To All Org'ers & fans of Wendy & Lisa:

I am posting this in both White Flags threads to make sure all eyes see this.
If you like the music & know of friends who would like it...Please buy them a digital copy, or encourage them to buy one.

We have reached a moment in this digital age, where the control line between art & commerce has shifted back into the hands of the artist, the creator. Everyone of us who appreciates said art can share in the responsibility to support this art.

Those of you who have been here for some time remember the year 1996 when Prince, then TAFKAP/, separated himself from Warner Music after 20 years together. As BedIScream ("official" spokesperson for Paisley Park ) I was fortunate enough to be at the epicenter of 's transition from the "slavery" of the established record distribution system, to the "freedom" of the independent system. I followed his will & whims, offering my own insight as "a fam" and an "executive in this virtual record company". I watched as his predictions of a "virtual Record Company" came to pass, then grew & evolved (or devolved) into what it is today for Prince... a black screen at the end of an all but dead URL. The collateral damage, dozens of music files that no longer play for disheartened fans/friends/fams/lovers/haters et all; save for those with the foresight to "work around" DRM limitations (burn & re-rip anyone?) I have also watched, as a producer & former executive of my own music & production label, the entire distribution plane shift, due in no small part to Prince's early digital efforts, along with the evolution of Napster & The MP3, Today we are in an era where we can be gratified "NOW!" If we want to hear something we can hear it "NOW!" See a movie or TV show...click & "NOW!" We can pay for what we like with a couple of clicks, we can also simply download it for "free" in as many clicks. This has struck fear into those who have traditionally reaped the lion's share of the profit from the sale of art, the movie studios, record companies, & top of the food chain "gatekeepers". They have sought many ways, legislative, judicial, & social, to put the genie back in the bottle, with very mixed results. The flip side is that now, for the first time really, the same channels that are a nightmare for "traditional" mass distribution systems are a dream come true for the creator of artistic work. "Paint a perfect picture"? you can share it with the world in a click...Wrote the "Great American Novel"?...just click & here it is ...Have a "Song of the Heart" to share?... click & shared. But how do you receive compensation for your work when it's as easy as a to distribute it freely on a global scale? The bugs in this new paradigm are still working themselves out, & growing pains are not yet gone, but systems are in place & evolving that allow for instant gratification & compensation of the artists to happen with the same click.

Radiohead, a group with a massive following, and one who continues to provoke artistically release their latest work to the digital masses, with a "pay what you want to pay" pricing structure. Although quite a few simply ed & copied freely...a large number of folks actually paid for the album, in both it's digital & later physical forms. People will still pay freely, for "free" music. The result of the "web experiment"? Three million in sales! 100,000 discboxes shipped! 1.75 million physical CDs sold!
http://www.pitchforkmedia...ode/146529 & http://www.iht.com/articl...php?page=1

Apples Itunes continues to change the distribution landscape, Selling five million songs eight weeks after it's June 2004 launch. Today total songs sold are in the neighborhood of 4 billion +, not including TV show & movie sales, & the physical Ipod units in all their variations. The digital model is working.

At one point in history artists sought out patrons, those with the means to provide for the artists living, housing, & needs in exchange for the creative work of the artists. We have come full circle & are now able to be patrons of the art we love.

I now hold in my hard drive, Wendy Melvoin & Lisa Coleman's latest work, a deluxe package for myself, whose physical components will be delivered in a few months, & a digital only package for a good friend & fellow fan of W&L's music. Delivered in 6 minutes, both brought with a few clicks , & 100% of the money going to Wendy & Lisa and their distribution partnership with TopSpin. In a I have supported art & artistry, I have & will always support Wendy & Lisa's artistry & work. I implore all of you to do the same. If you can't afford to share an extra copy now...wait until you can & do it then. The music will be ready & waiting for you...like coffee

Yelocloud (TAFKA BedIScream)
[Edited 12/9/08 6:45am]
[Edited 12/9/08 6:46am]
[Edited 12/9/08 14:54pm]
[Edited 12/9/08 15:30pm]