Post with 9 notes
What is the value of music?
Simple. It’s love.
I make music because I love it. Because I have to. (Though I have to be smart about what a project may cost, I just don’t — can’t — think about ROI. Art and net profit are forever uncoupled in my mind.)
The act of creation is complete. It is a choice — or rather, a decision.
So having produced my work (in this case, a wonderful new EP) what’s it “worth” in the marketplace? In a world of digital, (almost) frictionless distribution, where the incremental value of delivery is negligible, it’s not irrational to say that in ways both material and spiritual, a work’s “worth” — its value — can only determined by He Or She Who Listens. (Like the tree falling in the forest.)
Maybe that’s why it’s called a “release.”
It’s so abundantly, resoundingly, refreshingly clear that the music “business” is over. There is no “business” — as in an organized, semi-coherent, regulated product flow — anymore. Which means it’s the people left standing who will make the rules. That would be Us.
And rules created by volition are ever so much more exciting. Not to say rational. Not to say, abundant. Because, as with supply and demand, there IS an equilibrium point here. But unlike with supply and demand, that equilibrium is determined on an individual basis.
So I’ve made a decision to release ALL of my digital records on a completely open, you-decide-the-value basis. I happen to think that’s the economic model of the future. And I embrace it.
I welcome your thoughts. Are you a musician? A music lover who buys online? How do you feel about this way of approaching the “value” of music?
Photo reblogged from Blogging Is Overrated with 15,250 notes
(by Robert J. Caputo)
Source: Flickr / rjcaputophotography
Page 2 of 2
