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Francesco Fareri



Last Updated: 11/21/2009

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Status: Single
City: Rome
State: Roma
Country: IT
Signup Date: 11/22/2005
Thursday, April 17, 2008 

A reflection about illegal download

 

Have you ever asked yourself what the consequences are for illegal download for musicians?

I want to tell you few things: in music there are a lot of 'categories' of artists like music-heroes, extremely famous, well known and undiscovered artists, I think I'm in the undiscovered section and I have never thought to be afflicted by illegal download until now.

Today I have received my sales report and while reading it I felt immediately sad, depressed and angry too, my cd had not sold as much copies as I hoped thanks to the illegal download. I never wanted to live as a musician, for this reason I have a normal job, but I have been saving money for years to produce a serious album with a real drummer, a real bass player, a real keyboard player and a good sound, I'm not saying that I want to be rich with the selling of my cds because it isn't my intent but all the sacrifices I did for years to produce my music are totally killed when my album is illegally downloaded.

Please don't think that this is a bad situation for big artists only, because also unknown players like me invest money for a cd and they don't even have an income for the production and this is very frustrating as a musician and above all as a person. I usually save money for 3 years to produce a solo album trying to have the best production I can, the best playing I can, the best musicians I can and all of this has no sense except for the satisfaction to have the cd released and in a label catalogue but for what purpose if it is totally killed by illegal download?

Since I was a young boy I have always bought cds. I love my cds collection, I love to see the booklet when I listen to the music and above all I love to have the cd physically in my hands, in those years, it was about 1994/95 I used to spend all my weekends in the center of my city walking from a record shop to another to search for a new or used CD by a guitarist and it was a great time. Actually most of those record shops are closed because they failed and I continue to buy cds from all the distributors available on internet but of course the approach to enter in a shop is different, to have the cd in your hands, to have a pre-listening of it there, to see it well and then decide to buy it or not… but that's how the market works now. Today a lot of young boys from the new generation have the computer or ipod with thousands and thousands of mp3s, entire discography of artists, yes I know things have changed since 1995, now it is much more simple just to sit in front of your computer and you have under your hands the entire music-world, isn't it like this?

There will always be less musicians that will spend money to produce albums with great sounds, real drummer and real bass player and trying to do all at home and being guitar-bass-drum-keyboard-player in one time and all of this will give the music market no good quality albums.

The meaning of these few words is just to let you know that illegal download is killing music and no matter if you are an hero or a totally undiscovered artist; it is killing all music resources. I would like to believe you can spend a few minutes thinking about my words and my ideas, yes I know it won't change anything but I wanted to tell my opinion because I can't remain here in silence in front of this.


 

April 17th, 2008

Francesco Fareri

 

6:12 PM
 
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Milan Polak

 
I hear you, man. You're so right about all this. I mean, people happily spend 4.99 EUR on one fucking ringtone for their cell phones but are not willing to spend money on a whole CD with 12 or more songs... What's wrong...?! The worst quote I heard from someone was, "I am not stealing your money, I just don't give you any..." which of course is complete BS!
Sad, sad, sad...
 
Posted by Milan Polak on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 6:40 PM
[Reply to this] 
Oscar Ortega

 
As a fellow musician, friend and composer I too feel the effects of illegal downloading.

Don’t let something like this get you down Francesco! Perseverance always prevails!!!!


Oscar
 
Posted by Oscar Ortega on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 7:38 PM
[Reply to this] 
GuitarEuroShop

 
Hi Francesco,
As a musician, and music businessman I truly understand your situation..

We all have to believe in better days!
All the best,
Franck
 
Posted by GuitarEuroShop on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 7:42 PM
[Reply to this] 


 
Francesco is totally right ! I'm an undiscover artist too, and people can't imagine how much is the cost to pay musician, studio, making and the percentage taken by distributor !
It's so difficult to produce a full album this day.... but we can't fight against illegal download ...

Whan i was a teenager i duplicate K7 or CD on K7, but finally lost quality sound, now people download music, but can keep it as long as they want .... there is a problem in the systeme, doesn't it ?
 
