How you release an album has come (almost) full circle to 1999

[@shadowsearcy]

THANK YOU, TONY!

[@chriscastlesongs]

As an Americana songwriter, I've been surprised to find that there are still radio outlets that will only spin a new release if they've received a physical copy. It's an easy way to differentiate pros from hobbyists.

[@JDCottonMusic]

Same comment

[@bobojr1000]

That 4 minute video was packs with so much vital information about recording and releasing an album. It was so informative. I can’t wait to release my Christmas album early this year on vinyl and CDs.

[@petecolorado5387]

Thanks Tony. I knew this was coming because record companies don't know what they want. They have to be TOLD what they need. That's why the INDIPENDENTS are flourishing.

[@tomdans]

Consider how much fun it is to spin a bunch of 7-inch vinyl 45s! It's a great art form, but expensive to press.

[@tonyvv]

Yes, unfortunately expensive. The most expensive steps - mastering, plating, and press setup - cost almost the same for a single as for an album.

[@axpanthia]

Growing up in the 70's, music was on radio or on vinyl. Radio was free but if I wanted to know what the singer of a song looked like I had to buy the album. Then I would sit on the couch with my head phones on and listen to all the songs while studying the album credits and album art and go into that world for the length of the album. It was a beautiful escape from reality, and I was dismayed when it all went to streaming. No lyrics that I could sing along with, no cool album art, no credits to who the musicians in the band where etc. I always liked vinyl for more than just the music on it and was sad to see it go away. I am happy it's coming around again Hurray!!! Great news

[@brianvaughan2624]

There was a few years where the industry seemed to be driving a trend toward nothing but thumb or flash drives storing all music productions, but I never agreed with that, especially from a pragmatic standpoint. All the stuff mentioned in this video is right on target, but I also have the intention of preserving archival recordings in C.D. or D.V.D. formats because with that kind of data storage they can't be erased by exposure to magnetic fields or E.M.P.s, etc. Flash & hard drives can be corrupted or erased by magnetic fields. Back in the 1990s I was even making metal tape cassette masters for folks I did recordings for, which are also sensitive to magnetics, but a nice type of physical media for those that like that option. 👽

[@HelensWillowWind]

Thank you for another great video!!!

[@DangerousDevilOfficial]

Ironic you mentioned 1999. That is the year I released my first full length cd album! 25 year anniversary coming up in about three months. And I will be releasing a limited edition of my first album identical to my first cd album in '99! I have done a couple different versions of the album over the years. But it is cool to be able to come full circle myself and re release it on cd just the way it was all those years ago! 😎

[@tonyvv]

Sounds like a great plan!

[@damonblalack-surfjazzrecor7124]

True, and don't forget about all those blogs, sites, and forums where everyone is saying they are being ripped off my spotify and everyone else. I know of an artist, with proof of his 1 MILLION STREAMS! His pay? 0.40

[@tonyvv]

That artist must have a horrible label contract - or is getting ripped off by someone. 1M streams should pay the rights holder at least $3,000.

[@damienjurado6581]

“Even if some fans never actually listen to the CD or record, that doesn’t matter.” Tony, as one who loves your videos, highly appreciates your business, and is a returning customer of Disc Makers, I must say, this comment is highly disappointing. I’m a musician first. The music IS what matters. Otherwise you’re / we’re just in the business of selling plastic. “If it’s not physical is it even real?” Yes.

[@tonyvv]

I hear you. But the fact is that most all fans who buy your records will MOSTLY listen to your music on streaming. Which is actually not a bad thing, because you might make a few extra cents from those streams too. I don’t make the rules. I just translate them… 😎

[@stebyatt5017]

It's not disappointing. It's true. I know quite a few followers of bands that collect every release they make in multiple formats & vinyl colours. They have never played most of them or even opened shrink wrap. They don't even buy for "investment" they just collect.

[@damienjurado6581]

@@stebyatt5017 You’ve proven my point. It’s a plastics business.

[@tonyvv]

The people buying your vinyl are FANS, whether they listen to the music on a record player or Spotify. They like you enough to put $30 in your pocket. Don’t dismiss them, nurture them.

[@wesleymarkmusic403]

Thanks Tony.

[@Lachenmann7]

It’s ultimately “electrons.” If they are real, then any delivery platform of them is also “real.”

[@Blanktape501]

Agree 👍👍👍👍

[@Methamill]

That is on the money making side, again business. Vinyl is about not having a digital thing to go back to. Most of those people dont even have how to listen to that vinyl or will listen to it once or give up half way because it is too much work to play a vinyl instead of stream music. It is just following a trend, it is just recycling, squizing a bit more. But having no streaming will never happen and so will vinyl never have that value. Just an observation. That is what americanos do, follow the trrend. It is not about the vinyl, just another shiny toy.

[@tonyvv]

🤷🏼‍♂️ I’m a pragmatist. Trend or not, vinyl has been growing for the past 15 years (that would be a LONG trend!). But if it leads to artists making more money from selling physical media, I’m all for it.