Free Tunes

So apparently, the new thing for independent musicians is to give away their albums for free digital download. This is interesting to me because when Cory last visited Toronto we were talking at length about the end of the album sale. To be honest, now that I've given it some more thought, I think this is pretty much where the industry is going.

This is bad news for big time musicians and labels but kind of good news for independent musicians. The only real way to make money as an artist now is by touring or selling your music for corporate purposes (yucky). But the relative cheapness of digital download (once the music is recorded, it doesn't cost the artist any more money to give the tunes away online) means that many artists now are offering their albums for free download and in return asking simply that you share it on Facebook/Twitter etc. This way they get their music to a bigger audience and hopefully sell more tickets to their next show. HMMM, very interesting. I took grade 11 economics (which apparently nobody at any record company ever did) so I recognize the power of cost and demand, and lets be realistic, nobody is going to demand MP3s they have to pay for when you can download them for free (granted, illegally, but we all know there is no real retribution for illegal downloads, and I am just as guilty as the next person for taking advantage of this fact).

So, I thought I'd share with you some independent Canadian albums I've downloaded this week (legally!)

Old Man Luedecke -His latest EP "Sing all About it." I loooovveee him so much. In my eyes, he can do no wrong. He is easily one of the best banjo players in Canada and based on his immense talent for writing, I will even go so far as to say he is one of the best song writers in Canada too. I've listened to "Sing all about it" a couple times and so far I'd say its a little more country than his other stuff which is maybe more folky. Go download this album and then buy all his other albums. There is a reason why this guy won a Juno. He also puts on a thoroughly entertaining live show.

The Darcys These  guys are obviously awesome based on their name. I saw them play in Halifax (unfortunately at Gus' Pub, which has the worst sound in probably the whole of the Maritimes, plus it is like Mecca for Halifax Hipsters, ugghhhh) but they are pretty kick ass live. I went upto them after the show and I was all "I AM IN A BAND CALLED THE MISS BENNETS ISN'T THAT FANTASTIC?" They agreed.

Dan Griffin "Leave your Love" Definitely, definitely download this. If you don't know, Dan is the keys in the Arkells. If you don't know who the Arkells are... then I guess I should ask you how you are enjoying the hole you inhabit? We saw Dan play solo a million years ago, I think in like second year, so 2008? Emily was visiting Kingston and we went to a kegger at Sonia's brothers apartment down on Princess and there was this band there and it was Dan Griffin. Back then we didn't know who the Arkells were so we definitely didn't know that Dan was in the band. Anyways, his solo stuff is absolutely beautiful, well written solid tunes. One of my favourites is "East Coast" which unfortunately isn't on this album. "Stars and Satellites" is included though, and that is another favourite. I am also quickly falling for one of the new songs "Lorne Park".

So go on and download these free tunes and then pass it along to other music lovers with great taste :)