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It's a pretty pertinant point for me, because I am nearly finished producing an album I have poured time; physical, emotional and creative energy; ideas, sounds and performances into. It comes at physical, emotional and creative cost. I work on this at the expense of my own artist projects.
Yet people here would say some of those songs are "crap" and use that to justify stealing the product. I labour with care over every note on every instrument on every song, so that it fits together in the context of an album, yet some couldn't care about the album itself as an artform.
I will not be perfoming this live. I am the producer not the artist. I will not be getting money if the songs go on radio. I am not the songwriter. The sole way I - who have worked longer and played more instruments on it than any other contributor to the music, (including the artist) - will see compensation for my ideas, time and energy is through CD sales.
There is no advance to pay back. No record company taking royalties. (Though I wish a record company had paid for it)
Yet the callous disregard for my livelihood and one of the things I value most in life. The thing which sustains me physically and emotionally, is treated with contempt, disregard and disdain.
It simply makes me want simply say "■■■■ you", but that would be a flame.
I cannot express how hurt I am that someone who considers themself a "fan" of music, can possibly download and then forward on music. I cannot understand the attitudes of people in the anti-RIAA threads that have links in this thread for example. I cannot come to terms with the ignorance that perpetuates this entire thing.
I do apologise for the length of replies, the tone of my writing, the attitude and everything else, but I am at my wits end regarding it. To simply survive mentally as an artist, I had to resign myself to the fact the days of seeing money from CD album sales are nearly gone, so I may as well look for other avenues of musical income. Yet, making albums is so fulfilling. It is part of what drives me as a creative being.
To simply find the mental energy to finish this CD has been a task in itself, given the prospective removal of a key motivational driving force - return. I have to keep telling myself "It's not about the money". And it's not. Never was. Still makes it difficult losing that motivating factor though.
Throw in the fact that an apparent MAJORITY of people who consume music, fileshare - including good r/l friends of mine (who will stay friends of course)... and I am at a loss. People simply don't care, and as evident from this thread, get indignant and angry when told an artists perspective.
I don't know what else to say. You've simply been listening to the ravings of a man who's been kicked in the guts.
Sorry if it offended.
See ya
Hugh
[ 02-14-2004, 05:39 AM: Message edited by: Yorick ]
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