Posted by on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 8:09 PM
[Reply to this] 
Antonello Sassone

 
well said, I totally agree..
The trend is headed downward, and will not stop until someone does something about the problem!!
People are listening to more music than ever before and people are experimenting much more with the kind of music that they are prepared to listen to but unfortunately the new "motto" about music seems to be something like :"Why buy the cow when you get the milk for free?"...
but music is not milk....this is the great mistake....
ciao Fra
 
Posted by Antonello Sassone on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 8:09 PM
[Reply to this] 
Department of Virtuosity

 
Downloading music is a good thing, however if you treat is as a pre-listening. If you donload an album and like it, and then go to the music store in order to buy it or purchase a given CD via Internet - it is no problem for an artist/band as well as a listener. If you have an original copy of CD, you can compress it into MP3 format for your personal use - it is as well no problem.

Moreover, there are two ways of downloading music: illegal and legal. As for the first one, we all do know what it is. As far as the latter one is concerned, you can legally download music by paying for MP3 files or getting a hidden links to promotional MP3s. I, as a journalist, have been getting hundreds of links from artists and bands to donwload it, but the core question is: what is the aim of my activity? I get the links to MP3s in order to knock off the cost of shipping what is crucial especially for an unknown artists and bands. I use MP3s as a promotional copy and never share them with someone out of our editor's office. It is only for my and my colleagues' internal and sole use necessary to our work and promotional aims. Due to the music sent to me in digital form, artists and bands can save their money, and I get a stuff to write a review or do an interview. I hope you get the point!

Recently, I have bought a dozen or so guitar-oriented albums from a few continents, and believe me, Friends, it requires much time and money, that's why I do understand Francesco's sadness. If you have the CD and all the paperwork, you can sense front and back covers visually. It is much different than listening to music from iPod! It is the sign of time, however I am going to carry on buying my favourite music to promote it and increase my collection.

Summing up, don't break you down, Francesco! Many popular and plastic music fans are only fleeting, however a REAL guitar music fans act like a worldwide family and hopefully it is lasting!

Thanks for a great post and take care!
Nicolo
 
Posted by Department of Virtuosity on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 8:22 PM
[Reply to this] 
Corny - suche Band, siehe Profil

 
Absolutely agreed. Plus, you listen to music much more with all your senses when you spent money on it AND when you don't download 5 discographies a day.
 
Posted by Corny - suche Band, siehe Profil on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 9:15 PM
[Reply to this] 
Cristian Paduano

 
Hi FRANCESCO.

All you said is true, but is a loosing battle for us. Internet has taked a lots of good thinks but a lots of bads too. the situation is so complicated.........
 
Posted by Cristian Paduano on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 9:57 PM
[Reply to this] 
Tom Kopyto

 
The way things are with file sharing, it's guaranteed that an artist won't make their money back from production costs esp. when self financing a CD. And then fans wonder why they don't see a new release for years, or better yet, even a SECOND release from their favorite artists.
 
Posted by Tom Kopyto on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 10:13 PM
[Reply to this] 
Ysrafel

 
It's good to hear your thoughts on this Francesco..I really feel for you man! I can only imagine your frustration. Stay positive, and try not to let it get you down too much...

Take Care

Ysrafel
 
Posted by Ysrafel on Friday, April 18, 2008 - 2:47 AM
[Reply to this] 
Carsten Lizard Schulz

