> Your friend was absolutely right. I never cared if people pirated my bands music (or later the bands that I was managing) because the real thing I wanted was them showing up at shows, buying merch, posting us on facebook, asking events to bring us on, etc...
This model breaks down for people like me who are neither interested in merch nor in going to concerts. I just like the music.
You always represent value even if you don't pay. You might introduce the music to someone who will pay. It's freemium model applied to music industry.
Can confirm! I've sent tips to musicians who put up music under free/Creative Commons music!
My theory is if you want to see something tomorrow, the best insurance you have it is to make it profitable for the people doing it today, so giving my money to musicians means a better chance there will be more music in the future <3
That's also why I don't give money to homeless (but my country support for homeless is outstanding; when I lived elsewhere I donated to a homeless organisation - which hopefully meant that money didn't go on drugs).
This model breaks down for people like me who are neither interested in merch nor in going to concerts. I just like the music.