In a time when music release dates meant something, we all had to wait on Tuesday, depending on where you live, to roll around for a that new album we were so rigorously anticipating. But in this new age of technology we live in; as release dates come and go, a big portion of the public have already obtained the music awaiting its debut illegally.
Where the release date of music fluctuates worldwide, in a recent article on Billboard, it looks as if a there is a universal day to be set forth. Tuesday marks the day here stateside that we receive music through digital platforms and in stores – legally, and Monday for the UK. But in an anti-piracy effort as early as July 2015, we could all be looking to Friday for new music in stores and online.
The effort is anticipated to crack down on illegally obtaining music prior to the release date and/ or after but poses a problem to high profile artists as if all countries were to release an album on the same day, artists could not make appearances like they do now on different continents to celebrate the release on their varying national music release dates. Small time independent labels aren’t completely satisfied with the change as they like the release date earlier in the week; and with the change, music charts would need to be adjusted worldwide.
In all honestly, it sounds like a desperate move from the record labels to gain a little extra cash. By now we are all familiar that music sales is a dying side of the music business and has been that way since the 90’s. Money is made in touring these days. If anything is to blame, blame the fact that everyone can make music now and distribute it. When it used to take a million dollar studio to make an album and a huge label to promote it, it now takes a laptop and a notion of composition with a little help from Hype Machine and Soundcloud. Sure there are those that pirate music and devalue the music they aren’t buying but let’s face it, there isn’t as big of a number of the populous buying music. With streaming services like: Pandora, Soundcloud, Sirius Radio in accordance with labels, music sales may be a booster in ones career but not a means to make a living in most cases as the public may be listening to your music through the plethora of platforms available, but not necessarily buying it.