I had a gander at this idea the other day.
I actually think it's a good move. Basically, I think whatever happens, the middlemen (shops) are disappearing. And I'm not talking music - I'm talking most things. This is why there are less shops on high streets - not music shops, shops selling just about everything.
The upshot is that bands will sell more CDs and vinyl, even if it is through Amazon or whatever - and hopefully this will lead to physical products being desirable again, and in turn lead to more being made. What needs to happen is that the service needs to extend to smaller labels.
Take, for example Odd Box. I bet Trev would give an arm and a leg for another dozen independent shops to pop up and offer to sell his releases, but at the moment that's highly unlikely. Until rates come down and people can afford to lease a sales unit for a lower price, therefore being able to operate at lower profit margins which will only happen when the government act to revive town centres.
But how about if Amazon was willing to stock a 100 copies limited vinyl run and give the downloads to everyone who bought the record? Surely this would provide an outlet for smaller labels?
It won't be the same as going into a record shop - no way - but maybe if the demand for physical does increase, the generation that have skipped it altogether will be a one-off and the next lot of music buyers will be used to records and begin showing an interest in shops again? Include a download code with the vinyl in the shops so they can stick the tunes on their iPhone or whatever and listen to the vinyl when at home.
There isn't going to be a revival in record shops nationwide with the way things are, but perhaps if the attitude to physical releases changes there may be a slow increase in the future...
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