Ahoy!
Last week we began a discussion about the different aspects
of streaming music. Once we take money out of the equation we
are left with a few positive reasons for artists to use streaming services, namely
that artists no longer need a label to produce and release their content. Today, we’re going to look at a few more positives.
All artists now have a level playing field. For just $10 a month, I can listen to as much music as
possible. This means that I, the consumer, can listen to WAY more albums than people could twenty years ago. As a musician it is imperative to be listening to as much
music as possible from many different genres (more on the necessity for a musically diverse record collection later). Before
streaming services your average listener only bought records from artists
they heard on the radio. This was for two reasons: 1) aside from your own local
music scene there was no way of knowing about artists other than on the radio/TV
and 2) your average listener wasn’t going to pay for a record from someone they
didn’t know. Avid music listeners would often have to buy albums with very
little information and hope it was good. That process is now streamlined.
I would consider myself an avid listener. I try to listen to
one new album every day (yes, I do mean the full album). There is no way I
could pay for all the music I consume nor would I even be interested in certain genres
of music if it weren’t for the ability to just click “Add Album.” Some of my
favorite artists have come from a random search I did or a related artist I
may not have otherwise checked out. As a bass player who performs with bands of many styles, having easy access to music of all genres is an
invaluable tool. At the click of a button I can learn a band's album and check out similar music in order to really get inside the genre. Streaming allows me to genre hop in my
listening which in turn makes me a better performer.
If I consume so much music, shouldn’t I feel compelled to
pay for it? Yes and no. I don’t feel directly compelled to pay for the album
itself. Many artists today, Janek Gwizdala for example, typically release their albums for free and allow consumers to pay what they want for the
album. I make sure to go see the artists live when they’re near
me, buy a physical CD at the show (usually so the artists can sign it), and
possibly buy some merchandise. These after show meet and greets between the artists and their fans are vital to the overall musical experience. They afford a much more personal connection than you get with mega stars. In
the case of Janek, I also own several books and other resources he’s released.
In this modern era there are many ways to support an artist.
We as musicians need to shift our thinking in regards to recorded music. Recordings are
no longer the ends but the means. It used to be that the album was the item promoted by tours and interviews. The game has now flipped and albums are the
promotion tool to get people in the door. With this adjustment in mind
the music industry is as strong and thriving as ever.
Next week we'll wrap up the streaming discussion by looking at its negative aspects.
Until next time,
Heard
Heard
HAVE YOU HEARD?
Becca Stevens- All of her Albums
I genuinely could not choose just one Becca Stevens album to review. To date she has four albums under her name and each provides a unique listening experience. Tea By Sea is perhaps the most dense and requires the average listener to stretch the most. Featuring uncommon vocal harmonies, this album draws the heaviest of the jazz influence of each of the band members. Weightless is the most rooted in the folk tradition of her albums and was recorded with the intention of sounding exactly like the live show (no/few overdubs). Perfect Animals is similar to the previous album with the exception that now Becca and crew take advantage of studio overdubs and begin to add some electric instruments to the line up. Her latest release, Regina, which came out in March 2017, is the first under her own name (previous albums were under Becca Stevens Band). While still grounded in her unique singer songwriter style, this is her most produced album and features a much more electronic sound. I highly recommend checking out one, if not all, of her albums.
I genuinely could not choose just one Becca Stevens album to review. To date she has four albums under her name and each provides a unique listening experience. Tea By Sea is perhaps the most dense and requires the average listener to stretch the most. Featuring uncommon vocal harmonies, this album draws the heaviest of the jazz influence of each of the band members. Weightless is the most rooted in the folk tradition of her albums and was recorded with the intention of sounding exactly like the live show (no/few overdubs). Perfect Animals is similar to the previous album with the exception that now Becca and crew take advantage of studio overdubs and begin to add some electric instruments to the line up. Her latest release, Regina, which came out in March 2017, is the first under her own name (previous albums were under Becca Stevens Band). While still grounded in her unique singer songwriter style, this is her most produced album and features a much more electronic sound. I highly recommend checking out one, if not all, of her albums.
Comments
Post a Comment