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| It's now Friday folks, for all future music releases, according to Betty White |
Does this mean people will buy more vinyl or cds? More than likely not. Does this mean more streaming music will happen because of new tunes on Fridays? Well errr... ummm, inner monologue says, "hey quit being a pessimist", but probably not. Although if you want your music heard and work to stay relevant, here is the solution in a nutshell.
1. Write tunes that your life depends on
2. Have a good attitude and a competitive approach
3. Don't be lazy, accomplish something every single day
4. Reread, 1 through 3 over and over again whenever in doubt
Read more articles like this one on Billboard.com
"After seven months of semi-public back-and-forth, a conversation instigated in part by Aussie piracy and Beyonce's surprise release in December of 2013 has resulted in the global recording industry accepting Friday as the release date for new albums. As reported in August, the shift will take place this summer.
According to a statement from the International Federation
of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which represents labels worldwide,
a study found that a majority of consumers who bother to care which day
new music comes out prefer to hear it on Fridays and Saturdays.
"Music fans live in the digital world of today," wrote IFPI head Frances Moore.
"Their love for new music doesn't recognise national borders. They want
music when it's available on the internet -- not when it's ready to be
released in their country. An aligned global release day puts an end to
the frustration of not being able to access releases in their country
when the music is available in another country."
The proposal wasn't met with hosannas from every corner of
the industry, however. While most agreed that a globally agreed-upon
day for new music was best, there was some consternation over the choice
of Friday. "The only justification for a Friday release date would be
if it resulted in a net increase in sales," Entertainment Retailers
Association Kim Bayley said
in early October. (Sales weren't central to the IFPI's justifications
for the move, though combating piracy could be considered the same
thing.)
Just this week, Beggars Group chairman Martin Mills said:
"I fear this move will also lead to a market in which the mainstream
dominates, and the niche, which can be tomorrow's mainstream, is further
marginalized. I fear it will further cement the dominance of the few --
and that is exactly what it is intended to do."
Rich Bengloff, head of the American Association of
Independent Music, released this statement on the news: "A2IM supports
the concept of a global street date but, for a variety of business
reasons as spelled out in our previous comments, there are a number of
business hurdles that make Fridays less optimal for the United States
marketplace, and independents in particular. That said, as part of the
worldwide music community, A2IM will endeavor to make the transition as
smooth as possible for our members and our commerce partners and a
success for our artists' fans."
The Department of Record Stores, an affiliation of
independent record stores in the U.S. and Canada -- had proposed the
world adopt the current U.S. release day, Tuesday, arguing that easing
the transition for the top two music markets in the world (North America
and the U.K.) would save costs for smaller operators in the business.
Regardless of the opposition, Friday it is. A press
release of quotes in support of the change from a long list of industry
leaders -- RIAA head Cary Sherman, Concord president and CEO Glen Barros, outspoken Orchard founder Scott Cohen, Rdio CEO Anthony Bay
and representatives from Sweden, Spain, Italy, Australia, Germany and
France's trade bodies -- clearly shows there's little room to turn this
car around."
