If you didn’t know what it takes to make money in the music industry…keep this in mind..
An artist on a major label needs to sell 500,000 to a million copies to brake even with the typical recording contract. Its pretty gross. There are many articles explaining this on the internet(producer Steve Albini’s “They Problem with Music” essay is a good one). Recording costs, producer costs, distribution, the huge cut the record company takes usually, management, music video and lawyers usually leave no money for the artist. The music industry does make a lot of money but not the artists. Sad. If you don’t sell that much you end up owing the record company lots of money, they won’t make another album for you and you won’t(generally) be able to record again..because your under contract with the record company. Most bands/artists means that’s the end of your career. Fun…huh?

Now take online places like Cdbaby…that independent artists can sell their stuff. CD baby keeps 4 bucks on a physical unit and only about 9% for a down loaded albums.

So with my new album. I recorded, produced and mastered it myself. I copyrighted it, Got Ascap publishing and IRSC codes myself. I have no record company, manager, A&R reps, recording studios, distribution company and such to pay. That means I would need to sell about 100-150 units to start breaking even. Anything after that and I would be making more money than your typical gold/platinum artist.

So if you do buy music…take a chance on internet sites…listen to the music and buy the stuff you like from them. You’ll be doing artists a great service and you’ll be using your economic power to change this pretty oppressive industry.