Rolling Stone
The Record Industry's Decline
Record sales are tanking, and there's no hope in sight: How it all went wrong

By Brian Hiatt and Evan Serpick
Posted Jun 19, 2007 2:29 PM

This is the first part of a two-part series on the decline of the record industry. Today we're including Brian Hiatt and Evan Serpick's report on where the music business went wrong, from the current issue of Rolling Stone, as well as an interactive graphic illustrating the industry's slide. Tomorrow, check back with RollingStone.com for interviews with industry leaders on the future of the music business.

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/st...strys_decline/1

quote:

"A lot of people say, 'The labels were dinosaurs and idiots, and what was the matter with them?' But they had retailers telling them, 'You better not sell anything online cheaper than in a store,' and they had artists saying, 'Don't screw up my Wal-Mart sales.' " Adds Jim Guerinot, who manages Nine Inch Nails and Gwen Stefani, "Innovation meant cannibalizing their core business."

that's a good point.

___________________
http://www.beatport.com/jonathan-rosa/

When they say the "record" industry they are speaking of CDs right? When I think of record I think of the 12inch but that was gone a long time ago from the mainstream music industry. I'm confused

quote:

Originally posted by SuperJimbo Rolling Stone The Record Industry's Decline Record sales are tanking, and there's no hope in sight: How it all went wrong By Brian Hiatt and Evan Serpick Posted Jun 19, 2007 2:29 PM This is the first part of a two-part series on the decline of the record industry. Today we're including Brian Hiatt and Evan Serpick's report on where the music business went wrong, from the current issue of Rolling Stone, as well as an interactive graphic illustrating the industry's slide. Tomorrow, check back with RollingStone.com for interviews with industry leaders on the future of the music business. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/st...strys_decline/1

___________________
Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music.

by "record" industry, they're referring to general music sales... and obviously not 12" records, because as u mentioned its been out of the mainstream for ages.

its basic deducive reasoning.

___________________
-M2J

For set downloads, event details and radio schedule visit:
http://www.vitalevents.net/

Which is why they shouldn't call it the record industry

___________________
Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music.

...and...I'm confused as to why I should care about CD sales *stab at mainstream culture*

hee hee

___________________
Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music.

interesting read. It's no surprise really. The MP3 and Napster destroyed the music industry.

___________________
This is trance...
Jose Amnesia - The Eternal (Pulser Remix) / Chicane - Saltwater / Photon Project - Illumination / Gouryella - Tenshi / Altitude - Altitude (SHOKK Remix) / Rank 1 - Airwave / The Thrillseekers - Synaesthesia (En Motion Mix)

quote:

Originally posted by LittlePoonzgirl ...and...I'm confused as to why I should care about CD sales *stab at mainstream culture* hee hee

actually its a stab at underground culture. The lesser known groups are feeling the fianacial pinch the most. Its harder for them to sign and get distribution and it's almost impossible for them to make a living in music.

The blockbusters essentially used to subsidize the upstarts. Such is not the case anymore.

And I dont buy the idea of "the internet helps these bands out by exposing them more". They may be more exposed but that doesnt help when most of the new fans go out and steal their music anyways.

Bottom line... people need to start BUYING music again whether its online, CDs or records. I would prefer to see people buy physical hard copies as this adds much more intrinsic value to music than a deletable invisable MP3 file ever could. However, even paying $1-2 a song online will help tremendously.

I can already tell you that a lot of electronic music has NOT been made because it has been economically unviable. Either labels have rejected the idea, or the artists themselves have retired due to lack of monetary resources and incentive whereas in the past they would have made a comfortable living at it.

PS: personally i miss compilations. It was always cool to have your pick of literally 20 new comps released that same week. Its sad to see so many record stores closing. They used to be the gathering point for music culture no matter the genre.

quote:

Originally posted by LittlePoonzgirl Which is why they shouldn't call it the record industry

recorded music ---> record industry.

___________________
-M2J

For set downloads, event details and radio schedule visit:
http://www.vitalevents.net/

I suppose I wasn't thinking about bands, it would suck for them no doubt. But, most DJs I know either buy the record or the mp3 (usually the record). The only way a decline of CDs has caused a problem for them is selling their own mixes...but that pretty much stopped a long while ago. Most (if not all) lesser known local DJs in the underground scene will give out their mixes for free now. So for them I suppose this is old news. As for the producers, releases are on either vinyl or mp3 and I'm not sure if they released many singles on CD before.

It's always been hard to make a living in underground music (unless you hit it lucky with timing and trends). That's why most people don't do it. Shame.

quote:

Originally posted by Jayx1 actually its a stab at underground culture. The lesser known groups are feeling the fianacial pinch the most. Its harder for them to sign and get distribution and it's almost impossible for them to make a living in music. The blockbusters essentially used to subsidize the upstarts. Such is not the case anymore. And I dont buy the idea of "the internet helps these bands out by exposing them more". They may be more exposed but that doesnt help when most of the new fans go out and steal their music anyways. Bottom line... people need to start BUYING music again whether its online, CDs or records. I would prefer to see people buy physical hard copies as this adds much more intrinsic value to music than a deletable invisable MP3 file ever could. However, even paying $1-2 a song online will help tremendously. I can already tell you that a lot of electronic music has NOT been made because it has been economically unviable. Either labels have rejected the idea, or the artists themselves have retired due to lack of monetary resources and incentive whereas in the past they would have made a comfortable living at it.

___________________
Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music.

quote:

Originally posted by LittlePoonzgirl But, most DJs I know either buy the record or the mp3 (usually the record). The only way a decline of CDs has caused a problem for them is selling their own mixes...

djs play music made by producers.
people steal the music.
producers don't make money, and thus can't afford to or is not beneficial to make more music.
that is bad.

less new music = less music to spin = less need for djs.


EDIT: and yea, most djs buy their music. but i think what Jay is saying is that more people need to buy music, and support the producers. Only djs purchasing + supporting underground music is not enough.

___________________
-M2J

For set downloads, event details and radio schedule visit:
http://www.vitalevents.net/

Last edited by m2j on Jun-25-2007 at 07:21