Not every day you bump into articles that analyze the state of EDM using Bell curves and long tail theories so I could not help but share this interesting article on EDM written by blogger/DJ/label owner Peter Elliott.
The author argues that EDM has become a classic long tail market – selling less of more - due to two underlying currents: (1) reduced cost of production , (2) reduced cost of distribution. As production and distribution shifted from vinyl & CDs and expensive tools to more accessible distribution media and computer-based production, “the net effect of this has been (all other things equal) the spreading of available EDM-buying dollars across a massively larger pool of possible individual track purchases.” The net net impact is that it has become so much harder for the average producer to get above the “noise” level and make a decent living off releasing music; the competition is just too intense and the listeners have way too many choices. The problem is compounded by music piracy. The author points out that all of this is causing many producers to rely more and more on live performance to compensate for the loss of revenue – something we discussed in numerous posts on Giglog starting with this one.
Electronic Music Production in the Golden Days
Elliott ends the article on a pessimistic note and a key point that I don’t agree with: “Accordingly, the ultimate effect (and the key point of this article), has been the demise of EDM production as a viable vocation… From a personal perspective the most disappointing aspect of this has been the disappearance of my favourite producers who could no longer make a living out of dance music production.”
The part I feel is missing here is the fact that the same underlying currents (low cost production and distribution) are also giving otherwise geographically and commercially isolated talent access to a global (yeah, that means Huge!) pool of listeners. So while the long tail seems to have gotten longer, the “head” is also getting steeper which means there is a bigger market for the successful.
This is a very well-written article based on a sound theory. I don’t necessarily agree with the conclusion but definitely recommend reading this thought provoking piece on the current state of Electronic Music. You can read the full article here.
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- Best Electronic Music Festivals – September 2010 August came and went with lots of awesome music events...
- Music Download Cards for Electronic Music. Is this the future? It’s seems everyday now that influential people are popping up...