 
Hi mate

know exactly, what you're talking about. I could find my latest EVIDENCE ONE album with only adding the name to Google weeks ahead of the official release.
Some labels tried to deal with situation by either selling extremely valuable limited editions on the one hand, or particularly cheap ones on the other. Well, main point is, people consume (!) music differently these days. I've been growing up reading the album covers for hours, trying to find certain infos, I didn't know before, with the rising of the internet, you get your infos within minutes! Only very few (especially our generation) see the work behind every recording or composition, but who can blame a young audience for that!? With the progress of digital homerecording everybody sees themselves as an respectable recording engineer or composer - and the weird thing is, some really manage to record more than decent albums with the help of their PC or Mac. Some do...
The kids these days (and this already is the second generation living with the internet) don't see illegal downloads as something illegal! I've been doing shows, where kids wanted me to sign burnt CDs or asking me, where they could get the lyrics to the songs, simply because they never ever thought of buying the album with the booklet and stuff! They already got used to that!
I don't believe in pay-per-use downloads either (except for iTunes - because Apple managed to sell the a cool gadget, the iPod, to get iTunes successful), only those, who don't know where to look for illegal MP3s download from the legal platforms.
Next point is, with the rising of cheap low-class-pop productions in the mid-nineties on the one hand, and all sorts of "Popidol" and "become-an-overnight-star-shows" on the other, musicianship is no longer seen as art. There are just very few skills needed to get your 15 minutes of fame.
Over the years, I managed to live with that and somehow tried to accept it, though I keep having problems going on tour, because my record companies didn't sell enough in some countries - once you're there, the place is packed! Everyone knows the songs...

Last thing I gotta say, think of how many illegal movies or videos you guys have already downloaded from the net!!! I once was working with a guitarist, complaining every single day about illegal downloads, who himself had a fabulous library of illegal Hollywood movies (and porn of course!) taken from the net.
Be reasonable, act consequently!

Peace, bro - know, what you're talking about.
c
 
Posted by Carsten Lizard Schulz on Friday, April 18, 2008 - 8:01 AM
[Reply to this] 
kyle honea

 
Francesco! yes illegal downloading is killing the undiscovered/halfway discovered artists..illegal filesharing (especially the real covert stuff) has done so much bad.. i have totally realized that with the internet, so much good can come from it, and so much bad..not a real balance either way.. most people don't care at all about musicianship,integrity, or respect.. for example, i went to the store a few hours ago, and 2 people (cashier and customer)are standing by the register arguing about a receipt..really arguing... a few days ago i'm in a restaraunt and there are people arguing about chicken strips!! really shouting!! hey, i have my moments too, but life is too damn short for all that.. i think you have done a great job musically Francesco,and people know that too..alot of people know of you and about you and your skills..depression is something i live with and battle daily so don't worry.. for you, it's only temporary i think.. never give up.. take care my brother!! Kyle
 
Posted by kyle honea on Friday, April 18, 2008 - 10:27 AM
[Reply to this] 
Luigi Rinaldi - unsigned shredder -

 
Ciao Francè!
Well the topic is enough problematic.
The first point is the big difference in prices between "our" albums and celebrities albums.
I like very much to buy a cd because of booklet and because in this way i can feel closer to the artist. But is true as well that 35 euro for a celebrity's cd is too much, so i can't avoid sometimes to download albums, or i buy a cd that costs less.
Instead, our albums have often cheaper prices, also because undiscovered artists often produce their album in their own, and everyone could buy them.

I think that the solution should start working on the agremeents between labels, artists and prices of cds.

ciao!
 
Posted by Luigi Rinaldi - unsigned shredder - on Friday, April 18, 2008 - 11:07 AM
[Reply to this] 
Dee
derek jones

 
Nothing can kill music Fransesco. The fact is, musicians have to change with economy. I realized this along time ago. Quit getting disheartened just because there are some punks running around out there who don't like to play by the rules, and they download as much their hearts desire. This doesn't hurt the big boys as much as it does the little guys, but all and all, it is considered a loss.

