Quote:
In a recent e-mail sent out to fans, Sufjan Stevens' label Asthmatic Kitty implored fans to consider their options when buying the singer-songwriter's forthcoming album, The Age of Adz. And maybe to avoid Amazon. (Via the Guardian.)
"We have it on good authority that Amazon will be selling The Age of Adz for a very low price on release date, not unlike they did with Arcade Fire's recent (and really terrific) The Suburbs," reads the letter. "We have mixed feelings about discounted pricing. Like we said, we love getting good music into the hands of good people, and when a price is low, more people buy. A low price will introduce a lot of people to Sufjan's music and to this wonderful album. For that, we're grateful. But we also feel like the work that our artists produce is worth more than a cost of a latte. We value the skill, love, and time they've put into making their records. And we feel that our work too, in promotion and distribution, is also valuable and worthwhile."
It continues, "That's why we personally feel that physical products like EPs should sell for around $7 and full-length CDs for around $10-12 We think digital EPs should sell for around $5 and full-length digital albums for something like $8. So you might wonder why we'd 'allow' Amazon to sell it for lower than that. There are several reasons why, but mostly? It's because we believe in you. We trust you and in your ability to make your own choice." The letter then lists several alternatives to buying from Amazon, including pre-ordering the record directly from Asthmatic Kitty or Bandcamp, which will get you a digital copy on September 28, earlier than the regular October 12 release date.
What's yr take on this. Personally, I can appreciate that he feels like his work is worth a certain amount of money, but at the same time, I think he needs to adapt to the particular music-distribution landscape in order to be relevant (which can be debated I'm sure). Especially on this record, which is a definite departure from the Sufjan most people like. I think the $2.99 intro price is actually great for people to legally pick up some music they might not normally pull the trigger on legally. Also, it'd be interesting to see how many dls Amazon sells at that pricepoint. If its even a significant number. Also, Amazon doesn't just make every new release $2.99, do they? Only ones they are featuring--so by default, isn't he getting more publicity on there?
Its interesting to think we're in an age where musicians are beginning to about what their product is worth. Photographers and painters have been doing it forever--setting prices they feel comfortable with allowing their work to be sold at. Novelists, though have no say--unless they self-publish, which isn't a proven distro yet.
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