Sound Matters.

There?s a revolution underway, and it?s been all over the news lately. It?s sure to affect you – even if you don?t have a computer. So I?d like to explore some of the issues and get your feedback. To facilitate this, I?ve set up a chat room at my website – and if you know of some other chat rooms to link to, please let me know.

To begin with, just in case you have been living in a cave lately, the issue concerns the new technology that allows a company like Napster to facilitate distribution of music via the Internet. So far, so good.

However, in addition to the musicians who ask to be shared in this way (typically, new bands or ones without a contract with a record label), Napster has enabled over 22 million people to download copyrighted music, including albums by major artists like Metallica, without any payments to the artists or record labels. Needless to say, Metallica is not happy about having their music given away for free. In fact, they have been one of the most vocal and articulate opponents of Napster, and are a leading force in the major lawsuit against Napster.

Now, like you, I was not very familiar with the music of Metallica. Heavy metal is not my soundtrack of choice. However, I can certainly agree with the reasoning behind their spokesman and leader, Lars Ulrich.

Interestingly, in all the genres affected, I?ve never seen any mention of New Age or World music. Does that mean our albums are not being pirated? Or does it mean we are still such a small part of the picture that we are essentially below the radar? Or does it mean that New Agers have so much spiritual integrity that they wouldn?t knowingly steal music without paying? Or does it mean that most New Age aficianados aren?t sufficiently computer savvy to participate?

Probably a little of all of the above.

Creativity, and Killing the Golden Goose
It seems that part of the explanation is generational. Many of the college-age kids, who have been in the forefront of developing and using this technology, see nothing wrong with downloading songs. Indeed, many only download songs, or ?singles,? rather than albums. Hit songs are more popular than ?golden oldies,? although the latest statistics indicate that many fans are stocking up on entire music libraries for free rather than paying a cent for the CDs.

?What?s the problem with that?? some may ask. The problem is that in so doing, the artists are deprived of their royalties, first of all. Without the ability to derive income, many musicians would essentially be ?out of business.?

I?ve read some apologists for Napster who say that musicians should earn their money by touring and playing live. Indeed, many do. However, many do not, and can not. The economics and logistics of touring often lose money for bands; and unless underwritten by a corporate sponsor such as a beer company or a tobacco company, the show would never go on most of the time.

Second, the record companies also need to make money to keep their operations alive. Yes, some do make excessive profits, it would appear (and that is being addressed separately). But it also costs a lot of money to run those operations, place those ads, etc.

The major music labels, as well as smaller independents like my own company, are all working on offering digital downloads of our music. The big difference is that in our versions, the artists will get paid royalties, and the companies will receive appropriate compensation as well.

Exactly how that will happen is still unknown. But at least it stakes out a viable paradigm that is a win/win rather than a win/lose as it currently stands.

Clearly this is a wakeup call to the music industry – and to the movie industry as well. I?m interested in your thoughts, and look forward to hearing from you.

Until next time, be well.


		Napster, Integrity and Your Music Library There?s a revolution underway, and it?s been all over the news lately. It?s sure to affect you – even if you don?t have a computer. So I?d like to explore some of the issues and get your feedback. To facilitate this, I?ve set up a chat room at my website – and if you know of some other chat rooms to link to, please let me know. To begin with, just in case you have been living in a cave lately, the issue concerns the new technology that allows a company like Napster to facilitate distribution of music via the Internet. So far, so good. However, in addition to the musicians who ask to be shared in this way (typically, new bands or ones without a contract with a record label), Napster has enabled over 22 million people to download copyrighted music, including albums by major artists like Metallica, without any payments to the artists or record labels. Needless to say, Metallica is not happy about having their music given away for free. In fact, they have been one of the most vocal and articulate opponents of Napster, and are a leading force in the major lawsuit against Napster. Now, like you, I was not very familiar with the music of Metallica. Heavy metal is not my soundtrack of choice. However, I can certainly agree with the reasoning behind their spokesman and leader, Lars Ulrich. Interestingly, in all the genres affected, I?ve never seen any mention of New Age or World music. Does that mean our albums are not being pirated? Or does it mean we are still such a small part of the picture that we are essentially below the radar? Or does it mean that New Agers have so much spiritual integrity that they wouldn?t knowingly steal music without paying? Or does it mean that most New Age aficianados aren?t sufficiently computer savvy to participate? Probably a little of all of the above. Creativity, and Killing the Golden Goose It seems that part of the explanation is generational. Many of the college-age kids, who have been in the forefront of developing and using this technology, see nothing wrong with downloading songs. Indeed, many only download songs, or ?singles,? rather than albums. Hit songs are more popular than ?golden oldies,? although the latest statistics indicate that many fans are stocking up on entire music libraries for free rather than paying a cent for the CDs. ?What?s the problem with that?? some may ask. The problem is that in so doing, the artists are deprived of their royalties, first of all. Without the ability to derive income, many musicians would essentially be ?out of business.? I?ve read some apologists for Napster who say that musicians should earn their money by touring and playing live. Indeed, many do. However, many do not, and can not. The economics and logistics of touring often lose money for bands; and unless underwritten by a corporate sponsor such as a beer company or a tobacco company, the show would never go on most of the time. Second, the record companies also need to make money to keep their operations alive. Yes, some do make excessive profits, it would appear (and that is being addressed separately). But it also costs a lot of money to run those operations, place those ads, etc. The major music labels, as well as smaller independents like my own company, are all working on offering digital downloads of our music. The big difference is that in our versions, the artists will get paid royalties, and the companies will receive appropriate compensation as well. Exactly how that will happen is still unknown. But at least it stakes out a viable paradigm that is a win/win rather than a win/lose as it currently stands. Clearly this is a wakeup call to the music industry – and to the movie industry as well. I?m interested in your thoughts, and look forward to hearing from you. Until next time, be well. Steven Halpern is an award-winning composer, recording artist and sound healer of over 60 albums. For over 25 years, he has been an impassioned advocate of the healing powers of music for health, healing and spiritual growth. He has just established the Steven Halpern Foundation to help bring SOUND HEALING to a much wider audience in hospices, hospitals and schools. For more information on his music, visit him at his website at www.stevenhalpern.com or call 800 909 0707 for a free newsletter and catalog.



		by Steven Halpern