Quote:
Originally Posted by LoathsomePete
Physical copies already are generally expensive and have been for a long time. If you're given the option to pay $18 for a CD where the band only sees maybe a dollar with the rest being split between the distributor and the record label to recoup the cost of recording the album versus doing a Google search and finding it for free, what would you do?
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The way I see it bands will soon use albums exclusively as promotion vehicles for their tours. You might start seeing more and more independently released albums, or just albums available as streams or free downloads via band websites. The blogosphere will explode, the pay-per-download market will diminish (it hasn't shown signs yet) and the music retailer will fade out of public awareness.
It's not an attractive prospect but I really think we are closing down on the last days of physical media for indie retailers. And it's well past closing time for the FYEs of this universe, too.
As bad as this sounds, this wanton destruction might be somewhat advantageous for indie retailers. It might be the incentive the RIAA needs to pull their heads out of their respective asses and renegotiate contracts with big-box retailers.