LISTSERV mailing list manager LISTSERV 16.0

Help for ARSCLIST Archives


ARSCLIST Archives

ARSCLIST Archives


[email protected]


View:

Message:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

By Topic:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

By Author:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

Font:

Proportional Font

LISTSERV Archives

LISTSERV Archives

ARSCLIST Home

ARSCLIST Home

ARSCLIST  April 2015

ARSCLIST April 2015

Subject:

Re: Record Store Day and the Ambivalent Branding of Independence

From:

Tom Fine <[log in to unmask]>

Reply-To:

Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>

Date:

Thu, 16 Apr 2015 11:52:12 -0400

Content-Type:

text/plain

Parts/Attachments:

Parts/Attachments

text/plain (161 lines)

Hi Robin:

The article headline misses the point. There may or may not be a long-term need for increased 
capacity (Chad Kassem and GZ apparently felt strongly enough that there is a need that they put a 
good heap of money on the table to increase capacity; United reportedly plans to add presses but has 
given no details where they will come from). The "squeeze" is an artificial shortage, like Enron 
playing the spot market for power in California. RSD is creating a fake "urgency" and the record 
companies are following SOP and getting stuff completed at the last possible minute. This "shortage" 
would likely be solved or nearly solved if RSD-type release events were spread over the calendar 
year.

And, it's already been found in court that it's OK for Coke and Pepsi or P&G and Colgate-Palmolive 
to switch off promotion weeks during the calendar year, so it would be fine for the three major 
record companies to divvy up the events over the course of a year. In fact, it would be better in 
some ways for that to happen. If Sony knows it's got April and August, for example, it can focus its 
release schedule and in-house planning to have a corporate-wide machine going at those times. If UMG 
has May and September, for example, it would be focused on those time periods and it would probably 
stretch resources too thin to try and undercut Sony during its months, and the same is true for Sony 
during UMG months. The end result will be fewer limited resources spent on crowded retail space and 
more focused PR machines aimed at specific "clear field" promotion periods. The resulting focus and 
saved resources COULD be used to better develop artists, oversee album production, discover new 
artists, etc. Right now, the whole promo and retail model is very chaotic and everyone is fighting 
everyone all the time for the 2-second attention span of modern consumers. The losers are artists 
and consumers, and I think the lower quality product and unsatisfied consumers are a big part of 
what's driving the downward trend in music purchasing and consumption. I know this scenario is 
somewhat anti-competitive, but I see recorded music as competing against all other media, especially 
on-screen video and social media. It's basically a competition for the 2-second attention spans.

-- Tom Fine


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robin Hendrickson" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2015 11:39 AM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Record Store Day and the Ambivalent Branding of Independence