What is wrong with everyones perspective on this is: quit thinking that if the Internet didn't exist that these people who are "illegally downloading would go out and buy your cd!!!
If it was not for the Internet, I would have never have heard of YOU!!!!!!!!! Or in lamens terms - QUIT LOOKING AT DOWNLOADS AS LOST SALES. The fact is, it just is not true, you can't garauntee that any of them would have bought anything. That is what is wrong with this whole philosophy. You just gotta take it on the chin.
2. If you are a true musician, is it all sacrifice. You will lose everytime, it is our paradox. There are very few of us that will be "discovered." That is what creates DEMAND in the free market. And the labels have to do this in order to sell.
They find what is most "popular" and marketable to a large group, and latch on to it.
3. The big name labels are behind this. They have to create this polarization in the "biz" that way there is compitition to get noticed and get signed. - They want the REAL and talented musicians on there knees, broken hearted, with crushed souls, willing to take whatever offer they make. Because for them that is the holy grail. They know in their hearts they can't really afford you, so they cheat you. It doesn't always work for them, but it does a lot of the time, and I know this for a fact. My drummers ex-girlfriend was a scout for Capitol Records, and this is how she signed talent. She led them on, and broke them down until they took the most minimal offer. Why - because it was her job, and if she didn't do it, the next scout would.

What I am telling you is remold your perspective on all of this. you are extremely talented - you don't have to prove your capabilities to anyone but yourself. You could play any type of music and anyone who has heard you knows it. Start thinking about this all as Business, loss vs. gain. That is how the big boys do it. Put in what you project you are going to get out, be sensible. Dont save for three year producing an album that will run you out of all of your money. Quality doesn't get you noticed, your TALENT GETS YOU NOTICED. You can't say that you have to have the best quality either because they didn't back in the 80's and that is how Steve Vai got noticed - making his own low budget album and releasing it himself. Many others have done it also, REO Speedwagon, Boston....etc...
think about it man.
 
Posted by Dee on Friday, April 18, 2008 - 1:02 PM
[Reply to this] 
Matt Eaton

 
Just wanted to add a note here regarding 'corporate' radio's role in this. You stated:

"There are very few of us that will be "discovered." That is what creates DEMAND in the free market. And the labels have to do this in order to sell. They find what is most "popular" and marketable to a large group, and latch on to it."

IMO...What creates demand in the (not so free...at least in the United States) market is corporate radio's lack of desire to have anything 'new'...or corporate radio's wanting to just take the big name labels' word on what will sell. On what is popular. Those big labels (corporations)...through their (corporate owned) radio network...actually create what is 'popular' by repeating it over their airwaves again...and again...and again. It only takes 7 repetitions for the human mind to permanently retain something...good or bad. So...if we listen to that song that immediately made us want to puke enough times...we will be desensitized to it and eventually be OK with hearing it. Maybe even find ourself humming the tune at some point.

So...yes...we are struggling against giant corporations that have monopolized the music business. So I totally agree that we have to think of this as business rather than only art. Art happens when you are recording or performing...but it's business and self promotion the rest of the time.

Here are a couple of links that are very helpful to independent artists. They are from a newsletter I receive through email from Bob Baker:

TheBuzzFactor.com

MusicPromotionBlog.com

Bob-Baker.com/podcast

IndieBuzzBootcamp.com

MusicMarketingBooks.com

MySpaceMusicMarketing.com

MusicPRbootcamp.com

MusicMarketingInsiders.com

FullTimeAuthor.com

You can also find Bob here:

MySpace.com/thebuzzfactor

YouTube.com/user/MrBuzzFactor

Linkedin.com/in/buzzfactor

Flickr.com/photos/bob-baker

Del.icio.us/MrBuzzFactor

Mrbuzzfactor.stumbleupon.com

Twitter.com/MrBuzzFactor

Facebook.com/p/Bob_Baker/605029417

There is a wealth of information out there designed and offered to help the indie musician accomplish their career goals. Don't just lay down and take it. Spiders find their way into hospitals...and lizards into palaces. We have to learn to be like the spider and the lizard. Find the lesser traveled path...the hidden path...the path that is far too small for a big label (corporation) to bother with or maybe even be aware of.

NEVER give up.

