ONTD

4:25 pm - 05/01/2007

Free album to change the music industry?

The Crimea

A little known indie band from Camden, London may be about to revolutionise the music industry.
The Crimea, who were dropped from Warner Music after one modestly successful album, will give away their second album in its entirety, reports British newspaper 'The Guardian'.
With physical album sales in freefall, they feel that by giving the album away they will significantly increase their fanbase, thus maximising their ability to make money from touring, merchandise and licensing deals.
The album, 'Secrets Of The Witching Hour', was funded by the band and is now available to download from their website, www.thecrimea.net
Crimea drummer Owen Hopkin told the paper, "We've always strived to get the music out to as many people as possible. We want to harness the power of the internet. If it's on there for free we'll reach more people than the orthodox route of selling the record."
The experiment will undoubtedly be watched closely by both the music industry, and other indie bands undoubtedly excited at the prospect of bypassing the increasingly archaic routine of seeking a recording contract.

http://undercover.com.au:80/News-Story.aspx?id=2018

I haven't listened to it yet (still downloading) but let me know what you think...

*Edit: WARNING! Before you download listen here http://www.myspace.com/thecrimea - apparently these guys are so shit they had to give their album away ;-)

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[info]daubachsgirl23 1st-May-2007 11:29 am (UTC)
the brian jonestown massacre also has all their CDs on their website to download for free.
[info]herr_s 1st-May-2007 07:22 pm (UTC)
Yeah, except their newest (2005) EP We Are The Radio.
[info]windingspring 1st-May-2007 11:40 am (UTC)
the download page isn't popping up any download windows for me.
that sucks. is this band any good anyways?!
i was just checkin it out for new stuff to listen to...
[info]722am 1st-May-2007 11:42 am (UTC)
THE CATARACS
[info]jpopson 1st-May-2007 11:43 am (UTC)
Motherfucking site I CLICKED LIKE 500 TIMES and nothing came up.
[info]monicaxoxo 1st-May-2007 12:08 pm (UTC)
me neither! WTF is this? No pain No gain thing? huh? LMAO
[info]briannaeffel 1st-May-2007 12:51 pm (UTC)
Hmm, it worked for me... I still can't listen tho, my bb's trying to sleep and the computer is right outside our bedroom ;-(
[info]theweed 1st-May-2007 02:44 pm (UTC)
There's a little button under the Download image which reads: Can't download? Click here.

It worked for me.
[info]seilens 1st-May-2007 12:04 pm (UTC)
IAWTC
[info]dade_jericho 1st-May-2007 11:48 am (UTC)
A few months back I made a website for a band and told them if they wanted to get some decent exposure that they should give their album away for free. Seeing as they spent nearly 8k recording it I figured they'd get some press coverage for taking the gamble but they shot down the idea and streamed the stuff instead. Now streaming media isn't the way to get an article in a national newspaper plugging your bandname and website but meh, who wants exposure and coverage and a billion unique hits anyway.

[info]chaneloflove 1st-May-2007 11:54 am (UTC)
So what are you saying? I'm a little slow today. Sorry.
[info]dade_jericho 1st-May-2007 12:09 pm (UTC)
I dunno, I'm hungover. I think I was venting that I suggested this course of action and it got shot down and now some other band does it and they're getting loads of exposure for it whereas I'm still waiting to be paid for the job because no-ones buying the album.

Yeah, I think that was it.
[info]briannaeffel 1st-May-2007 01:00 pm (UTC)
It's a nice idea, eh? Screwing over the record companies to keep all the profits for yourselves. I bet the rec company execs thank their lucky stars someone like Brits isn't smart enough to think of doin something along the same lines.

BB what Simpsons episode is ur icon from? I love, love, LOVE The Simpsons but I don't think I've ever seen that scene before! BTW, I am in Australia and we are really fucking behind here. They only just released season 9 for sale and I think that's the same season that's currently screening on TV :-(
[info]gemmi_joo 1st-May-2007 12:06 pm (UTC)
damn that i can't be bothered to download.
[info]briannaeffel 1st-May-2007 01:02 pm (UTC)
R u a fan?
[info]himynameistinna 1st-May-2007 01:12 pm (UTC)
No, I've never heard of them before, I just thought that some people might like to hear what they sound like before downloading the album.
[info]paparatti I haven't clicked on any links or anything but1st-May-2007 12:21 pm (UTC)
I don't get it. If you can't sell an album, surely your only option IS to give it away for free. Turning it into a publicity stunt and making it seem like something special... you have to be pretty stupid to think this is, well, anything worth talking about.

Why they didn't set up their own shop on their website, with a free streaming option, I do not know. At least that way they could make some money back.
[info]the_o_in_god Re: I haven't clicked on any links or anything but1st-May-2007 12:37 pm (UTC)
but they haven't even tried selling it yet so you don't know that it wasn't selling.
[info]the_o_in_god Re: I haven't clicked on any links or anything but1st-May-2007 12:41 pm (UTC)
i take that back, i just listened to it, *shudder*
[info]briannaeffel Re: I haven't clicked on any links or anything but1st-May-2007 01:08 pm (UTC)
I still haven't listened to it coz my fiance is sleepin and the computer is outside our room. What a pity it's crap! Makes me think they must be egomaniacs - like they think they're really good and that the record company that dropped them can't recognise talent so they go out on a limb to prove how good they are... only to realise that no, they are shit. Hee hee!
[info]fallbreak 1st-May-2007 12:27 pm (UTC)
Harvey Danger did this a few years ago.
[info]breakfastjack 1st-May-2007 12:43 pm (UTC)
that icon is freaking me out.
[info]fallbreak 1st-May-2007 12:47 pm (UTC)
LOL When I saw it I couldn't decide if it was freaky or cute. [info]fritters made it :]
[info]allizzon 1st-May-2007 01:14 pm (UTC)
love the cat
[info]piebalding 1st-May-2007 03:33 pm (UTC)
I was going to say this.
[info]igiveyoumylife 1st-May-2007 12:35 pm (UTC)
Well at least they're consenting to us pirating their music. Really if I didnt download all the free music I do, I'd still just be listening to Wu-Tang and Montell Jordan.
[info]brina_is_sassy 1st-May-2007 03:11 pm (UTC)
LMAO!
[info]ionracas 1st-May-2007 12:35 pm (UTC)
I heard an interview with their manager on the radio yesterday. I got the feeling it's a spiteful act. Their music is only meh.
[info]jpopson Just listened..1st-May-2007 12:46 pm (UTC)
They kinda suck.. badly.
[info]lilmisstwirly 1st-May-2007 12:59 pm (UTC)
lol same!

[info]allizzon 1st-May-2007 01:14 pm (UTC)
arent you scared of getting *sued*??? ahhhhh
[info]_r_e_q_u_i_e_m_ 1st-May-2007 01:09 pm (UTC)
sweet jesus that is one terrible singer and nightmarish lyrics. i can see why theyd have to give it away.
[info]jpopson 1st-May-2007 01:18 pm (UTC)
Seriously. I mean if I recorded myself taking a shit it would sound better than this. :(
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