The way music gets to consumers has changed so much, reshaping the music industry to a large extent. Techonology has presented many ways for us to obtain music through copying, sharing and downloading - among other means. Record stores have dwindled significantly. Artists face new challenges in order to survive in the business. Independent artists are emerging stronger than before and competing head-on with artists who have labels.
To recapture the market, companies have had the sense to venture into online sales, even making songs available individually and earning by the cent. In Singapore however, the laws governing music distribution are slightly complicated. We aren't able to download from iTunes or Amazon.com. I hadn't even noticed until recently. Because if I wanted to listen to a song, I would simply hop on to YouTube, even if I had it on CD. YouTube is just that much more convenient.
In some form or other, I'm sure we're all aware of these changes. They've actually prompted me into some action. I recently walked by a CD shop and thought how sad it would be if none existed anymore. To me, browsing in a store is a much richer experience than browsing online. Five CDs caught my eye (Glee volumes 1 and 2, Adam Lambert, Kris Allen, Beyonce). I had been entertained by their music but hadn't paid a cent in show of support. It was time. I also picked up Madonna's latest compilation even though I already had most of her music on CD. I paid for the music knowing I was keeping my favourite artists alive and ensuring that one music store would last that much longer.
The way music gets to consumers has changed so much, reshaping the music industry to a large extent. Techonology has presented many ways for us to obtain music through copying, sharing and downloading - among other means. Record stores have dwindled significantly. Artists face new challenges in order to survive in the business. Independent artists are emerging stronger than before and competing head-on with artists who have labels.
To recapture the market, companies have had the sense to venture into online sales, even making songs available individually and earning by the cent. In Singapore however, the laws governing music distribution are slightly complicated. We aren't able to download from iTunes or Amazon.com. I hadn't even noticed until recently. Because if I wanted to listen to a song, I would simply hop on to YouTube, even if I had it on CD. YouTube is just that much more convenient.
In some form or other, I'm sure we're all aware of these changes. They've actually prompted me into some action. I recently walked by a CD shop and thought how sad it would be if none existed anymore. To me, browsing in a store is a much richer experience than browsing online. Five CDs caught my eye (Glee volumes 1 and 2, Adam Lambert, Kris Allen, Beyonce). I had been entertained by their music but hadn't paid a cent in show of support. It was time. I also picked up Madonna's latest compilation even though I already had most of her music on CD. I paid for the music knowing I was keeping my favourite artists alive and ensuring that one music store would last that much longer.
Posts
