How Can We Get People To Buy Music Again?

Nielsen SoundScan reported that only 4.95 million albums were sold last week. That’s a record low, going back to 1991 when the SoundScan era began. The industry has long been in decline, so the question is, how can it be reinvigorated?

Of course, in the digital age, with the physical product becoming less of a mainstay in the marketplace, people are sharing their collections with each other more easily. In that way the technology is flawed. It used to be if you and your friend wanted to get the same album, you bought two copies. But, imagine this. What if there is an album that is not sold in its physical form? You and a friend both like the artist. If it were available on a physical disc, you and your friend would each pick up a copy. It doesn’t make sense to download it twice, so you download it once and you and your friend each burn a copy. I suspect scenarios like this are playing out around the country every day. Pow!! There you have one potential cause for the sales drop.

Let’s face the fact as well that the music on pop radio doesn’t even come close to giving an appropriate sampling of the best music available. Year after year the labels promote what tends to be their most pedestrian material. No one takes risks anymore! They are so busy trying to start and manipulate trends that they forget that radio is supposed to serve the people. Many great records are released every year. Some of them are even on the majors. Those great records often don’t receive airplay. The system needs correcting and radio playlists need to be opened up and reexamined. Imagine, your future favorite album may have just been released, but if it’s not one that is getting much airplay you may never find out it exists. If that’s your only pipeline into what’s new and hip, the industry just lost a sale.

I read as much as I can about new albums. The indie press is the only way to get anything close to an accurate reading of trends in the industry. I firmly believe in the physical product. I feel that it’s more permanent and that it makes the medium of music less disposable and more tangible. I love album artwork and liner notes. Somehow we got to a point where too many people view music as something that should be free. Artists need money. Art will only flourish if people have the freedom to devote their lives to their craft. Without a monetary backbone, culture dies. I’ve seen too many bands I like get dropped by their labels. That’s why every week I always purchase new releases.

The public needs to wake up and realize that if the industry keeps this up level of decline, eventually it will be unsustainable and will collapse. Do you want a world without commercial music? I don’t think you do! So, do me a favor, please, if you can. After you read this, go out to your local record store (if you still can find one) or if you wish go online and buy some music. Support the industry. Music needs your help!!