Seether Believes the Music Industry Will Become All Digital in Near Future
The way we consume music has changed dramatically in the last 10 years, as the rise of file sharing sites like Napster and the late Steve Jobs' introduction of the Apple iPod and iTunes irreversibly changed the face of the music industry. CD sales have plummeted in the last decade while digital downloads, legal and illegal, have replaced their physical predecessors. Music fans may have enjoyed the benefits but this has left many bands and record labels at a crossroads; their music can spread quicker and farther but revenue has decreased. Seether are just one of many artists who do not see things going back to the way they were.
The headliners of this past year's Wingstock were in town last month for the Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival. Seether released their latest album, Holding Onto Strings Better Left to Fray, earlier this year and so far the response has been positive for the South African rockers.
"It's been really good, better than any album we've had before," said bassist Dale Stewart. "We went away for awhile after the last album. I think being away for awhile left people wanting a little bit. We debuted at number 2 which is the highest we ever had. We can't complain."
As successful as Seether have been, they more than likely could have taken it to a higher level pre-Napster and iTunes. Frontman Shaun Morgan doesn't see the music industry reliving its golden age.
"With record stores disappearing and people being more concerned about getting stuff for free, the industry is pretty much on its way out," Morgan predicts. "It's so easy to steal stuff so why are people going to pay for it if they don't have to?
Morgan continues: "Things like artwork will disappear. There won't be CDs. There won't be product. It'll all be digital. Unfortunately, unless purists put out albums, that sort medium I think will just ultimately become obsolete."
However, all hope is not lost for artists. Stewart believes bands need to learn how to change with the times to survive.
"The whole industry is changing and you need to try and adapt to and change with it," advises the bassist. "There's all these social network websites, all these things that are hugely popular or important for bands now. And for a couple of guys that started back when you had things like demo tapes that kids of today don't know about, it's kind of hard to keep up with it."
"You just got to get out there on the road and tour. People may be stealing the music but hopefully they hear a song that makes them want to come to the show. Hopefully they have a good time and leave with a t-shirt."
Watch the rest of the interview below. Do you still buy CDs and records? Tell us why or why not below.
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