KenB wrote:While we’re talking about marketing, I noticed that my Nora Jones, Deluxe CD, “Little Broken Hearts” has 12 songs -- plus a separate bonus disc with 3 more songs, including a second version of one of the songs which was already on the main disc. It’s titled “Out on the Road” -- call it value added, if you like.
Here’s a sharp marketing strategy. A second version of this album called an LP (long play?) version was released on the same date without the 3 bonus tracks.
Finally, there is a vinyl release which is described presently on her website as 180 gram, double white, vinyl disc packaged with a bonus 2 by 3 foot poster. So how long before the re-mastered version appears?
Now we should remember, not every artist will get this multi-version-release treatment. Nora is special. Her sales are through the roof. I read somewhere she’s 28 million strong and counting. So that’s why we get choices.
On the other hand, some artists are literally giving their music away for free on their own internet websites and these bands hope to recoup their costs by living permanently on the road. The consumer’s choice is take it for free, or leave it. Such is life today. Maybe it’s safe to say the mega-buck signup recording contract days are gone forever. These blokes try to make a living on the road. Good luck with that plan.
So I think concert prices today reflect the fact that album sales are in decline and costs to get around with a full kit have risen enormously. Where will the money come from? Has to be ticket sales. But there is a limit. It can’t be easy anymore. Bet they want to bring back the good old days of the 60s and 70s.
Yes, I'm one of those fools who bought the CD of Little Broken Hearts and the vinyl 2LP edition. Fortunately, we didn't get the deluxe version in the UK but I'll probably download the extra tracks if they ever appear on Amazon. Talking of having to tour to make some serious money. New bands certainly do have to sell themselves and play as often as they can to make any money at all. I've just booked a young British outfit called Jaywalkers (similar to Nickel Creek) who I'm really impressed with and I want to help them. I should break even on ticket sales and the band should sell a few CDs so it's a win win deal. My friend Pat D has just finished his fourth CD which is licenced for the Far East (The Broken Orchestra) but he's put a 6 track EP together to promote it which cost him less than 50p a copy to produce, so you can do it for a reasonably small investment.