good note. We always like to see friends sharing good music with each other. I will pass it along to the band as well, but I thought that I would answer as they are in Alaska right now and web connectivity can be an issue. I am the band’s manager. I hear what you are saying. It is a dilemma. CDs are miserable, I too can’t wait to rip them and get them on the computer/iPod I was just speaking with my friend how I am excited for the day when I can take the several thousand CDs I have and stick them in the garage never to touch them again.

The easiest answer to your question is the most direct thing you can do to support virtually any band is to buy merchandise directly from the band. It does not matter whether it is clothing, stickers, CDs, etc. The band will get a good percentage of that purchase.

Live shows are another great way to support bands. It is important to keep in mind though that most often the support bands on the shows are getting paid a flat amount no matter who enters the venue. It is the headliner who makes more money when the show sells out. Rarely does that trickle down.

True many record labels are “dirty” but that should not be the concern of the fans and consumer. Bands sign record deals with labels with their eyes open, fully knowing the pitfalls, that is their choice. Bands have to make their own decision and live with the ramifications of those decisions. There are many reasons they will make that decision to sign with a record label and it is usually based on necessity and the record label fills that need by providing some financial backing for recording, marketing, and distribution.

It is more difficult then ever to become a successful artist. I guess it is important to define what we mean by successful. We are not defining success as millions of records sold, or fancy cars, or super model girlfriends. We define success as the ability to continue practicing your art freely as you see fit without the concern of where your next meal is going to come from. Artists should be allowed to make their art their profession without the distraction of that job bartending or waiting tables.

…back to my point. It is harder then ever to become a successful artist because of several reasons. First is the overwhelming amount of schlock that is forced fed to the American consumer as “music” has about as much artistic integrity as salad bar and the sheer numbers in which seem to get released every week. Second the ways in which an artist can actually make money are getting fewer and fewer, and lastly and to me most importantly is that true art takes time. True art is rarely universally embraced on its first go around. To me art is something that provokes emotion and thought and makes me look and think at things differently. That can be uncomfortable and that can take time to truly understand and appreciate. Today’s artist are rarely afforded the the opportunity to develop. When you consider the greats of music, literature, paintings, architecture, or any art form it is rare the the greats are embraced immediately.

Sorry for the extended commentary, but you did it right. You supported the art. Now go tell some more friends about your favorite records of the year.

Best Regards

Rich