Here is a video/song that I find very inspiring:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK_E7xS7AtQ

-ME
 
Posted by Matt Eaton on Thursday, June 12, 2008 - 6:04 PM
[Reply to this] 
Mark D. Rose

 
I agree with Dee the whole issue sucks but on the other hand I would have never heard of you if it wasn't for the Internet. You take the good with the Bad.Think of it as advertisement every time some one illegaly down loads your stuff that means in essance you have one more listener. who will probably turn a few friends onto it as well. Its Advertisement that unfortunately you pay for but not everyone is bad out there. Have faith there are still plenty of us out there who pay for there tunes. Again I feel for you and am in no way condoning what these filthy pigs are doing! All I am saying is you have to look at the bright side. People have been ripping off musicians every since the recordable tape was invented. I would concentrate on the things you have control over instead of dwelling on the stuff you don't. For instance Get on the labels Ass!! ask them why your sales are not doing as well and what are they doing about it? thats there job And you deffinately
have a big enough name that they should be doing more then just distribution including flipping some of the bill for recording. If not you need to really think about re negotiating your deal with Lion. I am sure there are plenty of smaller labels that would be willing to do more then just distribution.
Again the whole issue sucks and you have every right to feel violated just keep up the good work and concentrate on the things you have control over all else will fall into place. Have faith your an amazing player and artist you will get whats coming to you I have no doubt!
take care.
Mark
 
Posted by Mark D. Rose on Monday, April 28, 2008 - 11:37 AM
[Reply to this] 
Leonardo Porcheddu

 
Ciao Fra! ;)

Can you really even imagine how many times I thought about this sad and especially "unsoppable" situation?!?!? This is the present my friend,and unfortunately this will be the future,until someone will think how to definitely destroy Internet.... o_O Cause if you really think about it,it's very difficoult (almost impossible telling the truth!!!) to find a way to destroy piracy,without even change something on the Internet activities!!! Until we will have the possibility to go trough the web,piracy will be always in the first line!!! But it's also true that INTERNET,is a great invention (the millennium invention,I could say...),and also a great help for us by now (we use to use it every day,for millions of things...) and especially for the world comunications and for the way that the entire World is going on... Nobody will ever think about "unmaking" Internet for protect artist by the illegal dowloads... That's the truth...

Anyway...

I deeply understand what you are feeling,first of all cause I'm a musician,I do it for Job,and fortunately,when you are a turnist or teacher and you get money from this instead have to sell many copies of your albums you really have less worries,'cause LIVE Music is still our safety! And second,I'm a CD collector as you are,and I really love original CD for the same reason you have told!!!

Illegal downloads will be surelly the complete destruction of music market,we can only wait for some kind of countermeasure for it... But I'm really doubtfully about this... Let's stay hopeful... :)

KEEP THE MUSIC ALIVE!!!

Leo.
 
Posted by Leonardo Porcheddu on Friday, April 18, 2008 - 2:12 PM
[Reply to this] 
Paul Tauterouff

 
Illegal downloading sucks! People will try to come up with all sorts of justification for it, but at the end of the day it is still preventing someone else from earning money back on something which they invested their heart, time and money into.

Some may say that illegal downloading may expose an artist to an audience they may not have had. While this may be true it still doesn't mean anything because I'm sure that the majority of downloading music hoarders spend very little money on CD's, since they get pretty much everything they want for free.

Like Fra, I want to read the liner notes, artists thoughts, who did the artwork, mastering, etc. I want the CD in my hand. I spent over $700 last year on physical CD's mostly by small indepenent artists. (yeah, I bought Secrets Within).

Regarding the "preview" argument: you can go to Amazon.com, CDbaby.com, guitarnine.com, Lionmusic.com, or the artists website and hear enough clips to determine whether you want to purchase a particular CD.

People think that they are entitled to something just because they can get it for free. They also think that because they didn't pick up your CD, put it in their pocket and steal from a store that it is not stealing. That is bullshit! It doesn't matter how much a CD may cost in your country or if you do not have money, if you downlaod an artists CD without paying them for it you are stealing.

I don't know what the solution is (if there is one), but I think that as artists we have a responsibility to publicly voice our opinions. Otherwise the consequence may be that great musicians like Fra or Guthrie Govan may decide to not release anymore CD's, and that would suck.....
 
