VH1 asks: “Consumers consider $18 for a CD too much. Record labels argue the price covers expensive development and marketing costs. But what do the artists think?”
“That’s way too high,” Lifehouse singer Jason Wade stated bluntly.
“It is one of the greatest consumer scams,” fumed singer Mike Patton (Tomahawk, Fantômas, Faith No More).
“Kids don’t want to take a chance because there’s so much sh– out there,” the Calling’s Aaron Kamin explained. “I wouldn’t want to buy a record for $18 either.”
“I would buy a CD if it was $10.99,” added Nelly. “Coming from a consumer standpoint, if I was somebody off the street, I might even buy two.”
“Who wants to spend $20 when your friend will burn you a copy of the one good song on the CD? Not me,” admitted former Soul Coughing singer Mike Doughty.
“We can argue and fight to get them priced how we want,” Stroke 9 singer Luke Esterkyn said. “We do have a say.”
“I definitely think that sale prices help to sell CDs,” said Brian Fair, singer for metal band Shadows Fall. “People will be less likely to burn a copy from a friend if they can get the whole packaging for a low price. And with such a huge emphasis on SoundScan numbers these days, it always helps to have large sales at major chains in weighted markets.”
Click here for even more artists speaking up, and take note of all the genres being represented.
