The Internet is supposed to be without borders
**UPDATED 9/22/09** (see bottom)
**UPDATED 9/22/09** (see bottom)
Some of my favourite bands or not from North America. Why? Well I could get into more detail about that but let's just say the "mainstream" music in North America is just mostly drivel directed by record companies with puppets doing as their told.
Some of the best bands and artists out there don't get any airtime on the radio or recognition at all. Along came the Internet to change all that. At least that was the plan. Bands can now broadcast their music online via streaming through such sites as Last.fm and MySpace. This is a great way to hear music out there that is ten times better than the crap on the radio station (yeah I'm talking to you 104.5 CHUM FM).
The downside of the Internet is downloading. I do not condone downloading music unless it is to "try before you buy." However, if you like it, buy it. This is what I have been trying so hard to do for some of my favourite bands but the problem is it's not always a viable option.
Take for example "Northern Lite" http://www.northernlite.de/
This is one of my favourite bands. Their last two albums, "Unisex" and "Super Black" were amazing. So I decide I want to buy them? TOO BAD! You see for some reason (maybe distribution rights or some other BS) they are not available to LEGALLY download via iTunes or other online retailers. Sure I could buy the import CD but why should I spend $60-$80 on a CD that I should be able to buy for $10 online?? I wanted so bad to support the artist but within reason of course. If I spend $60 I know that most of that money is going to bull shit charges that the artist does not see.
So iTunes is my favourite online retailer as it has the most selection. I go to Northern Lite's "library" and only about half their catalog is available? Why? I flip the store to iTunes Germany and BINGO - there I see both "Unisex" and "Super Black" JACKPOT. I add them to my cart and that ends the excitement right there. I message pops up and says I can only buy music from iTunes Canada store. WTF? This is so stupid. SO VERY STUPID. So iTunes tells me it's distribution rights. Ummm, what? It is electronic DATA. It is ridiculous that you say distribution rights with something that is just data. Why can I listen to the entire album streaming online from an online radio station in Germany but when I want to actually support the artists, I am told I can't because of distribution rights? Huh?
Dear record companies of the world - YOU ARE ONLY HURTING YOURSELF WITH THESE STUPID POLICIES! You know why? Well I'll tell you why. After weeks of trying to find an online retailer that will actually sell me the albums (legally) coming up empty handed...I get frustrated and turn to P2P networks for assistance. Yes, I download them from the Internet. Not because I don't want to pay a reasonable price for them, or support the artist. It's simply because if I didn't download them, I would not have been able to get them at all (again for a reasonable price - $60 for a CD is disgusting).
So let's add to the confusion. A couple of weeks ago Northern Lite releases a new single from their forthcoming album "Letters and Signs Part One". Of course I expect I will be stuck downloading it again but wait, iTunes Canada actually has it! What? Why this one? Why not all of them or none of them? Is it a crapshoot? So I figure it's because they are on another label and grin because that means I will be able to obtain all their new stuff. Fast forward to today, the day the actual album comes out. I run to my PC this morning, pull up "Northern Lite" in iTunes and...WHAT THE F#%@?!?! It's NOT there. So I immediately flip to the German store and low and behold there it is staring me in the face. What a let down.
So why the single but not the album on the same god damn label? I give up trying to figure this out. It only makes my head spin. Sorry Northern Lite...if iTunes Canada won't release your new album to Canada, I am resorting back to downloading it. If you give me your mailing address I will gladly send you the money for your last three albums - I am dead serious. Bands like you NEED to be supported. Too bad iTunes won't back you up and even worse that North American radio does not recognize nor care about good music anymore.
Please keep making awesome music. And I will keep mailing you money. But $60 to import one disc is just beyond my budget. Give me a legitimate mailing address and I will send you the money (hell it will be more than what the record company pays).
iTunes needs to drop the borders THIS IS THE INTERNET!
For those lucky enough to buy this in Germany, please visit:
http://tinyurl.com/lwyncm
Or Amazon in Germany:
http://tinyurl.com/msnafd
For those stuck with iTunes Canada...well you know where to go. Just don't forget to mail that cheque. I'll post the address if I can get it.
