Target: Where Formerly Great Musicians Go To Die

[LaneMeyer]

I've noticed a couple artists (Pearl Jam and Prince) are making exclusive albums only to be sold at Target and promoting them via Target commercials. Sad.... So very sad.

Thoughts?

[Crosscurrent]

I've noticed a couple artists (Pearl Jam and Prince) are making exclusive albums only to be sold at Target and promoting them via Target commercials. Sad.... So very sad.

Thoughts?

The record industry has changed tremendously in the past 10+ years. As an Artist, whether you're selling your music online, or at Target matters little- it is one more venue to increase sales. Unless they have written the music/lyrics, artists typically make most of their money by touring. It's all about marketing the product- and if they do a special product that is profitable in that demographic (Target Shoppers)- then it will be done. It's basic economic necessity. So- Go Buy the Music!

[LaneMeyer]

The record industry has changed tremendously in the past 10+ years. As an Artist, whether you're selling your music online, or at Target matters little- it is one more venue to increase sales. Unless they have written the music/lyrics, artists typically make most of their money by touring. It's all about marketing the product- and if they do a special product that is profitable in that demographic (Target Shoppers)- then it will be done. It's basic economic necessity. So- Go Buy the Music!

I disagree, it matters a lot. Those artists are now stigmatized with Target's image. These were once cutting edge musicians who lost their edge and now they lay dead at Target. They may sell records but at what cost... They sold out, it's no longer about the music, it's about making as much money as they can by appealing to an audience who has no musical taste and chooses to buy what music Target sells.

[Crosscurrent]

I disagree, it matters a lot. Those artists are now stigmatized with Target's image. These were once cutting edge musicians who lost their edge and now they lay dead at Target. They may sell records but at what cost... They sold out, it's no longer about the music, it's about making as much money as they can by appealing to an audience who has no musical taste and chooses to buy what music Target sells.

L.M.- I really agree with you. But-- "selling out" is a relative term. Guess how old Prince is? Is that music popular now? No. ( Even though it's still viable- AND Progressive)- just doesn't sell like it used to-- there's A LOT of music that's accessible out there these days. So we as artists must find what will make us money. Remember- they're still putting out music that they WANT to put out--especially Prince. That's why it's important to go to shows, and buy music available at those shows-- it puts more $$ into the pocket of the artist, rather than the "Machine."

[nugpop68]

I disagree, it matters a lot. Those artists are now stigmatized with Target's image. These were once cutting edge musicians who lost their edge and now they lay dead at Target. They may sell records but at what cost... They sold out, it's no longer about the music, it's about making as much money as they can by appealing to an audience who has no musical taste and chooses to buy what music Target sells.

What a huge, irreversible divergence from Eddie's grunge ethos origins (although arguably the weakest in his genre) and anti-corporate TicketMaster battle. No likey. Prince, on the other hand,...what's changed there?

[-Mu-]

I think it largely has to do with the fact that people are trying to figure out how to keep the former profitability of the industry going. Album sales will no longer keep the industry around and some of these artists are probably not happy with the dwindling money as they don't make as much from touring.

Say what you will of The Misfits, but they are vastly important to modern music (influence etc.). As they are now, headed by Jerry Only they only make enough money to break even. He keeps a day job because they can't live off of the misfits. Even with the ravenous merchandising.

I agree with you that it's sucky, but that's how it goes. Hopefully one of these days the industry will go bankrupt and it can be more about touring artists.

[LaneMeyer]

I'm not trying to argue about whether is sucks or not, you gotta do what you gotta do but... I don't listen to Prince or Pearl Jam but I do think they were once great artists. I think it's kinda sad really. I think once it was about the music for these artists and they've lost touch with that. Artists need to remember, it's about the music not corporate greed, or making as much money as possible. If that's the case you're in the wrong business, your music will reflect that and eventually people will stop listening to you. If you have to make music for Target you have to question whether it's time to find another career or put some energy into finding another creative way to get your music out there. A lot of musicians spend a lot of time getting butt-hurt about how file-sharing has hurt them rather then use the technology for their benefit. Anyways here's the commercial, the music is just such poooooor quality.

