Easy access - good or bad for artists?

[jonnyhambone]

I'm a bit of a Luddite so I rarely do too much work to get a pre-listen, same hand, I'm frugal (poor) and try to make sure I'll really dig what I spend money on. I tend to check out reviews and listen to the song or 2 that gets a pre-release stream. Spotify or eMusic is slick for checking out albums that are already out. I think it's probably good for artists considering the digital d/l's that so many people do exclusively for their music consumption. I buy lots of music in hard copy - mostly lp's - and am more likely to buy something I've heard at least a song or two of...in fact, I keep a list on my phone of things I know I want and others I've heard of but need to check out further before pulling the purchase-trigger. Speaking of the easy access, like your Bandcamp ex., I find myself going directly to band's sites or at least a label's site to check it out and often order directly from them...gotta be good for them to get my $ directly I'd think. Same if I know I'll be seeing someone in concert soon...I'll wait and buy an album from their merch. table which has led to a couple fun things like a Jessie Sykes album and a Buffalo Tom album both signed by the entire band to me personally.
I'm still guilty of spontaneous purchases based on a cool cover or random moment of weakness...
also, thx for the Richmond Fontaine heads-up...watched the video that they have out for it and will pick up the vinyl next week!

[Davey]

...also, thx for the Richmond Fontaine heads-up...watched the video that they have out for it and will pick up the vinyl next week!

Cool, I thought about splurging for the vinyl too, but it's from Diverse in the UK and so is pretty expensive here, over $32 at Amazon. Should be some better deals at the indies, though. Same deal with the last one, which was also very good if you like the style they've adopted on the last few records, kinda laid back and literate, with a couple rockers to mix it up. This one is my likely record of the year, though. Really amazing. The CD is a bit loud, (assuming the FLAC download is the same as the CD), as was the MP3, but not too bad. Still sounds OK. Vinyl would probably sound nice. Great band and amazing record. John Askew produced this one and gives it some of that noir-esque sound he brought to that great Tracker record of his own, Polk. That Live Farndale, UK (11th Sept 2009) show I mentioned awhile back that can be downloaded is some hot shit. I think there's still one song posted on my SotD page. I could up the whole thing if there's any interest.