if 12k weren't to exist as a label...

[runningonair]

/ somewhat related article

http://www.littlewhiteearbuds.com/feature/everything-popular-is-wrong-making-it-in-electronic-music-despite-democratization/

After reading that, I'm glad I'm not trying to do dance music or DJ stuff. 

I think I've pretty much come to terms with not ever making a living from music.  I'd like more time, but at least I'm not struggling to make ends meet, as I have done in the past.  I'm quite happy to focus on the music, release it when it's ready and if it sells that's bonus.

[Le Berger]

ditto on the dance & DJ stuff

Wouldn't say I'm 100% on par with the article, but good bits of it are in tune with some of my current reflections I guess. Especially when it comes to managing other sources of income and unrelated activities to leave enough time for the creative process. Used to be self employed and had 2-3 different things going that sustained plenty enough while leaving me periods of total dedication to the music. But since things slowed down I had to get a regular day in day out type of job, and these days I'm lucky if I can allow more than 30 minutes per day to music related endeavors.

Maybe some people work great on a fixed and structured schedule, can't say so myself. I thrive more on inspiration than anything I guess, lots of trials and errors, lots of 'wasted' time trying sh*t out, etc. and I feel being so confined doesn't allow it. For me anyway, and for the time being.

I guess, just like a lot of things, it's about striking the right balance.
Very much a work in progress here.

[Koda]

I guess, just like a lot of things, it's about striking the right balance.
Very much a work in progress here.

Ditto!

This article may be from a techno point of view but applies to all genres, from my viewpoint. Basically, music creation and the release of that music has hit the mythical FREE MARKET - It's an even playing field for all who wants to be involved. The only litmus test is that one own a computer and have an internet connection.

As far as the articles conclusion/solution to singling yourself out from the rest of the rat race, I couldn't agree more with returning music to a performance based only medium. However, sometimes the true performance is in the creation.

[runningonair]

As much as I appreciate performance based music.  It's not the only approach and sometimes it's just not possible.  I've written a lot of music now that just can't be performed.  Correction! there's no point performing it (unless you really want to see me press enter on a laptop).

e.g. http://soundcloud.com/runningonair/systems-out-of-chance-v1

I'd like to hear someone try to play this!

So I guess it's still not an even playing field after all.

I think most serious music fans are not going to mind shelling out a bit of cash for the music they really like and as for the rest?  If someone downloads something for free but never gets round to listening to it, why should we really care?

[haesslich]

I think most serious music fans are not going to mind shelling out a bit of cash for the music they really like and as for the rest?  If someone downloads something for free but never gets round to listening to it, why should we really care?

that's a good point. there's definitely a discrepancy between the illegally downloaded albums and the actual albums potentially not sold because of the download.
i think the problem is not in the numbers but rather it's a risk: that someone downloads something, who may not listen to it, but shares it to 100 others. it makes no difference whether the first downloader listens to it or not as long as he shares it to people, who do. but who can tell if they will? so in the end the question - again - is: is it really worth caring about this?

[runningonair]

Yes agreed, we need  to stay focussed on the music. 

It's hard going for the Pro guy that needs the income though.