So this weeks article is titled "Days of the Leak" and it's not talking about ceilings! No, it's talking about music being leaked before the initial release date. Nowadays, there is no such thing as a album that can't be heard before its release date. Absolutely everything leaks sooner or later. The question is when, how, and what does this mean for the music businesses sake? The truth is, virtually 100% of the time, if someone wants to hear a song they will be able to obtain a free copy of it somehow. And the sad part is, and I quote "No matter how many download attempts they foil, content-protection services act as little more than speed bumps."
So, how exactly does a record get leaked?
- At the studio (leaked a whole four months before scheduled release date!)
- At the label (three & a half months)
- By the press (this is the most common; three months)
- At the plant (one month)
- At the warehouse (two weeks)
- And then there's the actual retail where it becomes available to everyone else who didn't get the early leak.
Okay, so now that I've established that leaks happen, regardless, is it actually a bad thing? The answer may be no! The industry is freaking out over this phenomenon, but is it worth it? Take Linkin Park's latest Minutes to Midnight for an example. It was leaked 11 days early and sold 623,00 copies in the first week! The question remains, would that number have been different if it had leaked earlier, and would it have been higher or lower? This is the great debate that has everyone on edge.
Most artists rely on the boost they get from reviews to influence better record sales, but could these positive reviews come from leaks as well as magazines? Today there are hundreds of blogs, bulletin boards, livejournals and such devoted to posting the latest downloaded cites to leaked albums, and could they be helping the music business more than they hurt it? Some insist a leak is only going to hurt if the record is bad. Leaks get people talking about the album and if it's good more people are going to buy it. It's like getting those awesome free samples at Wal-Mart, you don't want to buy the product it you're not sure it's good first, and if it is you'll most likely end up buying the product you sampled. Leaks also cut back on the money spent to promote the music, 'cause it's already out there.
The days where nobody could hear a record until it's release date are over, and it's time we all realize this. Besides, even if the culprits are found, nothing much can be done to stop them. I quote "It's not like we're gonna hunt that person down and give him 50 lashes."(I just threw that in because I found it amusing!) In fact they would be sent a "sternly worded e-mail" or at most have to "write a letter of apology". OOOOWWWW! That's horrible, a letter!!!!!!! The deadly, attack of the English assignment, that will show them!
So, in conclusion, labels should just go with it, and use it to their advantage. Bands should learn to embrace it instead of going out of their way and wasting their time trying to stop people from hearing their music. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!!!!!!
I got this awesome article out of the August 2007 issue of Spin if you're interested. It's not exactly educational, but if you love music and music related articles this is the magazine for you! Thank you, and good night! =D
"If the whole world's singing your songs, and all of your paintings have been hung, just remember what was yours is everyone's from now on, and that's not wrong or right, but you can struggle with it all you like, you'll only get uptight." -Jeff Tweedy(Wilco)
6 comments:
I don't think I've ever bought an album (besides Zeppelin). It's way too easy to find free music. I think album leaks are the best part of an internet connection. Why buy a disc full of crap when you can hit 12 keys and listen to it before illegally downloading it for free? See the logic. I honestly don't know how these artists stay out of the water. They make most of their money from endorsements and tours I guess. Superfans might buy the albums. I guess technology really screwed musicians, but it makes my life alot easier.
saturday is going to be so much fun. i will no longer be posting comments containing curse words.
HEY. I read something about this in the Bible.
I mean, Spin Magazine. :D
that is all. spin magazine pwns my face off. yes, OFF.
god, i'm so happy and hyper right now.
oh.
you said that at the end of the article.
i am not blind.
Well...yeah. I don't really have much to say.
How about...I love Spin?
Yes Lyndsay, it is the bible. I am Jesus. Spin is the bible. Welcome to my world.
I feel like I'm committing a major crime when I illegally download leaked music so I don't do it. I have friends who do it for me. Besides, it feels great when you first buy that CD from the store, it's like a high. Of course, that's just me and we all know that I am like a super stick the rules orthodox child. Yes I am a teenager, but sometimes I think I'm a reincarnation of Marie Curie. Only this time, I know that radiation WILL KILL ME. I won't make the same mistake and again especially with that horrible husband of mine (not really.) I think this time around, I'll be a nun and focus only on success and in the meantime get on my friend's nerves with my super studious ways (not saying my friends aren't studious, but I'm pretty sure they'd agree I am ridiculous when it comes to schoolwork.) Anyway, Brittany I hope this comment was better than the ones you received earlier. Finally, my word verification code is ffzkz which sounds just like physics which for me, is pretty gosh darn (pardon my French) perfect.
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