How 2008 May or May Not Have Contributed to the Slow Death of the Music Industry
By Petey V on Jan 7 2009
Figures on 2008's music sales show both predictable trends and some surprises, according to the stats posted on music industry blog Coolfer. While album sales declined overall, dropping 15% to 430 million units, certain formats saw spikes both expected — digital album sales up 32%, with track sales up 27% — and surprising — vinyl LP sales nearly doubling, with a 92% jump. Vinyl's resurgance in popularity was forecast by statistics released earlier this year (TMT News), but this increase in sales is even more substantial than would be expected from the spring and summer figures. Coupled with a 20% decline in CD sales and the aforementioned spike in digital album sales, it seems vinyl may be acting as a minuscule buffer in the decline of physical album sales.
Meanwhile, the increase in digital sales — with 1.07 billion tracks and 62.8 million albums shifted digitally in the last 12 months — may not be quite as impressive a statement about the shifting dynamics of the music industry as it initially seems to be. A study from the tail end of ’08 shows that, of the 13 million tracks available for sale online, 10 million went completely unsold in 2008. Even more shockingly, the study found that 80% of digital sales revenue came from repeated purchases of the same approximately 52,000 tracks. Presumably, this leaves many independent artists, or even major-label artists without hit singles, gasping for air in the digital music market.
How this bodes for 2009 is anyone's guess, but my advice would be to keep your eye on two trends: the surge in vinyl sales and the concentration of digital sales increases around a comparatively small cloud of artists and songs.
Recap (via Coolfer):
- Album sales: down 15% to 430 million units
- CD sales: down 20% to 362 units
- Digital album sales: up 32% to 62.8 units
- Track sales: up 27% to 1.07 billion units
- LP sales: up 92% to 1.9 million units
BMG Music Service’s “12 for the price of one” Club Says “No” (To New Members)
By Mango Starr on Jan 7 2009
Remember BMG Music Service's "12 CDs for the price of 1" deal (with "nothing more to buy ever!")? Sure you do. It was everywhere in the ’90s. I myself, Mango Starr, took advantage of this mail-order club at least a few times, even using my brother and sister's names to amass a decent collection of classic rock, jazz, and more classic rock. I think I got my first Nas CD there.
Well, late last year, it was announced that BMG Music Service has decided to stop taking new members. A spokesperson declined to comment on whether or not the service will be shut down entirely and said that BMG is "still very actively engaged with our existing member base and will be making more changes to serve them...more effectively later in 2009." Though, the company has already announced that its Music Points Program will cease to exist by February and there has been word that all BMG music clubs will be discontinued in 2010, according to Billboard. Not good signs.
Meanwhile, the official BMG Music Service website invites music lovers to join Yourmusic.com instead. Guess it's hard to beat "Unlimited for the price of nothing," you fucking pirates. When are you going to participate in capitalism??
Björk Becomes Iceland’s Knight in Swan-Feathered Armor with Earth-Friendly Venture Capital Firm
By Heidi Vanderslice on Jan 7 2009
Finally, a good reason for Björk to make the headlines! No airport brutality or fits of rage here; instead, reports of Björk being a damn fine businesswoman AND model citizen of her home country, Iceland. The songstress has teamed up Audur Capital in Reykjavik to begin the BJORK venture capital firm, an outfit keen on throwing its dough at certain companies in order to kickstart Iceland's bummed-out economy. Here comes the awesome (from Audur Capital's website): "The fund will invest in sustainable businesses that create value through the country's unique resources, spectacular nature, vibrant culture and green energy."
It is the hope that BJORK's standards and aid will encourage diversity and sustainability in Iceland's national economy. Audur Capital has already dropped 100 million Iceland kronur (about $826,000) and is looking for other investors to fill the pool by March 2009. And of course, Björk is the official cover girl for her firm, which is sure to set those rich dudes' hearts a-flutter. Wish them luck! Team BJORK!
Mirah Will Finally Let Us Know What A Four-Year Album Sounds Like
By Melissa Muenz on Jan 6 2009
Mirah has never been a lover of the limelight. She doesn't do a ton of interviews. She takes her time. And, in this instance, she's taken over four years to get us her fourth full-length solo album, a (spera). The long-awaited follow up to 2004's C'mon Miracle (TMT Review) comes after a lot of time spent touring small clubs and participating in quirky collaboration efforts. Joyride: Remixes, for example, found her first three albums remixed by friends like Bryce Panic and YACHT, while 2007 brought Share This Place: Stories and Observations, a collaboration with Spectratone International (read: Lori Goldston and Kyle Hanson writing songs about insects).
Lori Goldston is just one of many friends appearing on a (spera). Mirah also brings along Chris Funk, Tara Jane O'Neilm and Phil Elverum -- all of whom she's worked or toured with in the past.
(a)spera still won't be here until March 10, but what's a few months in the scope of four years?
(a)spera tracklist:
