Some people have asked me why I post so much about artist rights, copyright, the loss of income from recorded music caused by piracy, streaming, etc, and all the issues surrounding it. Here is a breakdown of my motivations:
- Since piracy sites are ad-supported, this means someone is making money from it. So, the sites themselves are making bank, and, of course, Google. If nobody was making money at all, that would be a different story.
- Streaming is happening - the clock can't be turned back on that. However, we still have time to figure out a way artists can get an equitable slice of the pie, so I feel like we need to keep talking about it.
- It costs money to make music. Musicians still need to buy and maintain their instruments, and even if you do all your recordings at home, you still need to buy the gear, plus there are still other costs, such as publicity material, etc. Which brings me to:
- This has affected the entire eco-system, including studios, music retailers, live music venues, support industries such as band photographers, the music press, etc. Which brings me to:
- An entire segment of our population is being squeezed out of existence economically: musicians. Yet, people still want to listen to music. So, in effect, in our capitalist society, musicians are being asked to work for free. (In my mind, I have begun to call this "Musical Socialism.") Yet, musicians still have to pay their bills, rent, food, gas and upkeep for the tour bus, internet access, phone service to book gigs, student loans, etc.