> One reason why it might be a good idea to spread RSD out over more
> than one annual day is that many releases are not ready on time.
>
> You missed this month's deadline? That's OK, offer it next month.
>
> This article below touches on the capacity squeeze as well as the
> missed deadlines.
>
> Presses step up to the plate as Record Store Day highlights need for
> increased production capacity
> http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashville/presses-step-up-to-the-plate-as-record-store-day-highlights-need-for-increased-production-capacity/Content?oid=5018663
>
>
> On Thu, Apr 16, 2015 at 8:54 AM, David Lewis <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> I don't mind record store day at all. These manufacturers say, "We can't
>> keep up with the production demand;" well, in a way that's a nice problem
>> to have.
>> As to gouging RSD-themed products as time goes on, I've had the experience
>> of seeking out at least two such releases months after they debuted and did
>> not experience more than a slight bump in the price, though I was looking
>> for reissues of things for which there wasn't a huge demand. These were the
>> 30+
>> years delayed domestic release of Public Image Ltd.'s first album and a
>> superb reissue of "Food for Thought," the first album by The JB's, which
>> hardly
>> anyone bought initially.
>>
>> Just think of it: an event that makes people excited about records, about
>> recordings. Sure there will be bumps in the road and carping from those who
>> think
>> the whole thing can be done better in countless ways, or say that we'd be
>> better off without it after all is said and done. And I have talked to
>> record store
>> managers who say that taking on all of that stock is a hardship for them,
>> but some say that it sells throughout the year so there is a back-end
>> benefit of
>> it. As long as it's only once a year than most can bear it, and the busy
>> day they have in April often makes up for it as they move stock that day
>> anyway.
>> So for now I'm down with it, and look forward to RSD every year, even if I
>> can't get out to celebrate -- and this year looks like one of those years.
>>
>> David N. Lewis
>> Hamilton, OH
>>
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Apr 16, 2015 at 7:32 AM, Carl Pultz <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>>> I can ignore the special merch and vestiges of corporatocracy with no
>>> problem when there's a party going on. I'm not alone. In Rochester there
>>> will be parties. The Bop Shop, doing well after their arduous move a few
>>> years ago, is showcasing a large collection they acquired from the estate
>>> of a local musician that looks really interesting. There is always
>>> something to buy, new and old. They'll have bands all day, with more
>>> activities on Sunday, beer tastings, and craft coffee.
>>>
>>> Record Archive is putting on a show, featuring a few more of the hottest
>>> bands in town, more beer, and food trucks - including my fav, La Petit
>>> Poutine. They highlight, "Tons of RSD limited releases - giveaways - fun
>>> for the whole family - tons of $1 records*."
>>>
>>> Needle Drop is necessarily participating in a small way. It's a small
>>> place. So is Lakeshore Records. Not sure if the CD Exchange ever did much
>>> with RSD, but it is gone anyway, morphed into the Hi Fi Lounge, a CD store
>>> with some vinyl and a gear store that is emphasizing turntables. Rather
>>> than RSD this year, they are sponsoring a popular record fair to be held
>>> May 16 that brings out the collectors. Another sign of the times: none of
>>> these three brick and mortars have a Web site. Just social-media.
>>>
>>> That's what I know - probably leaving someone out. We're apparently an
>>> anomaly; Rochester's got record stores. And buyers of records, though I
>>> suspect there is still more supply than demand. Still, out of all the
>>> confusion and distraction and change, some young people are seeking music
>>> as foreground activity. A week doesn't go by that several don't ask about
>>> where to get a receiver or a turntable, CHEAPLY, which gives a clue to how
>>> important that GDP comparison is. The record stores have found themselves
>>> in the second-hand gear business. I caution people that looking only at the
>>> major metros, where the major media is, can give a skewed image of the
>>> overall reality. How much of the used record trade gets seen by Soundscan?
>>>
>>> Whatever the resurgence of vinyl means to the future of physical media, it
>>> is the survival of experienced retailers that forms its basis*. And those
>>> that did survive the lean years must owe something to RSD and the idea that
>>> a national event lends credibility to what started to look like an
>>> anachronistic business. When it comes time to renew a lease or sign a new
>>> one, that sort of thing probably makes a difference.
>>>
>>> Thanks for sharing that, Eric.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List [mailto:
>>> [log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Eric Cartier
>>> Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2015 7:40 PM
>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>> Subject: [ARSCLIST] Record Store Day and the Ambivalent Branding of
>>> Independence
>>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> The eighth annual Record Store Day (RSD) is set for this Saturday, and
>>> Eric Harvey, Pitchfork contributor/Assistant Professor of Communication at
>>> Weber State University, wrote an interesting article about RSD:
>>>
>>> http://pitchfork.com/thepitch/736-record-store-day-and-the-ambivalent-branding-of-independence/
>>>
>>> I regularly visit record stores to look for and buy used vinyl, I
>>> occasionally purchase select new releases with accompanying download cards,
>>> and I've attended three consecutive RSDs, but I'm not sure I'll participate
>>> in RSD this year. The manufactured exclusivity of the often overpriced
>>> records and their unequal distribution/availability are problematic.
>>>
>>> What do you all think about this recorded sound holiday?
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>>
>>> Eric Cartier
>>> Digital Librarian
>>> University of Maryland Libraries
>>>
>
> 

Top of Message | Previous Page | Permalink

Advanced Options


Options

Log In

Log In

Get Password

Get Password


Search Archives

Search Archives


Subscribe or Unsubscribe

Subscribe or Unsubscribe


Archives

March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
December 2003
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
August 2003
July 2003
June 2003
May 2003
April 2003
March 2003
February 2003
January 2003

ATOM RSS1 RSS2



LISTSERV.LOC.GOV

CataList Email List Search Powered by the LISTSERV Email List Manager