====================
** Well it seems that although the Epic Fail I call Itunes Canada continues to disappoint I was able to *BUY* the digital download directly from an online music shop in Germany this past weekend. It was 9.99 euros so a little more money but well worth every penny. Awesome album!
Some of the best bands and artists out there don't get any airtime on the radio or recognition at all. Along came the Internet to change all that. At least that was the plan. Bands can now broadcast their music online via streaming through such sites as Last.fm and MySpace. This is a great way to hear music out there that is ten times better than the crap on the radio station (yeah I'm talking to you 104.5 CHUM FM).
The downside of the Internet is downloading. I do not condone downloading music unless it is to "try before you buy." However, if you like it, buy it. This is what I have been trying so hard to do for some of my favourite bands but the problem is it's not always a viable option.
Take for example "Northern Lite" http://www.northernlite.de/
This is one of my favourite bands. Their last two albums, "Unisex" and "Super Black" were amazing. So I decide I want to buy them? TOO BAD! You see for some reason (maybe distribution rights or some other BS) they are not available to LEGALLY download via iTunes or other online retailers. Sure I could buy the import CD but why should I spend $60-$80 on a CD that I should be able to buy for $10 online?? I wanted so bad to support the artist but within reason of course. If I spend $60 I know that most of that money is going to bull shit charges that the artist does not see.
So iTunes is my favourite online retailer as it has the most selection. I go to Northern Lite's "library" and only about half their catalog is available? Why? I flip the store to iTunes Germany and BINGO - there I see both "Unisex" and "Super Black" JACKPOT. I add them to my cart and that ends the excitement right there. I message pops up and says I can only buy music from iTunes Canada store. WTF? This is so stupid. SO VERY STUPID. So iTunes tells me it's distribution rights. Ummm, what? It is electronic DATA. It is ridiculous that you say distribution rights with something that is just data. Why can I listen to the entire album streaming online from an online radio station in Germany but when I want to actually support the artists, I am told I can't because of distribution rights? Huh?
Dear record companies of the world - YOU ARE ONLY HURTING YOURSELF WITH THESE STUPID POLICIES! You know why? Well I'll tell you why. After weeks of trying to find an online retailer that will actually sell me the albums (legally) coming up empty handed...I get frustrated and turn to P2P networks for assistance. Yes, I download them from the Internet. Not because I don't want to pay a reasonable price for them, or support the artist. It's simply because if I didn't download them, I would not have been able to get them at all (again for a reasonable price - $60 for a CD is disgusting).
So let's add to the confusion. A couple of weeks ago Northern Lite releases a new single from their forthcoming album "Letters and Signs Part One". Of course I expect I will be stuck downloading it again but wait, iTunes Canada actually has it! What? Why this one? Why not all of them or none of them? Is it a crapshoot? So I figure it's because they are on another label and grin because that means I will be able to obtain all their new stuff. Fast forward to today, the day the actual album comes out. I run to my PC this morning, pull up "Northern Lite" in iTunes and...WHAT THE F#%@?!?! It's NOT there. So I immediately flip to the German store and low and behold there it is staring me in the face. What a let down.
So why the single but not the album on the same god damn label? I give up trying to figure this out. It only makes my head spin. Sorry Northern Lite...if iTunes Canada won't release your new album to Canada, I am resorting back to downloading it. If you give me your mailing address I will gladly send you the money for your last three albums - I am dead serious. Bands like you NEED to be supported. Too bad iTunes won't back you up and even worse that North American radio does not recognize nor care about good music anymore.
Please keep making awesome music. And I will keep mailing you money. But $60 to import one disc is just beyond my budget. Give me a legitimate mailing address and I will send you the money (hell it will be more than what the record company pays).
iTunes needs to drop the borders THIS IS THE INTERNET!
For those lucky enough to buy this in Germany, please visit:
http://tinyurl.com/lwyncm
Or Amazon in Germany:
http://tinyurl.com/msnafd
For those stuck with iTunes Canada...well you know where to go. Just don't forget to mail that cheque. I'll post the address if I can get it.
====================
** Well it seems that although the Epic Fail I call Itunes Canada continues to disappoint I was able to *BUY* the digital download directly from an online music shop in Germany this past weekend. It was 9.99 euros so a little more money but well worth every penny. Awesome album!
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