As an informed grocery shopper, when you are looking for your produce do you look for the “made in Honduras” or “product of Mexico” sticker? No. Unless of course you are in Honduras or Mexico. As a smart shopper, you buy local. You are aware that buying locally means you are making steps -yes, small steps, but steps - towards a sustainable environment. Not only that, but it shows that you not only care about your body, the environment, but also the economy. Good work, shopper.
Why should music purchasing be any different?
Since I’ve started working at a CD/Record store I’ve had countless shoppers say to me “well, I can get this at Wal Mart for two dollars cheaper..”. As if this were Thailand and I could barter with them. While holding back snapping at them saying “well then, GO THERE YOU WHINY FART!” I simply think “are these people for real?!”.
There are two main things that are contributing to the demise of the CD/Record store industry; our demanding digital world, and mega monster companies.
The creation of music was not always like how it is today. There was a time when an album told a story. It was meant to be heard a certain way. Songs were fashioned to a specific, well thought out order. I find this rarely to be the case anymore. When you open up a book I doubt that you choose chapters at random and start reading (unless it’s a ‘Goosebumps: Choose Your Own Adventure’).
Companies like Apple (who - don’t get me wrong, I do love) create amazing things like, iTunes. iTunes is awesome, yes. But iTunes can easily be a friend or a foe. Beyond having a place to store all of your music, you can also buy music through iTunes. And, if that weren’t enough there is a genius living in your iTunes who will also create playlists for you if you so wish. All with very little effort required from you. It leaves you free to sit on your couch and have all your needs met. Music porn.
When I was living abroad, iTunes was my best friend. I couldn’t just head out to a record store to buy the latest Jack White record. Hell no. It didn’t exist where I was. Luckily I was able to pre-order and have iTunes automatically download what I want as soon as it becomes available. This was great. But something didn’t feel as genuine. iTunes (and other downloading) discourages the physical aspect of music. A part of music most people don’t acknowledge. Everyone wants the cheap and easy fix, the instant gratification. All at once the hard work, and grueling hours that the musician put into whatever it is you sought out has been reduced to almost nothing.
I, myself, am a record collector. I like that traditionally there is a rhyme and reason for the songs on side A, and the songs on side B. I like that it’s not an easy task to just change the song. I like that to hear the second half of the album I need to get out of my seat, lift the needle, flip the record, and place it gentle to start again. I like that I can hear the small specs of dust that fall onto the record. I like how if someone jumps, the song skips. It’s physical. If I want to play a good, fulfilling, sweaty game of hockey I don’t turn on the wii and have at it with the other mii’s. No, I grab my skates, a stick and puck and head to the closest ODR. Music shouldn’t be any different.
I get it though. You hear a song at a bar. You ‘Shazam’ that song. You go home and then [illegally] download the song. It’s a quick fix, you’ll likely delete the song in a month. That Ke$ha song is catchy, but not catchy enough to spend money on. And, no you have no intention of buying her album. Fine. But, is it fair that ‘Ramble On’ be forced to be played before or after her? Not really, no. It’s doubtful that artists intended for their songs to be played in shuffle having their hard work mashed in with your quick fix.
I feel that musicians are aware of this, making them create hit songs, rather than hit albums. Because music is so easily accessible it is often also under appreciated. You think you appreciate the music you just downloaded? Trust me, you would treasure it a lot more if it meant decided on buying your dinner or a new record. Not saying you should go broke to love music more. I’m simply saying when you, yourself, are working to keep your musical tastes satiated you will likely feel a deeper connection to what it is you are listening to. Which is what was likely intended by the musician.
The second impeding force affecting the slow, painful downfall to record stores is mega companies. Which brings me back to my initial point. When customers say to me at work in a whiny voice “well, I can get it at Wal Mart for a cheaper price” it really urks me. Duh, of course you can get it at Wal Mart for a lower price. Honestly, Wal Mart can probably afford to sell it for an even lower price.
Think about it. Wal Mart treats its staff (and I’m not referring to the staff on the front line bagging your buys or stocking the shelves) as if they’re serfs. Meaning they can get away with paying them nearly nothing. Wal Mart then buys CDs for, let’s say, $0.99. Then, Wal Mart turns around and will sell you that same CD for $15. Wal Mart is making about $14. Not to mention when you are buying from Wal Mart, you are showing that you support this behavior, and all that comes attached to it.
An independant CD/Record store might buy a CD for, maybe, $10 (for example). They will then sell it for $16. Say this is the same album that Wal Mart is selling for $15. Yes it is one dollar more. But look at what you are contributing to. You are contributing to your local economy, creating jobs within your community, helping the environment, all the while still showing support to the musician. In this case the independent record store makes $6. That $6 will go to all the expenses that go along with owning a business. In a world where the majority of consumers aren’t buying music, whether it be through iTunes or in a physical store, that’s not very good.
It’s easier to say than to do in practice. Given you are a music fan, why not shell out the dollars to show that you care. It’s better for you, for the musician, for the small business, for the economy. Everyone wins. The $10-18 you might spend on a new album is worth the life long, rich experience you will get with it.
Yes, cheesiness intended.