Posted by Paul Tauterouff on Friday, April 18, 2008 - 2:24 PM
[Reply to this] 
Dee
derek jones

 
In the time that I have been in this business I have learned on thing: there is no proof that if the Internet did not exist that illegal downloaders would purchase music legally from a retailer. (This does not justify their action in any way though) Thus, illegal downloads do not equal negative gain in CD sales, or losses if you will. You have to ignore those reports that say, you lost "X" because of this. There is no proof that "X" or any portion of "X" could have ever been attained. This is all false sentiment, and bad business practices. It is another way to place blame on someone else for a lack of success. I know because I used to do it. I believe that this all stems from jealousy of those who are doing truly well, regardless if they are no talent hacks, (ex. all pop music - or lip synced acts) - which Fra is not - he is extremely talented.

The fact is - large acts that are competing in a global economy are dealing with the same thing, but on a much more massive and global level. Thus, no band relies on CD sales for anything anymore - they mean nothing - except where you land on some stupid chart. If you get them - luck, or you have very dedicated fans and you should be thanking god for whichever it is.
 
Posted by Dee on Friday, April 18, 2008 - 6:34 PM
[Reply to this] 
Greg Rapaport (recording new material)

 
Hey Francesco,
Downloading is a very perplexing conundrum. They say that "the exposure will be great for undiscovered artists" and that is true to an extent. But in reality downloading pretty much equates to loss of sales. I feel that when most people illegally get a recording they don't run out and buy a legal copy of it if they like it. The instrumental market is such a tight market to begin with. One copy means a lot more to us than 1 copy does to a huge established artist. We just don't do the volume that the big guys do. It is sad, and we've been dealing with it for a long time and the future doesn't really hold much promise. I guess they're right when they say its all in the timing.

I guess the thing that really drive me nuts is the consumer's sense of entitlement. They feel that they deserve free music. In general I feel the younger generation has internalized a sense of instant gratification. They want it now and they want it for free. And music is a very easy target. Through this, your efforts, my efforts, all our efforts have been cheapened to an extent and that really sucks. A lot of us are in the same boat. We have a day gig and we self finance our own projects. It is indeed a labor of love but man some financial reward to help finance the next one would be great. When they said that in order to become a "true" artist you have to sacrifice...they weren't kidding.

I teach guitar and bass as my main gig. A few of my students have bands, mostly hardcore. When they start up a band they put together their line of merchandise (t-shirts, stickers etc) to sell at shows even before they record anything. They say that music is almost secondary now to merch because with the merch they can actually make money. That's scary.

best,
greg
 
Posted by Greg Rapaport (recording new material) on Friday, April 18, 2008 - 8:56 PM
[Reply to this] 
[ L ]

 
You are so right!!Bands seem to only care about the merch.Being in several bands I can tell you without a doubt that you are right!!Great comment!!
 
Posted by [ L ] on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 10:47 PM
[Reply to this] 
Jonel Boljanac

 
I know & understand how you feel, but for myself now I accept the new ways of music delivery & don't care for music notes or CD cover artistry for me it's all about the music. Just like hundreds of years ago the musicians work (musical scores) & performances help support him financially, he must get support from the local community & institutions.

I'm glad the labels have been challenged, they have monopolized & profited too much from what they thought was best for the public or what they thought they can make money on, there is much more freedom & choice now.
 
Posted by Jonel Boljanac on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 3:03 PM
[Reply to this] 
Dee
derek jones

 
This is an interesting perspective also.
 
Posted by Dee on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 12:34 PM
[Reply to this] 
Roger Staffelbach

 
I can only say that you are absolutely right about this, as i feel exactly the same. Maybe the Industry should think about lowering the cd prices, but to be honest i'm not quiet sure whether this would push the sales that much, but i'm sure it would have some positive effect on sales and probably would make the cd a bit more 'attractive' again for the buyer.
Anyway, unfortunately nowadays music seems to be looked at as a 'fast food' product, compared to when i grew up and when music was being looked at as something very valuable.
Anyway, let's see what happens..

Power to the Music!

Roger
 
Posted by Roger Staffelbach on Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 11:56 AM
[Reply to this] 
stefanoagostini.com

 
Hi Francesco.
Hi web surfer, excuse me for my horrible english. I hope that you'll understand my ideas.

