THE FINGERTIPS Q&A Haley Bonar June 2009

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, the St. Paul-based singer/songwriter Haley Bonar steps up to the plate. Big Star, her third and most recent album, was released last May on Afternoon Records. The title track was featured on Fingertips in July '08. Q: After all is said and done, what's your favorite thing about digital downloads? And what's your least favorite thing? A: My favorite thing about digital downloads is iTunes--I love that I can go get a classic song or listen to samples by an artist before I decide to purchase. Same with TV shows as I don't have cable. Least favorite thing: with the accesibility of digital downloads, it's easy for people to forget about record stores, walking in there and looking at albums, in the flesh, buying them, and opening the package and looking at liner notes and putting it in your record or CD player. I still enjoy that. 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: Haha! Whose idea is that? Maybe we should get our health care like a utility, or our gasoline, or groceries, before music is just another pay-by-the-month thing. Q: How has your life as a musician been affected--or not--by the existence of music blogs? A: To be quite honest, I'm not too hip on the whole blog world. However, I have checked out blogs when I've done an interview or got a record review and I think they're a great way of communicating. I don't think blogs should necessarily replace magazines, but they are more cost effective and earth friendly. I think music blogs are a good thing, and they have affected me in a positive way so far. 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: Well it's no secret that album sales have had a major decrease in the past few years or so due to downloading. But I am a firm believer that there are still many people who relish buying a new record, or finding something unique and unexpected at a record store. People still love to buy CDs/LPs at shows, because they want to take something of that experience home with them. 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: My feeling is that times change, and there is really nothing one can do about the future of music in its modern form, as it has always morphed into something smaller and convenient (now its new form is so small you can't SEE it!!). As long as I can sing, perform, or make records, that's all I can control and be content with. Previous Fingertips Q&A interviews: Jill Sobule (May 2009) David Harrell (the Layaways) (April 2009) Joey Barro (The Traditionist) (March 2009) Dave Derby (Gramercy Arms) (February 2009) Shane Nelken (The Awkward Stage) (January 2009) Mark Northfield (December 2008) Mike Reisenauer (Pale Young Gentlemen) (November 2008) Brad Armstrong (13ghosts) (October 2008) Dirk Darmstaedter (September 2008) Jonatha Brooke (August 2008) © copyright 2009 Fingertip Productions