TV Schedule

Reznor Releases the Download Stats on Saul Williams' Niggy Tardust

  2. douglascaballero
  3. related topics
Disheartening at first glance. But time will tell as this record hasn't been available for that long and he hasn't toured it yet.
douglascaballero

8 responses // Reznor Releases the Download Stats on Saul Williams' Niggy Tardust

  • I think it didn't really work as well as Radiohead's model. By offering people a choice between free and paying, it almost encouraged more people to get it for free. However, Radiohead's "choose your own price" model forced users to confront a "price" box. By not explicitly stating that users can get it for free, and by presenting them with a box where a price could be entered, more people payed. I know when I got to Saul's website, I almost immediately clicked on the "free" button and decided to donate 5 bucks if I liked it (I knew I liked Saul, but just wanted to test the album)... but I kind of forgot about it in my hectic schedule. For Radiohead, I payed up front.

    The relative success in money earned could just be due to Radiohead being, you know, famous, and Saul Williams being, you know, slightly obscure, but that's my take on it.
    MrRX99
  • I think TR is too close to the problem. I understand the financial model may not be proven yet in respect to what was spent on producing the album vs. revenue received. However the fact that Saul has sold 84% of the records in 3 months that he did in 3 years with his previous bears out the fact that this is a success. In addition their are 455% more tracked "sales" which can be seen as potential audience for touring, merch, video purchase, etc. The real corner to turn is the musicians understanding that people expect the music to be free at this point. The value exchange is going to come in other forms. Congratulations Saul, Trent, and everyone else involved. I believe you are moving the ball forward and this is the evolution of music as business.
    jmacias
  • the vibes will be good
    tales of sales


    peace-in
    dreaddaze
  • I have to admit, I purchased it for free being that I'd never heard of Saul in the past. I was a little afraid to put money on an artist I have yet to experience. I liked it and will definitely put money towards any of his other ventures. Saul touring the U.S. will hopefully allow me the the chance to do so.
    MornRail
  • Image...
    i hope he goes platinum.
    phukna
  • Reznor mentions the positives though... if nothing else, the album is out there, being listened to more, being talked about more, and when it comes to touring, a lot more people will recognize the name now.

    'Free' is too tempting, i think we've learnt that now. we need to support the industry at least enough that it stays an industry! If the only option was a $5, im pretty sure the majority of people who downloaded the album would have still done it.

    I would like to know the actual finical numbers on this. a cd album release involves a lot more costs than a digital one, and it'd be interesting to see where exactly costs are cut by releasing digitally and where work needs to be done.

    it may have not succeeded, but knowing how close to doing so is valuable information right now.
    Obscura
  • niggy tardust!! genius! saul williams is one of the best artists out today. i have his first 2 cds, two poetry books, and i am an uber fan of the film slam. he is one of the the most unheard, but one the most relevant voices of our generation (x that is).
    JasonMorgan
  • well i just downloaded the album for 5 dollars...now i cant go to wendys but hey...i have more music....i think the album is great...the way they are selling it should go as a model to other people trying to get there music out to the masses... i do think that without the help of the NIN name this would be just another album out there in cyberspace waiting for someone to listen....the biggest plus about this hopefully, will be that the major record companies will see this and stop trying to stifle music that they do not control
    cheakywillie

Add your response

Login/Registration is required to add a response.