news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8219652.stm
Seems that Mr Geffen's holiday with Peter Mandleson has really stirred it all up.
Surely this is not the way to go.
I remember HOME TAPING was said to kill music. Yet people had cassettes full of the Top 40 and still went out and brought the records.
Digital copies are obviously better - but most people are reasonably honest. Those under 20 are the ones who will be hit hardest by this idea. Which is unenforcable and just makes the Major Labels look more ridiculous.
The reason why sales have dropped is poor artists - not file sharing. When will they wake up and realise that signing exciting bands is what it is about.
In the UK there are several amazing bands who have not been signed by the majors - yet are streets ahead of the majors - here is a list.
IMPERIAL LEISURE - the best live band in the UK yet never recorded with enough money to match their ability. Would be massive.
THE WHYBIRDS - likely to be on a big USA label but in the UK not even on the radar of the majors - yet they could outsell nearly every indie act Worldwide with their next album.
MINUS IQ - brilliant young band. Fizzing songs and better than the La Rouxs and White Lies - by at least 100 times. Simply awesome band. Huge cult following both amongst kids but also within the industry. Should have been signed by now and out there. See them at Headliners Festival in September if you have not seen them before.
ELECTRIC RIVER - the press have gone crazy for this clash-eque band who have been described as the most pumped live act in the UK. When they go out as a 8 piece they are simply without peer. Huge sound and massive commercial songs. Supposedly at least 5 majors are about to get the chequebook out - but dont hold your breath because they are possibly too good to be signed !!!!
MESH 29 - this young band produced a stunning second album and had a Top 40 hit under their own steam. They have spawned two side projects ( THe Candlethieves and The Mismatch ) one of which is signed to Big Life. But their second album is one of the best albums in its genre. With a major behind them they would have outsold most indie acts that are out there and the general public would have got them as well. Since Coldplay and Snow Patrol.......
GARETH ICKE - his debut album has been Record of the Week on several commercial stations and been played daytime on Radio 2 and 6. Huge following for the guy around the UK who is one of the best songwriters to come forward in the UK in the last year. Should a major sign him ? well he is a cooler version of James Blunt and the sales would follow.
Perhaps all of these bands lack a manager who has "contacts" in the Major Labels. Or perhaps the Major Labels intentionally dont want to sign the best bands and lift the bar......
But to then go out there and fine kids for file sharing worthless musical pap is pretty bad. If it is worth something then people will pay for it. If it is worthless then they wont.
The Music Industry shot itself in the foot over Napster and has continued shooting ever since.
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