YouTube - Pearl Jam Target Commercial The Fixer

[Crosscurrent]

I think it largely has to do with the fact that people are trying to figure out how to keep the former profitability of the industry going. Album sales will no longer keep the industry around and some of these artists are probably not happy with the dwindling money as they don't make as much from touring.

Say what you will of The Misfits, but they are vastly important to modern music (influence etc.). As they are now, headed by Jerry Only they only make enough money to break even. He keeps a day job because they can't live off of the misfits. Even with the ravenous merchandising.

I agree with you that it's sucky, but that's how it goes. Hopefully one of these days the industry will go bankrupt and it can be more about touring artists.

That's sort of what I'm saying as well. The Music Industry is going through a HUGE restructuring, and the possibilities are wide open, but the artist is becoming more and more in control. It was very telling when i heard Jewel say several years ago that she made more money selling CDs out of her van than she did as a famous recording artist. A thought, tho'-- is she selling specific material in Target? (Just to keep us on Track.)

[LaneMeyer]

That's sort of what I'm saying as well. The Music Industry is going through a HUGE restructuring, and the possibilities are wide open, but the artist is becoming more and more in control. It was very telling when i heard Jewel say several years ago that she made more money selling CDs out of her van than she did as a famous recording artist. A thought, tho'-- is she selling specific material in Target? (Just to keep us on Track.)

Jewel sells music at Target but as far as I know she has not made an exclusive album for Target.

[bent]

If you think about it most of Peal Jams fans are older (late 20's and 30 somethings) now. They have families and whatnot. If some dad who likes to rock out to pearl jam can get their new cd while he's picking up some diapers. Why is that a bad thing?

Alot of people don't have time to make it to the smaller record stores. Even if they like to support the little guy. Thats why record stores are scarce.

Did Pearl Jam sell out? No.

The whole industry sold out when they let big corporations like wal-mart, target, and best buy be the main sellers of music. What about Itunes? I would rather buy my music from target then buy it off itunes. When i buy music i need something in hand. Not just some file on a computer.

Pearl Jam is just making a living in the world we live in. I'm sure Pearl Jam sat around thinking, "lets write an album so we can sell it at target!"

All about the money? Bands need money to keep getting there music out into the world. Without money you would of never heard of Pearl Jam. The fact they keep putting out music means its more to them then just money.

As for where i buy music? I buy music from Park ave cd's! (even though i work for target...I'm a sellout i know..) And i only buy cd's when it doesn't come out on vinyl.


CD's ARE FOR SELLOUTS!!!!!

[Crosscurrent]

Not to be flip, but Kurt Cobain is dead, and Prince produces other artists. I can't see Prince in any other profession, and when record sales and concert numbers slack off, artists must make a living. ( I do see your point tho', as far as the IMAGE of Target.) This is nothing new tho', Country artists have fallen upon Walmart as a sales vehicle for many years.. and kept eating because of it. There is a delicate balance between "Art" and "Marketing," no matter what an artist does. The truth is, there's a lot of stuff that we as musicians write, and think is incredible, that the general public won't buy. Other musicians do, but they're in the minority. What better market for the "General Public" than Target! WooHoo!

[rosewood thief]

Did these artists musical talent somehow change when they brought production to target? No. By saying that these musicians are no longer great because they sell exclusive albums at big name stores you cut yourself off from your own opinion, the one that matters which should be based on the artists music rather than where you bought the CD.

This thread makes me hate myself and i want to die.
hehe get it? Nirvana? Pearl Jam? Grunge? haaaaa!!!

[LaneMeyer]

I see your alls point. If you're an artist and don't mind the stigma that comes with being a 'Target' band then go for it. I personally would never buy music from a band that did an exclusive for Target and it makes me never want to listen to that band again. But I'm just one person and I realize that other people don't mind or may even like the convenience of buying music at Target. I definitely see a trend though, places that aren't music shops that don't really care much about the music they are trying to sell. Starbucks, Target, Walmart, WholeFoods, etc... It's kinda sickening. Is this the new Record industry? Big corporate chain stores? You know Target doesn't give a crap about Pearl Jam. All I can think is it's sad. Pearl Jam could do so much better...

