I’ve recently realized that my original policy on music pricing on my Bandcamp (and other future) releases is bad, hypocritical bullcrap. The original policy meaning: Free to stream as much as you’d like, pay a small minimum amount to download ($2/ep, $5/album). Why? Because I’m a poor college student now, and I want to make money from my art… or something.
Then I realized, that’s not the right attitude at all. After all, I’m not into making music for money, and I don’t want to fall into that mindset. Even worse, that was a professional stance I had while in private/as a person, I’m all “Rah rah piracy! It’s great! And it won’t kill the music industry!”
On top of that, every day I find more and more amazing music online, some far ahead of where I am as a producer, songwriter, and overall musician, all going for free. What kind of pompous jerk am I to charge for my substandard music then? This isn’t me riding on myself, it’s just being honest- I have a long way to go in my growth and learning. I put out music because I have things to say, ideas to share, and because I’m not precious about it- I’m not freaking special or something, I’m open and honest and put out what I have when I have it. The world won’t wait 5 years for me to suddenly get better.
You’re along for the ride with me. Starting now, my music is all available for full download and ownership for free. This holds true for Photogenesis (when it comes out) and a long-form composition I’m working on right now (stay tuned!)
Of course, you can still pay for it if you’d like. I’d be honored. It especially means a lot when I spent a considerable amount of money to make a recording possible, so thanks.
I trust that by making music that you all can connect to and experience something with, I’ll win you over as my fans/supporters. And as fans and supporters, you’ll contribute monetarily when you can. But that relationship starts with ME giving YOU value- the experience that I can bring about with my art. And then we’ll talk money.
Enjoy!
<3,
R
