible.

[Sargon the Terrible]

Well, sales may determine whether the band goes on tour or not, so this doesn't condone downloading music.  They can also get dropped by their label, and little sales may mean they'd have problems getting signed elsewhere.  Many bands don't want to do it all themselves and want a label to help with some of the stuff.

Plus smaller labels may not have contracts as rapacious as big ones.  Remember, almost no metal bands are on RIAA labels.