the universe works on a math equation
that never even really ever ends in the end
-Neverending Math Equation, Modest Mouse
I'm in the process of trying to reacquire much of the music I lost when my computer *ahem* expired last December. It's bringing my ongoing internal debate re: music acquisition to the forefront. I've gone through many different stages and personally imposed rules about buying vs downloading (stealing) music since Napster first blew the doors open in 1999. Right now I'm on some combination of purchasing cd's, vinyl, mp3s and getting the same thing for free using bittorrents. I like to think I support the bands that need the help and that the amount I spend on albums and concert tickets is a more than ample contribution to the music industry.
Often, it's a pretty clear cut system. I bought the new Joel Plaskett and downloaded Abbey Road. Does Michael Jackson still get all the royalties from the sale of Beatles albums? Who knows-but you get the idea. It's getting more and more difficult, however, as I listen to more and more small Canadian bands. I just feel so guilty taking the music at will as these independent artists struggle to squeak by. On the other hand, there is no way my bank account could even remotely keep up to my listening habits. So should I just start listening to less new music? That seems kind of counter-productive.
I won't attempt to broach the whole vinyl vs. cd vs. mp3 debate as it's pretty irrational. I can't even fit my record player into my apartment, and I'm still tempted to buy vinyl. It's dumb, I know.
It will be interesting to see how/if the record companies figure out how to deal with P2P downloading. I personally don't think they will anytime soon, but who knows, they may solve this problem for me.
that never even really ever ends in the end
-Neverending Math Equation, Modest Mouse
I'm in the process of trying to reacquire much of the music I lost when my computer *ahem* expired last December. It's bringing my ongoing internal debate re: music acquisition to the forefront. I've gone through many different stages and personally imposed rules about buying vs downloading (stealing) music since Napster first blew the doors open in 1999. Right now I'm on some combination of purchasing cd's, vinyl, mp3s and getting the same thing for free using bittorrents. I like to think I support the bands that need the help and that the amount I spend on albums and concert tickets is a more than ample contribution to the music industry.
Often, it's a pretty clear cut system. I bought the new Joel Plaskett and downloaded Abbey Road. Does Michael Jackson still get all the royalties from the sale of Beatles albums? Who knows-but you get the idea. It's getting more and more difficult, however, as I listen to more and more small Canadian bands. I just feel so guilty taking the music at will as these independent artists struggle to squeak by. On the other hand, there is no way my bank account could even remotely keep up to my listening habits. So should I just start listening to less new music? That seems kind of counter-productive.
I won't attempt to broach the whole vinyl vs. cd vs. mp3 debate as it's pretty irrational. I can't even fit my record player into my apartment, and I'm still tempted to buy vinyl. It's dumb, I know.
It will be interesting to see how/if the record companies figure out how to deal with P2P downloading. I personally don't think they will anytime soon, but who knows, they may solve this problem for me.
