Quote:
Originally Posted by TheBang
But Underworld have always been pioneers of the "never done before". They were letting you download Kittens online before Napster was even a word. They released a cutting-edge, forward-thinking live concert DVD (there's a great article about that here).
And it's definitely a plan to get around the problem of illegal downloads. The old way of the music industry is broken. Album, single, tour, album, single, tour ain't gonna cut it anymore. In the online digital age you have to get creative with the way you market, release, and monetize your music. Underworld have already taken steps towards that with they way they've released their music online for purchase and through their website and radio shows.
My musings above were borne out of the thought of how to do an album release in the current music industry climate. The "free album" thing has been done to death already, from Radiohead to Nine Inch Nails. They released albums for little to no charge and then later monetized it with a physical release or even super-deluxe-packaging releases. So, in thinking about how to do it differently, I figured why not combine the paid release with the free stuff. You have the standard album release, but now you have even more! New, free stuff. Stuff packaged differently and distributed in a way that wouldn't make sense in a physical package, yet complements or extends the original physical release. The online RiverRun EP's, of course, fit this bill perfectly, so it just made sense to combine it in some way with a physical album. |
Dang i knew it would come across that way as i was writing the very words "never done before".... Of course UW are pioneers of nearly everything they do. And their artistic statements all the way from the 80's and Dubnobas in the 90's to the Art Jams of the last two years...they are essentially avant-gard. And i completely agree with that...
..i would like to retract any sentiment in my last post that should suggest otherwise!! . .... (just to get that straight! haha
)
So i guess i should explain myself a little more clearly!
What i was trying to get at is the quality that UW and Tomato have as a collective who are more concerned with their Art and who it effects rather than the fame glory and outrageous publicity. (Because that was clearly achieved and left aside in the Freur and UW#1 days). They have always chosen the path that led them more towards their personal goals regardless of the financial benefits... of course everyone needs to make a living but it seems the music they make happens to also be extremely popular and freakin incredible - thus they make money regardless.
If they were to do something like you suggested, and i think its a real nice idea!!!, i just hope and pray that it would not result in distracting media promotion of and idea rather than the more important promotion of the music and the art work behind the marketing strategy.
Do you want the album to be remembered for its music or for the way it was sold?
I think the music is more important don't you?
So if this strategy was to be used i think they would need to work long and hard in making sure it doesnt overshadow the art itself.
phew! just need to clear my case there haha