Francesco, the problem is bigger than yours. We should reflect about "illegal" at all, not only about cd. If we don't, it's wrong to reflect about only a very little part of the story. What can we say about books? What can we say about wear and shoes? In Italy we know what it means.

We should also reflect about what is "art" today and how it is considered by customers and producers and artists.

We should reflect about the "market", and what means "to enter in the market" today and in general (excuse me guys for my english...). How the market is changed since 70's years.

We should reflect and decide many things about "the web", how we consider it and if we want to treat it like a serious thing. Only a little example: you haven't wrote how much you spent for marketing and communication in general. The market is a seriuos thing, communication is a seriuos thing.
Another example: many programmers told me that if they develop a program by an opensource language, companies don't want to pay a normal price: why??!? Because it is powered by open source...

I'd like saying many things, a lot of things about this difficult situation that you are living, and I respect obvious, but is difficult in a language that is not my native language.

Anyway, we should understand, understand and... understand.

I don't want to close my eyes on your problems (I really appreciate your technique Francesco and you are a "good guy" in everyway) but.... I remember that a lot of musicians told many bad things about the majors: that they don't see what happens around, that they only want money and nothing else, that aren't consumer oriented in the right way... that are not open...

And I'd like seeing you all, trying to be different than them. And we should be worried about all that happens around us, not only about our problems. And maybe, I say maybe, not all could be known if internet wouldn't be.

I am the bad I know.. but i try staying calm in my life and seeing things in a cold way.

See you Francesco
 
Posted by stefanoagostini.com on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - 9:29 AM
[Reply to this] 
Blackorchidx

 
i download a few tracks to hear samples if it isnt already availiable, if its not good then i delete it, if it is then i buy the cd, i wont bullshit and paint a perfect picture of myself as a supporter of artists to the max but i aint a thief either.
downloading is good to avoid a bad purchase but like i said, if its not good delete it, if it is the buy it.
we all hope for more sales than we get, its the nature of the beast.
in the future only money will be made from gigs and touring and merchandise.

keep rockin
 
Posted by Blackorchidx on Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 8:09 AM
[Reply to this] 
Restless Moon - album Mare Crisium out now!

 
First of all I agree with the statement that nothing can kill music...
Second, internet has also brought us many good things, like myspace we are right in now...
Third, is the illegal download so much different from making a copy to a cassette tape, we all used to do? I don't think so...
don't understand me wrong, cause since the cd, I do not copy and buy originals only...
But this is a discussion containing more than just black or white...

Finally, too bad you do not believe in the "home guitar-bass-drum-keyboard-player" (what about the singer btw?). I know some very good examples of multi-instrument players who do marvellous jobs with this, without trying to promote myself...

It's all about music, passion that comes from the heart... no illegal download or less perfect home-made sound can change that...
 
Posted by Restless Moon - album Mare Crisium out now! on Friday, May 30, 2008 - 1:20 PM
[Reply to this] 
Dee
derek jones

 
"It's all about music, passion that comes from the heart... no illegal download or less perfect home-made sound can change that..."

and the truth shall set you free.........
 
Posted by Dee on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 4:26 AM
[Reply to this] 
Steve’s Music

 
I FEEL UR PAIN IT IS A WORST SITUATION THAN WE ALL KNOW !
 
Posted by Steve’s Music on Thursday, June 12, 2008 - 5:24 PM
[Reply to this] 
[ L ]

