MIR. For artist to gain control of CD sales, one must dangle the appropriate incentive, like the chance to win free concert tickets( prizes in side the CD, and lots of them ) or visits by band members or signed musical instruments to reel back the public interest.
Could you imagine sitting down with our favorite artists once you open the CD and find the golden ticket inside.( I got that from willy wonka ) :)

I know that would bring me back to the record shop.

EVO

There's been no "decline in recorded music".

There's only been a "sales" decline from major labels.

Recorded music is in a FAR healthier state than it's ever been. This is because major companies no longer have a monopoly on studio recording equipment. ANYONE, who has just several thousands of dollars to spare, can set up a home studio and, with experience, can achieve a technical sound quality equal to the best of the best professional studios from all past eras.For just a few thousand dollars extra, you can set up a professional studio, operating as a business, and put out a product equal to anything. Computers, digital technology and MUCH improved professional microphone technology (all with massive price reductions) have enabled all this to happen on a MASSIVE world wide scale.

Artists will no longer have to rely on belonging to any major label in order to produce the best music possible. The diversity of music making today FAR exceeds what we had dished up to us in the past.

Eventually, independent artists will totally dominate the market. That will still take some time, I think probably another 20 to 30 years or so. The old concept of charts, which have always been manipulated in various ways, will eventually be a thing of the past. Artists will no longer need to rely on corporations, and will no longer need to have their music making manipulated for the benefit of the "bottom line".

Yes samsung, your right on the money! Record labels went out with the demise of the vinyl disc and home studios are with-in anyone's reach now days, and I say go for it! Artist have been ripped off long enough!

EVO

Agreed. Totally agreed.

Yeah the sales decline has been in the major labels ball park, but with these labels dominating the industry, its hard not to make a generalisation about the entire recorded music industry!

Artists have been tredded on for too long now and i definently think its the time of rise for the independants. BUT...Major record labels have caught onto this movement and are already making moves to ensure they have a slice of the pie!

A friend of mine has recently been approached by a major record label, Universal (im not allowed to say who this artist is). This artist is extremely independant and has the complete fan base and atributes of an indie artist. Th record company has said to them:

We will give you $50,000 to write, record and produce your album.
You, the artist, will release it under your own independant label and Universal will want no ties in the marketing or credits. *only in fine print*

This way, the artist is still portrayed as an independant to the public, so remains to build an indie fanbase and has access to a major labels distribution channels. BUT the major still recoups the advance and gains the same old slice of the pie from the artist.

Decieving Much?

I kind of like the idea. Why does it seem so wrong though?