Popular music is on the radio to be listened to for free. Popular music is, by definition, a low value commodity. Progressive (maybe "independent") music can have a higher value, but will have a lower install base. If music is meant to be widely distributed, it IS a commodity. There is rare/special music that people are willing to pay a huge amount for, but not a huge amount of people would do so.
Wide distribution at a low cost, or high cost with a low install base. Those are the options. I think putting a record in Wal-Mart or on the radio causes it to lose its specialness. "Special" is not what popular music is about.
Comments
Popular music is on the radio to be listened to for free. Popular music is, by definition, a low value commodity. Progressive (maybe "independent") music can have a higher value, but will have a lower install base. If music is meant to be widely distributed, it IS a commodity. There is rare/special music that people are willing to pay a huge amount for, but not a huge amount of people would do so.
Wide distribution at a low cost, or high cost with a low install base. Those are the options. I think putting a record in Wal-Mart or on the radio causes it to lose its specialness. "Special" is not what popular music is about.