I NEED SUGAR

It's such a treat to read an article like this where we see a dying industry model and the players within it reacting in away that brings more money to the creatives that drive the industry.

Specifically, the Times UK is showing that, while record label's massive revenues are down, we're seeing an uptick in artist profits.

I'm fairly certain I buy primarily non-major-label music (though with distribution agreements, etc, it's sometimes hard to tell) and sometimes I purchase directly from artists, circumventing labels and distribution altogether. And these numbers lead me to believe this is a growing trend, which is a great thing. It helps keep everyone honest, from the label, to the distributor, to the retail outlet. 

There needs to be perceived value all the way down the line if artists have direct access to distribution, marketing and, by extension, their fans. Particularly with the increasing incentives artists are offering directly to their fans, whether through custom packages, recording and touring support, limited editions, or other unique and targeted methods of distribution. And the more exploration artists do in these areas, the better off they'll be, with more control over not just their music, but in all ways they reach their fans. 

Bands have never been more connected to their fans, or had a better opportunity to reach new fans. Now more than ever is the time to get creative and not fight through the machinations of a dying industry model like the one the record labels are trying to ram down our throats by treating fans like criminals.

And with the adoption of Twitter and other online communication tools, now you've got both a constant between release connection to your fans plus hyper local contact, making it all the more easy to request support, mobilize around a tour, or just keep people engaged in your and your art.

So, here's to music and the innovation that comes when a lazy industry gets rocked out of their complacency.