How much does the artist typically make from an album?

[rhythmdevils]

Im curious. I just went and bought an album that I got for free because I really like it, and it isn't too well known. I try to buy albums that I wind up really liking and listening to a lot, esspecially if they aren't already selling bagillions of copies. But then I wonder how much they are actually getting from the album. I have heard that they make most of their money from live shows.

I guess different labels will be different. I bet Sony isn't too generous.

the album I bought was Midlake - The Trials of Van Occupanther, which, by the way, is a really really fcking good album!

 

[mrdeadfolx]

I heard that with a major record label, on a 15-20 dollar cd, the artist only makes around a dollar a copy. Obviously much more on an independently released CD. Yes, most of the money made by a band is from their live shows and merchandise sold at those shows.

 

[Zarathustra19]

Dude, Van Occupanther. Rocks. Period.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I've also heard it was about a buck per CD. However, the record industry also "advances" a lot of things to bands which is later deducted from royalties. I can't think of his name right now, but the lead singer of Grandaddy wrote about barely breaking even and, considering the hours put in, earned about minimum wage for his work.

That's why I support independent labels and buy used 99% of the time. I won't download or copy music, but it was totally legal to hit the used record store last night to buy some vinyl.

The record industry needs and deserves to die, and we should do everything legally possible to kill it. Music won't go away, it just needs to be put into a business model fair to artists and listeners. The execs should go out of business and be forced to get real jobs.

 

[rhythmdevils]

it is pretty upsetting. someone like grandaddy works, puts his soul into something, and barely scrapes by, meanwhile, some souless freak in a suit drives a porche.

I was thinking it would be awsome if there was something like youtube, where anyone, anywhere could upload their music for a small fee, like the cost of the storage only. Then anyone can download the album for 2 or 3 dollars. And there could be preview functions, so you could listen to anything. The artwork would be downloaded with the album. And there would be reviews, and connections, and links, and stars, and all that good stuff like on amazon, to make it easy for people to find music.

If I had web skills I would start it, but i aint.

 

[rhythmdevils]

so how much do artists make from indie labels?

 

[goldenratiophi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhythmdevils /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was thinking it would be awsome if there was something like youtube, where anyone, anywhere could upload their music for a small fee, like the cost of the storage only. Then anyone can download the album for 2 or 3 dollars. And there could be preview functions, so you could listen to anything. The artwork would be downloaded with the album. And there would be reviews, and connections, and links, and stars, and all that good stuff like on amazon, to make it easy for people to find music.

Sounds kinda like a mix of Magnatune and Jamendo.

 

[eduj]

Check this article by David Byrne in recent Wired
David Byrne's Survival Strategies for Emerging Artists — and Megastars

 

[FalconP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhythmdevils /img/forum/go_quote.gif so how much do artists make from indie labels?

Depends; indies are not necessarily saints -- the Celtic bands Altan and Wolfstone broke off from their former (indie) label nastily, and despite being among the most popular Celtic bands on earth, they came off with a bucketload of IOUs.

 

[rhythmdevils]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eduj /img/forum/go_quote.gif Check this article by David Byrne in recent Wired David Byrne's Survival Strategies for Emerging Artists — and Megastars

that was really helpful! I guess a lot of that is necessary. But in an ideal world, the artist and label percentages would be reversed. But its far from an ideal world! (except when ive got my headphones on

)

 

[Febs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhythmdevils /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was thinking it would be awsome if there was something like youtube, where anyone, anywhere could upload their music for a small fee, like the cost of the storage only. Then anyone can download the album for 2 or 3 dollars. And there could be preview functions, so you could listen to anything. The artwork would be downloaded with the album. And there would be reviews, and connections, and links, and stars, and all that good stuff like on amazon, to make it easy for people to find music.

CD Baby: let's find you some great new music... is more about selling CDs than it is about downloads, but its function is similar to what you describe.

 

[tot]

Courtney Love's speech is a good read.

 

[soMn]

One of the best article (rants) out there on the the subject is "The Problem with Music," by Steve Albini:

The Problem with music by Steve Albini

has a good breakdown of where the costs go. very informative, even considering that he's got an agenda. not that agendas are a bad thing, but just be aware of that when reading.

 

[soMn]

Just read through the Courtney Love one too; that's a nice bit, and little more up-to-date.

 

[omegaman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhythmdevils /img/forum/go_quote.gif the album I bought was Midlake - The Trials of Van Occupanther, which, by the way, is a really really fcking good album!

I bought this Album earlier in the year it's Great !!!!! I also gifted it to the actual in the christmas exchange.

Thats 2 lots of royalties midlake have had from me