Cheryl JMetallica - Backflip on internet downloads?
In a very surprising twist in an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, Lars Ulrich, the drummer for Metallica indirectly suggested that they are possibly looking at offering their fans low cost or free downloads of their music.
Ulrich stated, “We're looking at how we can embrace everything. We want to be as free players as possible. We've been observing Radiohead and Trent Reznor (of Nine Inch Nails) and in 27 years or however long it takes for the next record, we'll be looking forward to everything in terms of possibilities with the internet".
This will certainly shock a few people as Metallica very famously sued the peer-to-peer service Napster in 2002 because they were opposed to free distribution.
When asked if their stance on downloading has changed, he said that “it was never about music per se. We have MP3s for sale. We have a vault where you can download shows from twenty years ago for free, full-on and it’s been there for years. You can download recent shows days after they happen for a cost.” According to his interview it seems the problem with Napster was more about whose terms the downloading was on. The Metallica guys felt it should be the artist's.
Metallica’s current record deal with Warners expires after they release their next studio album so in Ulrich’s words, “we are looking at ways to embrace everything”. Although not directly saying they will offer free song downloads in the way that Trent Reznor and Radiohead have, from his interview it seems that this may be a possiblility.
Hopefully this will mean more and more bands will keep up with the times and make their music more accessible.
Source www.nme.com
Ulrich stated, “We're looking at how we can embrace everything. We want to be as free players as possible. We've been observing Radiohead and Trent Reznor (of Nine Inch Nails) and in 27 years or however long it takes for the next record, we'll be looking forward to everything in terms of possibilities with the internet".
This will certainly shock a few people as Metallica very famously sued the peer-to-peer service Napster in 2002 because they were opposed to free distribution.
When asked if their stance on downloading has changed, he said that “it was never about music per se. We have MP3s for sale. We have a vault where you can download shows from twenty years ago for free, full-on and it’s been there for years. You can download recent shows days after they happen for a cost.” According to his interview it seems the problem with Napster was more about whose terms the downloading was on. The Metallica guys felt it should be the artist's.
Metallica’s current record deal with Warners expires after they release their next studio album so in Ulrich’s words, “we are looking at ways to embrace everything”. Although not directly saying they will offer free song downloads in the way that Trent Reznor and Radiohead have, from his interview it seems that this may be a possiblility.
Hopefully this will mean more and more bands will keep up with the times and make their music more accessible.
Source www.nme.com
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i guess ive never seen any stats either way that suggests downloads create more interest in emerging bands, or detracts from record sales?
im glad metallica are keeping an open mind
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I think there are artists out there questioning the percentage their record label takes as a cut of the sales of CDs and are now considering cutting out the middle man and putting the profits in their own pockets, where they belong.
There are good arguments on both sides as to whether it helps or hinders sales but it's great that bands are exploring all options.