[LaneMeyer]

Did these artists musical talent somehow change when they brought production to target? No. By saying that these musicians are no longer great because they sell exclusive albums at big name stores you cut yourself off from your own opinion, the one that matters which should be based on the artists music rather than where you bought the CD.

This thread makes me hate myself and i want to die.
hehe get it? Nirvana? Pearl Jam? Grunge? haaaaa!!!

Grow a nutsack it's just a thread... If you can't handle a simple discussion about music then go take up space on another thread.

Also I'm not saying that they aren't great just because they brought production to Target but the fact that they did so is a sign that something is seriously awry.

[rosewood thief]

I see your alls point. If you're an artist and don't mind the stigma that comes with being a 'Target' band then go for it. I personally would never buy music from band that did an exclusive for Target and it makes me never want to listen to that band again. But I'm just one person and I realize that other people don't mind or may even like the convenience of buying music at Target. I definitely see a trend though, places that aren't music shops that don't really care much about music trying to sell me music. Starbucks, Target, Walmart, WholeFoods, etc... It's kinda sickening. Is this the new Record industry? Big corporate chain stores? You know Target doesn't give a crap about Pearl Jam. All I can think is it's sad. Pearl Jam could do so much better...

Indeed they could. I didn't like their new album, I still dig the band in general. I also see where your coming from and respect that, buuut... i disagree8)

[nugpop68]

Sadly, even SubPop sold out to Warner Bros.
Rosewood, is that Clay Aiken(sp?) I hear crooning in the background?

[rosewood thief]

Sadly, even SubPop sold out to Warner Bros.
Rosewood, is that Clay Aiken(sp?) I hear crooning in the background?

[Crosscurrent]

C'mon, musicians aren't picky, and never have been. We will sell our music wherever people will buy it, and go wherever people will pay us to play(and a lot of places they DON'T.) It's part of being an Artist, and a tortured one, at that. The stuff on the record is not always what we think is our best work- it's stuff we believe that the public will like and buy-- and if the two happen to be the same, so much the better, wherever we sell our show, or our music. That's reality for any artist, musical or otherwise. Every point here has been very valid, btw.

[LaneMeyer]

C'mon, musicians aren't picky, and never have been. We will sell our music wherever people will buy it, and go wherever people will pay us to play(and a lot of places they DON'T.) It's part of being an Artist, and a tortured one, at that. The stuff on the record is not always what we think is our best work- it's stuff we believe that the public will like and buy-- and if the two happen to be the same, so much the better, wherever we sell our show, or our music. That's reality for any artist, musical or otherwise. Every point here has been very valid, btw.

I'm not a musician so I can't really speak for musicians but as someone selling a product you gotta draw the line somewhere. I like what nugpop68 had to say about it being a divergence from Vedder's orgins. Artists need to have standards and values and stick to them, or somehow inspire me the consumer as to why their new standards and values are somehow worthwhile. I don't see how collaborating with Target is a good choice, I think Pearl Jam will lose more core fans than it keeps. Sure they may pick up new fans who didn't like Pearl Jam before but is the majority of the Target shopping crowd actually gonna pay money to go see Pearl Jam in concert... I doubt it.

[Crosscurrent]

I'm not a musician so I can't really speak for musicians but as someone selling a product you gotta draw the line somewhere. I like what nugpop68 had to say about it being a divergence from Vedder's orgins. Artists need to have standards and values and stick to them, or somehow inspire me the consumer as to why their new standards and values are somehow worthwhile. I don't see how collaborating with Target is a good choice, I think Pearl Jam will lose more core fans than it keeps. Sure they may pick up new fans who didn't like Pearl Jam before but is the majority of the Target shopping crowd actually gonna pay money to go see Pearl Jam in concert... I doubt it.

To have those standards would be nice. As I was saying before, one of the frustrations artists face is that their fans wouldn't buy what is actually more intrinsically GOOD music; therefore, the artist must get their music out there, however they can, to as many people that will pick it up off of the shelf. That means mass marketing-- I try to support smaller businesses myself, but I can't always get downtown to the local music shop- a reality of American culture today. There are no lines to be drawn. We sell our pkgs of music so we can maintain our lifestyle--haha-- and I don't live in Prince's diggs, for sure!