I think we should all be able to admit two things here: 1. Andy didn’t do this before. Other artists have, but not Andy. And that’s significant, because it seems to tell us how HE feels about this stuff under ordinary circumstances. He’d rather do something else to make money and perform for fans than a Patreon or whatever format he’ll use. So, if you have misgivings about this, you’re probably at least somewhat correct, and Andy agrees with you. 2. These aren’t ordinary circumstances. All sorts of folks, in and out of the music industry, are finding themselves having to do different things than they normally would to stay alive, because the normal avenues of making money disappeared in an instant through no fault of anyone. If you know more than five people in America, you know someone doing something just like this to make it. So, if you care about Andy Hull the human being and not just Andy Hull the musician who entertains you, you should be able to say, ‘yeah, I get it.’ This isn’t normal. And that’s the point.
In 1992, bands put out songs for FREE on the radio to gain exposure to draw fans to buy albums and go shows if they liked what they heard. REM actually released a total of 6 songs free from a 12 song album. Don’t think this was the best example for you to use. Album was called Automatic for the People, not Free for the People. If you liked what you heard, hopefully you bought the album. "Drive" Released: October 1, 1992 "Man on the Moon" Released: November 21, 1992 "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" Released: February 5, 1993 "Everybody Hurts" Released: April 15, 1993 "Nightswimming" Released: July 15, 1993 "Find the River" Released: October 21, 1993
.K, bro needs to get over themselves and stop making such a big deal out of artists monetizing their work. Artists have every right to. Sorry you don't get to listen to Andy Hull rarities with a few thumb presses, but you will survive and you will move on. The only one creating a "class system" of fans right now is you homie.
Also, anyone can listen to Andy’s new demos albums on bandcamp without paying a thing. Obviously if he decides to tier any new releases on a Patreon style site, they wouldn’t be as easily accessible. But if your point, K, is that new music should be released for free and you don’t like my R.E.M. example, then how about all the rarities that they released with the 20 year+ anniversaries of their records? Had to either pay for streaming or buy the new editions of those records. Artists by and large didn’t have their rarities blaring on the radio stations back then. So if Andy wants to charge a premium for non-album content, then ok for him.
I think these are both great points and well laid out. Strange times. I do think the Patreon thing is about stabilizing an income as a band/artist/human/family. When you have regular costs, regular income is key. I am on board with almost all of the idea of fans getting more if they pay for more except when it will become “new exclusive” music. What it will do is transition into fan “exclusive albums”, or people bidding to hear or get albums. I wasn’t a fan of seeing “Amazon Exclusive”. I like seeing multiple platforms where people can buy and support.
.K., Let me personally tell you, you’re wasting calories bringing these concerns to the table about MO or Andy. Pay artists if you can. If you can’t, or don’t want to - youtube is a free to use platform that people upload music to everyday. For free. You’re overthinking this, man.
It’s like I’m in an episode of Portlandia. Anyway. Let go of your sorrowful groaning (SM demos) is different than Sinful Math. He posted some clip from it a long time ago. I’ll try to dig it up.
We don’t need a class system for you to be cool, you are already. I have just always been a fan of music accessibility. I liked when bands would book venues for all ages so younger fans could attend. I liked when bands would post a news updates on their sites instead of having to sign up to a mailing list, or when bands would sell recordings in multiple formats (record, Digital or CD) because not everyone has a record player, CD player or portable device. I have some small and large friends who always would praise bands when they are small or XXL shirts at merch tables. Also, if a band has new material, I want every fan of that band to be able to discuss it. I get demos, covers, b-sides kind of fall into a different category of not essential material. And to you point earlier, you tube and stuff like that exists. Teen’s me, 20’s me and 30’s me have very different amounts of disposable income, but my love for bands and music is always the same, and I brought up the idea of ‘class’ of music fan thinking of how I would have felt then and now.
I’m gonna be honest, with peace and love peace and love, given the world as it is right now - you are greatly overreacting. While I appreciate your views on access and your obvious love of music. None of this is essential. None of it. New, old, live, or covers. It is all a luxury. It isn’t electricity, heat/air, or food. No one is forcing anyone to purchase anything. This is solely to support an artist you enjoy in a trying time, if you yourself are able.