 
YOU ARE COMPLETELY RIGHT!!AS MUCH AS I LOVE THE AMOUNT OF CONTROL THE COMPUTER GIVES US MUSICIANS I DESPISE IT AS WELL.ITS A NECCESARY EVIL UNFORTUNATELY AND UNTIL DOWNLOADS ARE BETTER REGULATED IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.IT IS DEPRESSING WHEN YOU POUR YOUR HEART INTO YOUR CRAFT AND THEN HAVE SOMEONE STEAL IT.ITS FUNNY HOW PEOPLE WHO WOULD'NT THINK OF STEALING FROM A STORE OR PERSON WILL WITHOUT THOUGHT STEAL A SONG THAT THEY LIKE.I GUESS THEY FEEL THAT IT IS A VICTIMLESS CRIME BUT THEY ARE DEAD WRONG.THE VICTIM IS THE ARTIST AND THE FANS WHO ARE WILLING TO PAY FOR THE ARTISTS WORK.IT ALSO KEEPS THE ARTIST FROM BEING ABLE TO PRODUCE ANYMORE WORK FOR LACK OF MONEY TO PAY THE BILLS!!IF YOU ILLEGALLY DOWNLOAD A SONG OR ALBUM THEN YOU ARE A COMMON THEIF AND NEED TO BE PUNISHED FOR COPYWRIGHT INFRINGEMENT.YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO SUPPORT THE ARTISTS YOU LOVE,NOT RIP THEM OFF.
PEACE,L
 
Posted by [ L ] on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 10:42 PM
[Reply to this] 


 
Hey Francesco,
I agree with everything you wrote,I allways buy Cd,s of guys I love,I want to believe that in some small way I am helping them in return for the inspiration that they give me. But remember why you play the guitar ,remember all the people that love your playing ,the way you feel when you compose a song that "YOU" are proude of .You play to be heard,you play for the love of it ,you play for the chills down your spine when you become the music you are playing. You are very,very talented. Its a new time,and time we can not change,we can only deal with the future,your love of your craft has gotten you past your darkest days,it has put a smile on your face when you didnt feel like smiling.it has woken you up in the middle of the night to write down an idea or to finish a track,take this feeling and use it to drive you dreams and not to stop them.

with much support and best wishes.
Stephen Doman
 
Posted by on Saturday, June 21, 2008 - 1:15 AM
[Reply to this] 
Burden Of Flesh

 
hi, my friend

i ve a thousand cd at home, and i download music, only shred music and instrumental guitar.

I know you download your first album there Since I bought your albums among which those of everything nice groups.

peer to peer is a good means to discover bands.
But people have to buy the bands which they like.

A cd collection whith white booklet is very shit... no artist,producter, label... name,
I like your reflection , it s very true ....

before Internet I dreamed.
internet to kill this pleasure of discovery

ralph
 
Posted by Burden Of Flesh on Thursday, July 17, 2008 - 8:15 PM
[Reply to this] 
Carl-Fearicide

 
Theres the idea of somehow getting your music herd by the people who buy/listen.
And we as musicians will allways struggle with that aspect, myspace has been great in that people can hear us- can see us- can relate- and hopefully purchase from us. BUT
free..... as immoral as it is is very attractive, and those with $ issues will allways make excuses. It was a great time (in my youth) when i would go to the music store and get to look thru all the music release books and get to pick what was the coolest thing i could afford, one album each two weeks when i got paid. Now my cd collection is at onethousand
and i wont "steal" somebodys effort, i have had arguments with people about this....
i dont approve , it is not my way , and i wont jugde , they are hurting those who do the work to make the beautiful music they steal,
and the music industry is only too willing to manipulate and corrupt a musicians dreams into profit
bullS!t

Horns , your friend fearicideCarl
 
Posted by Carl-Fearicide on Wednesday, August 06, 2008 - 1:04 PM
[Reply to this] 
Jason Aaron Wood

 
I can absolutely sympathize with you on this. Our band Todesbonden released our first LP on June 24th 2008 but I was getting Google Alerts for illegal download sites all over the world almost a month before then. Some people would even contact us and tell us how much they liked our new CD.....which wasn't out yet. It had been pirated from the promo CDs that our label sent out to reviewers, and some reviewers even posted wonderful reviews but which included a full-album download link -- again, nearly a month before the release date. Very disappointing and aggravating. I'm sorry that you have had a similarly disheartening experience.

Rock on nonetheless man -- you truly are gifted.
 
Posted by Jason Aaron Wood on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - 5:14 PM
[Reply to this]