Joey Barro
(The Traditionist)
March 2009
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THE FINGERTIPS Q&A Joey Barro (The Traditionist) March 2009 |
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Every month, the Fingertips Q&A sends five questions about the state of music in the digital age to one actual, working musician. I've gotten to where I'd much rather find out what someone who's out there trying to earn a living wage in the music industry thinks about all this stuff than read the bloviations of one more blogger or technology expert. This month's Q: From your perspective as a musician, what's one good thing about digital downloads that people don't seem to be talking about? And what's one bad thing? A: Truthfully, I don't really pay attention to the advantages or disadvantages with digital downloads. When it comes to me as a listener, I typically listen to vinyl, both old and new. As a musician, at least with regard to digital downloading, I let my label deal with the details of such issues. Q: There's an idea floating around that says that music should ideally be treated like a utility, like water and electricity-- that it'll be "on tap," everyone pays a little each month and gets unlimited access. No more paying by the song or album, in other words. What do you think about this concept? A: Usually more money is going out of my pocket than in. As a musician and songwriter, I play music and write songs; I don't care how people get the music, just as long as they get it and I don't care what I get in return, just as long as I can continue writing songs and playing music. Usually I haven't paid my electric bill in months and I haven't showered for days. Q How has your life as a musician been affected--or not--by the existence of music blogs? A: I like the idea of blogs. I think blogs create a forum for music to exist, whether for discovery and perpetuation, or just analysis and discussion. My life as a musician, however, has not really been affected by the functionality and existence of blogs. I will continue to do what I do as a musician whether blogs love it or hate it. Once the music is out there it is out of my control. I am glad they exist as long as they help to get the music into the hands of those who may not have ordinarily found it on their own. I, personally, hardly ever read blogs. Q: What are your thoughts about the album as a musical entity-- is it dying? Or are reports of its death greatly exaggerated, as the old phrase goes? A: I'm not sure. It seems like the accessibility of single songs is where it's at nowadays. Maybe that hurts, maybe it helps. As far as I'm concerned, I like listening to music in the album form. That seems to offer a lot more to me than anything else. I think there's a reason people started making albums in the first place. Q: A lot has been made of the assertion that in the future, people won't buy music, and artists will make a living only via performance. What are your feelings about that idea? A: I think that is stupid. That's like saying no one will buy paintings anymore and only go to watch the artist paint. Live performances and recordings are two completely different art forms. People like to own things. The recording arts will continue to service that desire. Also available: the Fingertips Q&A with Dave Derby (Gramercy Arms) (February 2009) the Fingertips Q&A with Shane Nelken (The Awkward Stage) (January 2009) the Fingertips Q&A with Mark Northfield (December 2008) the Fingertips Q&A with Mike Reisenauer (Pale Young Gentlemen) (November 2008) the Fingertips Q&A with Brad Armstrong (13ghosts) (October 2008) the Fingertips Q&A with Dirk Darmstaedter (September 2008) the Fingertips Q&A with Jonatha Brooke (August 2008)  © copyright 2009 Fingertip Productions |