Distribution is Distribution, Not an Instant Fan-Base

Torrentfreak reports that a donation based online music model doesn’t necessarily guarantee success:

This year, several established bands have decided to give away their music for free, while giving fans the option to donate whatever they seem fit. For Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails it was a great success since they made more money from the donation model than they would have otherwise. However, it seems that this doesn’t hold for less established artists.

I’m sorry, but what exactly were these other bands expecting? Did they honestly believe that the reason for Radiohead’s and NIN’s success was their distribution model? (Update: And when did NIN ever use a donation model?)

Your method of distribution is just that: your method of distribution. It is not a substitute for hard work, publicity and a fan base.

I’ve been giving my music away for free for almost a year now and I’ve just started to get a pretty consistent set of listeners. I don’t think donation systems or giveaways guarantee you an audience anymore than having a record deal does.

That being said it doesn’t have to do with the quality of the recording. If you upload a torrent for Transformers 2 and let’s say Kieslowskis Bleu, the one with public approval and exposure is obviously going to get downloaded more, but that doesn’t make the lesser known one any worse.

When this was a novelty it may have generated some listenership, but it’s sort of like having Blue Ray DVD out with only a few titles: the titles first available are going to get more attention. As it becomes less special, it will become a standard practice rather than a risky novelty. Artist promotion isn’t going to end, even if the standard record industry does.