A
MESSAGE TO ELEPHANT MICAH LISTENERS,
ENCOURAGING FILE
SHARING AS WELL AS ARTIST COMPENSATION
(AUGUST 2007)
Dear Listeners,
I’d like to make a few comments about the online downloading and uploading of Elephant Micah recordings. It’s been gratifying to see this practice spread in the last year or two, and to find out about several corners of the “blogosphere” and “deep web” where my music is being discussed and in some cases shared electronically. Clearly, this is having a positive effect in terms of generating interest by word of mouth, which I far prefer to advertising and other
more structured forms of promotion.
However, it is also apparent that the downloading and uploading of Elephant Micah has taken on a life of its own. As I learned when certain unfinished/discarded recordings began widely circulating in 2005, I
truly have no control over what happens to material once it (intentionally or unintentionally) leaves my hands.
Under these circumstances, all decisions regarding fairness fall to the
listeners themselves.
As an independent artist with
negligible record label backing or commercial distribution, my only opportunity for viability comes through
gaining direct and mutual respect from my audience. It is no surprise that this
relationship is harder to foster in the realm of file sharing, where the artist has no
immediate presence, and can only exert indirect influence.
Now, let my try to exert this indirect influence.
On the one hand, I fully recognize that the spread of Elephant Micah recordings online is desirable for the following reasons:
1) efficient word of mouth “promotion”
2) availability to listeners who avoid tangible media
3) listener access to “out of print” recordings
And for these purposes in particular, I hope that Elephant Micah uploading and downloading continues to expand. At the same time, I also hope that participants in this sharing will engage in a general discussion/thought process, with me and with each other, about fair artist compensation
(and other relevant issues).
Aside from a rare paying gig, the only way I receive compensation for my music is through the direct purchase of recordings by individual listeners. Their burden is technically unjust, since others acquire the same music for free online. Yet they volunteer to pay for the music, partly as a donation and (much appreciated) gesture of support. I’d like to request that those who download the music also consider their responsibility to contribute financially, either through direct donation or by buying hard copies.
Perhaps more so than in the case of a commercially-backed artist, these seemingly insignificant personal decisions will have a measurable impact on the future course of Elephant Micah. Tours and recordings, it seems, cost money. (Especially as I attempt to explore options other than touring solo, recording on cassette tape, and releasing CD-Rs.)
Please bear in mind this frame of reference, and share it with others, when uploading and downloading my music.
As a side note, I should also acknowledge that the lack of official for-purchase downloads and high number of “out-of-print” Elephant Micah recordings are problems in themselves. I’m continuously searching for the right approach to these issues.
If anyone reading this has any input on how they’d like to see Elephant Micah move forward, please don’t hesitate to let me know.
Paypal donations for downloaded music can be made by following this link:
Other forms of donation payment can be sent to
Joseph O'Connell
9206 S. Old Palmyra Rd.
Pekin, IN 47165
Those who pay for a downloaded recording are eligible for a significant discount on a hard copy or eventual reissue of the same recording.
Thanks for all of your interest and support!
Joe O