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St. Cloud State University
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MP3s hurt prerecorded music industry, live bands
By Britt Johnsen
Published:
Thursday, January 30, 2003
It's no new news that MP3s, since their inception, have begun a downward spiral for the industry of prerecorded music.
But it has taken a harder fall at the onset of the New Year more than it has in the past. With Best Buy having closed 110 total of its Sam Goody and Suncoast concepts, the music industry in Minnesota and surrounding states are obviously suffering. In fact, there was a dramatic 11 percent drop in album sales. Retailers nationwide, including chain stores like Tower Records and FYE are closing as well.
Now businesses must sell re-released Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures, storage cases and blank CDs to up their sales in profit.
MP3s are just too convenient for people to pass up and it has become an increasingly popular way of obtaining number-one hits and rare songs, despite the Napster ban that occurred years ago.
Student Chris Burns agreed with such beliefs and pointed out the fact that the music industry was doomed from the beginning.
"It was inevitable that this was going to happen," Burns said.
Not only is this bad news for businesses both large and small, but this means more than decreased album sales on a possible downward spiral to absolving a culture of varied music sales; it means things for bands who play live as well.
Yes, it's true; live music will never go away, no matter how bad the album sales get. In fact, the music scene, near and far, is not really noticing much of a difference at all.
"The St. Cloud music scene is more prominent than it ever has been," said Troy Rahn, manager of the Red Carpet. "I don't think we've suffered from (MP3s) at all."
Even places that serve more of the metropolitan area, such as Minneapolis/St. Paul, haven't suffered from it.
Chris Olson, director of operations and employees at First Avenue/7th St. Entry of nine years, makes the point that live music has to give its all no matter what is happening; serving the public is what they are all about.
"We can't really afford to take the risk, but we do it anyway," Olson said.
The downtown Minneapolis bar and club has always stayed true to sounding good and sticking with what the public wants. Regardless of what is happening financially; respect is their main provision.
"We just try to stay alive and develop the next trend," Olson said.
However, bands may not be as positive as the bar owners. Though money is not entirely what music is about, those who might depend on album sales and the sales of merchandise at shows are getting a little worried.
"(Though MP3s are good because) it gets a local band's music out there, and they might have a better chance at being heard, it sucks for new bands because record companies try to get out that 'one hit.' People just download that 'one song' (and get it for free, without taking a chance on the record) even if the rest of the CD is good," said Joe Laudenbach, drummer for alternative rock band Truth Alex.
As time ticks on and the sound of MP3s play, an answer will hopefully be provided. The projection of sales for Musicland and Best Buy companies are looking up, however, due to new plans to increase sales.
Things may not completely go kaput, but they may very well keep changing more dramatically than ever before.
"What's worked in the past may not always work in the future," Olson said. "(However,) everything comes full circle."
