Posts tagged music industry

It’s a rare occasion that I write about an article. Mainly because I find it to be redundant and overall pointless. People read articles to absorb information and form their own opinions about the given subject. But when it comes to pieces that try to give people a true glimpse of the music industry, I try to spread it around — because there’s a lot of things people don’t know. And when I saw this one posted on my friend and Drift Division drummer Corrado Rizzi’s wall, I had to take a stab at it.

AN ENDING FOR ENDERS

Alternative Press’s article “No Money, Mo’ Problems: Why Even Successful Bands Struggle Financially” follows the journey of Ace Enders as he begins to bow out of the independent music world. After the demise of his indie-pop troupe The Early November, Enders began his own project, I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business. His name didn’t do him justice. As he chugged on to “live the dream,” his touring and record sale profits never outnumbered the expenses, creating a financial mess of typical “starving artist” proportions. With a wife and young child, there’s only so long a man can put his dream above all else. On Dec. 21, Enders announced at his show in Teaneck’s Mexicali Live that it would be his last show until further notice.

This story is nothing new. Although the current economic status of our country isn’t the biggest help, the music industry has been hobbling around on its last leg for about a decade now. Torrents and download sites are replacing the record stores, and it seems like more people are looking to Youtube for their “live show experience” than the dive bars that many of us know and love.

However, this article hit me so hard because I was at the Mexicali that night. I saw the lighthearted boy get taken over by sheer gloom while he admitted that it was time to throw in the towel. It was evident and obvious that Enders was meant to be on stage. He had a sheer joy while performing that night, and had the stellar audience interaction to boot. So…why are talented, determined and somewhat successful people like Enders destined to suffer and quit their dreams for a life of monotony?

As AP’s article states, it depends on the artist. It depends on money spent on recording, touring, and designing and ordering merch. It also depends on the amount that other people spend. People meaning the fans. Sure, some people will pay 15 to 20 dollars to see a live performance. But will they buy a CD and/or merch too? This variable may seem small, but mixed with the number of expenses and “important people” to pay, it’s difficult for even the most successful artists, especially in the pop/punk/indie game, to make a substantial living. Say Anything’s Max Bemis, Eisley’s Sherry DuPree Bemis, and Thursday’s Geoff Rickley are examples of artists that were forced to work retail and other side projects to make a living.

THE GREAT SELL-OUT DEBATE

 Some of this year’s most beloved artists including the Black Keys and Vampire Weekend have developed publishing deals and plans to put their tracks in television commercials. Cue the “boo’s” from the peanut gallery. But in today’s industry, that is where the most money comes from and in essence, where the artist can get most control. They decide where their music goes, and they decide how much their music is worth (given the publishing deal they signed…but that’s another story). The Black Keys were nominated for six Grammy’s this year. Was it because their track was in a Zales jewelry commercial? Doubtful. In all actuality, it’s because they’re a talented group that pushed to the revive gritty swamp-rock sound that a lot of people were scared to touch. It’s really that simple!

At the end of the day, I can’t make anyone go to a concert, buy a T-shirt or an album. I may be the only one that salivates beyond control when I see a limited-edition tour poster for sale. But I know how there is nothing more perfect and indescribable than a good live show — and I know I’m not alone in this. Long story short, next show you go to, try and take the leap and buy a shirt or EP. You’d be surprised how much you’d be making their day.

I give endless amounts of credit to Rizzi and a number of my other friends that are fighting to keep their dream alive while striving to entertain anyone that will listen. There’s not only talent, but an unlimited amount of love and passion in every note sung and each snare hit. On that note (pun intended) the Drift Division EP is only 5 dollars! And you can download the Escape Directors’ debut album Ladders for free on their site.