I think imo there is 2 sides to it

Yes, artists have gained more recognition from mp3s, and a lot of people without them would be stuck listening to the cd's put out by the 'big' companies full of manufactured shite

BUT - Like Airwaves album, maybe hewas foolish for it to get out how it did, im not sure on full circumstances, but it seems that artists who in the past praised mp3 for helping them, and now turning their back on them, for example, Airbase tommie, Jezper, would not be who he is without mp3, and a lot of other artists, maybe flutlicht, shokk etc

When i first got the net, a lot were unheard of, but some compilations were ok, now they're full of shit and not worth buying most of them.

As for labels, its upsetting to see them go, but maybe they have planned badly financially, and are using the mp3 angle as a scapegoat, I guess we'll never know, but one thing is that labels had a chance 4 or 5 years ago to utilise mp3s themselves, and if they had distributed them for small fees, like 1 Euro/Dollar per mp3, I'd be happy to pay if i knew the money went back to the artists, and not to the label executives.

Then you have the RIAA who seem to do everything in their power to help themselves to huge profits, but where are they helping smaller labels, its like a monopoly, and an unfair one at that, and maybe this needs to be broken down to reduce their power, and to make things easier, esp for the remaining dance labels

the problem is they have been doing too many releases, turning themselves into an industry that has to generate superior amounts of return from investment , , more releases = more thing to buy but seeing the overall purchase of vinyl has not gone up they cannot possibly be financially fulfilled

...law of nature -- Survival of the Fittest. To do so, one (in this case, a label) must adapt to the changing environment. You want to run a business? You need to assess various factors to get to the bottom line -- PROFIT. Blaming it on MP3s, when they are giving the labels free exposure, without the need for RADIOS, is just plain retarded. People WILL pay to hear music...they have in the past and they will in the future. Thinking of ways that the people may enjoy the music is where the money is to be had. Bleh...whatever


R I P -- Lightning Records

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looped in sequence

• Andain - Promise
  
• Adrian Lux - Can't Sleep
  
• Benjamin Francis Leftwich - See You
  
• Company of Thieves - Even In The Dark
  

quote:

Originally posted by tranceman78 that's so sad, but it reflects the state of the industry.

it's a good possibility

One of my all-time favorite label is gone. This is a sad day for me.

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when there's no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth

quote:

Originally posted by torontotrance Let's put it this way tommie. If mp3's did not exist, where would armin, tiesto, ferry, sander kleinenberg, mike and lolo be in north america. It's nice that you put the blame 100% on mp3's which is totally false. Mp3's may have had something to do with it but afterall, the ppl who buy vinyl are going to continue to buy vinyl and I sense that it was more bad business decisions adding to the mix. Let's see, fire and ice, mike and lolo always sold well but it was the other releases that hurt them because hardly anyone wanted to buy them. Keep going on about mp3's....maybe someone might listen to you. What about your buddy airbase, if mp3's did not exist he would not be where he is today?. Same problem is with the big labels because they spend so much time fighting piracy, they forget to correctly market and promote their releases. Did Lightning realize that their target market changed...did they do anything to correct change their market strategy...i better stop now....this is all probably over your head.

theres so many holes in this arguement. dont start critisizing labels, majors, indies or lightning about how they promote or market their product in these times where i can assure you that even the biggest trance releases are not selling well. the european market is a lot different from north america and canada so what knowledge/experience do you have of it?

I'm in business...so I'm more than qualified to say that because I understand far better than others. My problem is that you place the blame squarly on 1 thing when it was probably one of the many problems. Music Industry as a whole does not want to change and get with the times and that's one of the things that is hurting them. Markets change over yrs and you need to keep current and other factors change that you need to be aware of.

OMFG, WTF!? labels close all the time, the artists will find instant new homes, its not the end of the world. and toronto, you appear to be babbling the same line over and over. more than qualified? dosent sound like it mate, waht is your supposed position in the business? or did you mean business as in business studies not the industry itself?!

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quote:

Originally posted by torontotrance I'm in business...so I'm more than qualified to say that because I understand far better than others. My problem is that you place the blame squarly on 1 thing when it was probably one of the many problems. Music Industry as a whole does not want to change and get with the times and that's one of the things that is hurting them. Markets change over yrs and you need to keep current and other factors change that you need to be aware of.

dont apply general business theories to the music industry my friend, its that sort of thinking that has contributed to its recent demise. too many loose cheque books and signings and releases based on sales figures rather than building talent. but i do agree that the blame should certainly not lie directly with mp3s, lots of factors contribute. mp3s is an easy target which has proven to be beneficial in spreading the word and detrimental in decreasing demand of saleable product. if there can be a way in which the two can work together then everyone would be happy.

lots of labels have 'got with the times' a long time back but what can you do about your product being given away for free? at least the labels and artists should be allowed the authority to control the free music, but no, generally people demand it right here, right now as if they have a right to it. the artist makes an amazing tune and makes a statement against its spreading on mp3 and the leecher says 'fine...but f*ck you, i have the right to listen to whatever i want. you have got enough promotion from mp3' this happens until there is no more music to mp3 and then they say 'thats that' and move onto to leech something else. its human nature to be selfish and greedy at times although you could say that the artist could live off PAs that are promoted through the spread of mp3s and just make his music for free....not sure about this.

i would hope that the lightning situation would make some people have a good long think about the knock on effects of mp3 even if it isnt directly the cause of their downfall. listen to what the artists are saying (marco v, mike, dj fire, steve helstrip) and take notice.

quote:

Originally posted by tommie It's confirmed, statement by Jurgen Leyers avail here, http://trance.nu/v3/news_show.php?id=1508 Congrats mp3 rippers, you just fucked up one of our scenes most respectable label.

haha, ive said it before and i'll say it again:

bonzai/lightining wud sell nowhere near as many records without mp3 that is a fact mate.

when was the last time u heard a bonzai tune on the radio and thought, "ill buy that"?

now think the same with mp3

case dismissed, dont bite the hand that feeds u

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quote:

dont apply general business theories to the music industry my friend, its that sort of thinking that has contributed to its recent demise. too many loose cheque books and signings and releases based on sales figures rather than building talent. but i do agree that the blame should certainly not lie directly with mp3s, lots of factors contribute. mp3s is an easy target which has proven to be beneficial in spreading the word and detrimental in decreasing demand of saleable product. if there can be a way in which the two can work together then everyone would be happy.

actually business theories can apply and should apply to business situations but I'm using business knowledge..no fucking theories. Bottom line...they are bankrupt...what caused it...a number of factors...mp3's, bad mgt, not completely in tune with market and other shit. I do agree with you that people need to go out and buy cd's but I do understand that the price is hurting some ppl who want to buy more but can't. Now I'm not saying that is a reasonable excuse to download albums, personally I say go look in used cd stores. You find amazing albums all the time and normally your friends hear you play it in the car and someone's house and go out and buy it for themselves. Personally I don't download albums and I own too many cd's (space is running out...rofl)....i bought gu012 and gu018 on monday morning for 37 at some used cd store. Friend of mine liked gu012 so much..he went out and bought it himself. Support artists, buy cd's.