REFLECTIONS – PRICELESS COMMENTS - Part 1 -

If you're a loyal follower of Sutil Sensations, you'll already know that in the previous issue I combined your comments with my own opinions, and, if you're okay with it, I'm going to continue with this approach…
I remind you again that the comments are not complete due to space limitations; you can read them in full at davidgausa.com.

hashtag:
‘'(...) In general, I think there's been a poor adaptation on the part of the music industry and producers (who lately are practically one and the same) to this whole information society we've been living in for the last few years. In the past, the number of producers was much smaller, as the means to edit and publish work were more expensive and, in most cases, they were subject to record producers and their respective record labels, distributors, and other "bloodsuckers" that music encountered on its way to the public. Therefore, music reached people through mass communication channels like TV and radio. With the advent of the internet, everything changed. Producers became their own record labels and could sell their tracks the day after mastering them. This led to a much more diverse musical landscape, and so did the public, who, while having many more "favorite bands" and perhaps less interest in them, were much better informed about their activities and new releases, acting as influencers for their acquaintances and new fans.'.

– Recording albums? Concerts already account for more than 90% of artists' income.
Lady Gaga says she doesn't care if her music is pirated.’

In short, to your question: "Record albums?", I answer: NO ALBUMS, NO CONCERTS!!
Hashtags, the internet, adapting to a new market with lower record label profits, proliferation, increasing possibilities… YES!!!! But regarding the underlying issue, at what price?

Victor de Lomana:
‘'(...) Piracy is a complicated issue... (...) Much of the answer to this question can be found in many of the interviews we've read in Deejay magazine over the years with DJs and producers. Almost all of them have one thing in common: in one of their paragraphs, we can read how the interviewee can't help but drop the usual cliché: "The truth is, I feel privileged to be able to make a living doing what I love most in the world, electronic music." (...) And this is where I draw my conclusion: life can be very hard. And in fact, it is. Dude, if you can't make a living doing what you love most in the world, then get a job, like everyone else. And if you love electronic music so much, when you get home after work, after fulfilling your obligations as an individual in society (...) you get down to doing what you love most in the world: DJing, producing, creating... That's how the rest of us mortals make a living. And if one day you become so good, so incredibly good, that you convince society that your music is worth paying for, (…) and consequently you can make a living from it, hats off to you!! I take my hat off to you. Quit your job and live off it while you can. And of course, I'll buy your music.

(…) In my case, I'm an amateur DJ and I consume music illegally online. But I still stick to the tradition of going out to buy vinyl every Friday afternoon. It's the highlight of the week. (…) I'm just trying to suggest that we all have to adapt to what each situation demands and have a very clear set of priorities, because sometimes we lose touch with reality.’

Relax, Victor. Even though you expressed a brave opinion, naming names, I assure you the government has other priorities besides going after those who, like you, download music illegally. It's true your case has some mitigating circumstances, like many other music lovers. You say you buy vinyl every week… Bravo! It's a shame there aren't more like you so many current projects would be released directly in digital format. I'm sure you buy (almost) everything you like, but… BEWARE! I don't think everyone agrees with the "if you're good, I'll buy your music, and if not, I'll download it" mentality, and, in quotes, "screw you and get your act together and make better music." I believe that with the effort and work of a professional, one cannot be so 'drastic', and even more so if we take into account that when I talk about someone in this section, believe me, I am talking about great professionals, regardless of whether they are with this group or that one, or on this label or that one of 'mega fashion or prestige', or sponsored by the coolest or 'mega most' of the DJs/Producers on the scene.

Given this situation, we could draw odious comparisons: Do we stop paying an actor because we think they don't perform their role as well as someone else? Do we stop paying a newspaper writer because we don't like their article as much as their colleague's? I don't think it should be like that. Many administrators, accountants, lawyers, or designers—to name a few artistic professions—certainly aren't "top" in their field, and yet they won't stop working at something they might be good at. Well, this is the same. Before, you could earn a decent living making music, even if you weren't one of the "top artists" you mentioned, and this, my friend Victor, is no longer possible. Again, something to think about…

To both of you, I am SO grateful that you took a few minutes to share your opinions in this humble section. It makes me so HAPPY that there are people who say such sensible things with such respect. Although I disagree with some points, and share much of your thinking, long live democracy and freedom of expression!.

And you, professional, amateur or music lover… are you up for it?
Leave your comment in the 'REFLECTIONS' section of davidgausa.com.