In Support of Artists, not Thieves

Efterklang is mad at Piraters.

What is stealing?

I walk into a store.  There is that new Mumford and Sons CD sitting on the shelf.  Or maybe for you, it's Lady Gaga's new album.  Whatever.  I glance around, no one is looking.  No cameras.  So, I take that CD and put it in my jacket pocket.  Then, I walk out of the store...

We would all agree that this is stealing, right?  What about this:

I get on my computer.  I open up Limewire.  I download Mumford and Sons' new CD.

It is strange to think that this does not seem like stealing to me or my peers.  But, the common thread here is that I took a good without paying for it - that is, common theivery. 

"But Bryce, you didn't put the CD on Limewire.  Someone else did.  You're just copying some digital files!" 

Ok, so I am copying stolen items from a thief. 

By pirating music, you support thieves, not artists. 

----- | Who Buys Music? | -----

During college, I had a music-freak friend.  He was always talking about bands I had never (and still haven't) heard of.  He was starting to write music, and loved playing his favorite bands' songs. 

One day, he told me something shocking - he had purchased all of his 20 GB+ library of music. 

What?!  Who does that anymore?  We have torrents and limewires and so many other ways to obtain a digital file.  We don't even think twice anymore about downloading music.

But, he challenged me to do just that.  Instead of using the 'stealing argument', he was passionate about the converse idea: he wanted to support his artists!

By buying music, you are supporting good artists. (They are good to me, or else I wouldn't buy them!)  Can you really say you are Lady Gaga's / Mumford and Sons / U2's biggest fan if you've never actually bought any of their music?  Don't artists we enjoy deserve our money?  Shouldn't we want to support them so they can do things like buy food, pay their bills, and make more good music? 

----- | A Challenge | -----

1. Stop pirating music.  If you steal music, you do not support that artist or any message they promote.  No one who loves music will pirate music.

2. Delete all music you do not own.  Yeah, this one's gonna hurt.  But only in the beginning.  Then, you will have to become music-savvy.  Read reviews, listen to clips, etc, before buying (supporting) an artist.  Soon, you'll have a small collection of music that you actually like and listen to.

3. Buy music.  I have around 15 GB of music.  I bought all of it.  Is that tough to do?  Yes!  I have a section of budget for music.  I rigorously review bands before I buy their music.  It's tough, and it costs me something.  But, it's worth it.



Efterklang is happy that you buy music.



Support your favorite artists.  Buy their music.  Help them continue to make more good music and continue to spread their message.  Pirating is putting good artists out of business, and instead supports thieves.