Those who know me also know that I have very little in the way of ethics, especially when it comes to the entertainment industry. Why would I when they clearly don't either? As a result of these loose ethics, I've downloaded the tracks and I have to admit the CD is very certainly Fiona Apple and is certainly a good listen.

Yes, I said it again, I like Fiona Apple.

Shamelessly stolen from here:

It’s the touring, stupid.

Imagine for a moment:

An artist in the music industry does a few years in corporate hell, all the while gaining tons of fans, selling tons of albums, and even wins a Grammy. When her contract is up, she writes and records a new album, independently, at her own cost… and astonishingly, releases it for download on the net, for absolutely not one dime. This is perfectly legal, since she’s no longer the “property” of any record label. The songs are full-length, high-quality versions, and no doubt cost money to record, right? Well where’s the profit in that?

It’s the touring, stupid.

Think of how many new fans you can acquire when you distribute your songs for free. They don’t have to choose which new album they can afford this week. They can have yours immediately, just sitting at the computer, any time they want it. They tell their friends. The friends may have never gotten into your old stuff, or somehow never heard of you, but they figure it’s free and legal, so what the hell. They like some or all of what they hear, and pass it on. So it goes. Now you have tons of dedicated fans, and hopefully tons of new ones, and they want to see you when you come to their town this summer. They PAY to see you. You gave them the gift of your music for free, and cut out all the evil corporate middlemen, and voila! You reap the rewards of respect AND profits, all while visiting city after city of screaming fans who spent their time and money so very willingly to come see you.

Fiona Apple is a shining example of what could be. She has not done exactly what the above paragraphs say. Not yet, anyway, and not exactly on purpose. Sony shelved her third album, which was completed two years ago, because they didn’t hear a single. No matter that she won a Grammy for the platinum-selling Tidal, and her sophomore album, When The Pawn…, also went platinum. They found that her third album just wasn’t radio-friendly, in Clear Channel terms, surely. She’s no Usher or Beyonce, after all.

Now her fans have taken matters into their own hands, and after two years of patiently waiting for Sony to come around, and even petitioning them and letting them know that the album would indeed sell, they have given the virtual finger to Sony and leaked the entire album in high-quality mp3s online. My guess is that the rest goes as my “imaginary” story above goes. She tours in support of the new album that drew no revenue, and gets an amazing response, full of brand-spanking-new fans and all. Still she profits. Not that she cares about that so much. But she can, and that’s the point.

I personally petition Fiona now, start booking shows. You may have not personally released your music to the bloggers, but you’ve outwardly allowed it. If you book it, we will come. I know I will.

—Sarah Vetter
wheresarah [at] yahoo [dot] com

More information HERE as well.

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