tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.comments2013-10-20T02:52:38.051+01:00Paul CusickPaul Cusick AKA Qhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14731560344251662424noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-48419491856290117852012-02-10T18:51:40.691+00:002012-02-10T18:51:40.691+00:00Nice businesslike review from an unexpected source...Nice businesslike review from an unexpected source.Bob Stiffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14931754303680911052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-72573559832683616332011-11-02T15:36:05.881+00:002011-11-02T15:36:05.881+00:00Right on!! I Creative Commons all of my music and ...Right on!! I Creative Commons all of my music and encourage others to share! The weird thing is that many of these people end up buying the CD anyway.Craig Kerleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09636909906794419152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-50845132462743070532011-09-20T15:09:17.883+01:002011-09-20T15:09:17.883+01:00Frank, I just read your comments and coincidentall...Frank, I just read your comments and coincidentally I released a promo of track 1 with a voice over saying something similar to what you suggested. Great minds think alike. I think it may be the way to go. And an interview would be great. email me at team(at)qrock.co.uk and we'll sort something. :o)Paul Cusick AKA Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14731560344251662424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-44698983527944912682011-09-17T23:07:55.983+01:002011-09-17T23:07:55.983+01:00Sorry about the typos! The first line should read:...Sorry about the typos! The first line should read:<br /><br />Post your own version of the album as a torrent, even before you send out review copies of it.Frankhttp://progrockshow.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-79791263570225157352011-09-17T23:05:47.486+01:002011-09-17T23:05:47.486+01:00Paul,
A solution for this problem might be:
Post...Paul,<br /><br />A solution for this problem might be:<br /><br />Posted your own version of the album as a torrent, even before you send out review copies of the it. On each and every song add, at one point in the songs somewhere, a voice over with you saying something like "This is a demo copy of my new album. If you like what you hear the album will be available on ...". With such a measure, as soon as the torrent raiders find out that ayour new album has been made available, a lot of people will download it, and that, it turn, will make the torrent rank higher in the torrent lists, which will encourage more people to download it, as these things always tend to go. By the time the first downloaders realize that the album is unlistenable partly through every song, the album will have been downloaded hundreds and hundreds of time, so the ranking will be high, outscoring any other illegal download there may be out there.<br /><br />Another way to deal with it, is a variation of what Lenart said, except make it an extra track. The same process as the first one is made. First you make the torrent yourself, lets say with a bit rate of 128. Except this torrent has a bonus track. On that track you leave a message to the downloader, something like "while I am very happy that you are interested in my music enough to download this torrent, I would very much prefer for you to buy it directly from me, and the reasons are .... Thanks for listening"<br /><br />Of course, those two methods are not the only ones you can use, but they are the most cost effective for an emerging artist like yourself. If you had more than limited funds, other methods are: to have a 5.1 mix included on a second disk, which if I am not mistaken, cannot be "torrented" without loosing its 5.1 quality (it becomes ordinary stereo); or having any other extra that won't tranfer well (I can't think of anything out of hand right now), and which will be considered as added value for the people who do buy the CD legaly.<br /><br />Anyway, that's my two cents worth!<br /><br />I am looking forward to hearing the whole album, and not just snippets from your Soundcloud site (and they do sound good).<br /><br />BTW, I have an internet radio show, and would love to do an interview with you at your convenience. For more about the show, type in "The International Prog Rock Show" in Google and you'll find the blogspot page easily. I did play some of the songs from your first album (your album even made my Top Ten of 2009 list), and recently played some tracks from the Soundcloud site.<br /><br />Talk to you soon,<br />Frank (from the IPRS)Frankhttp://progrockshow.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-61144218242316924032011-09-14T21:19:43.261+01:002011-09-14T21:19:43.261+01:00Here's a text that a mate and some other guy w...Here's a text that a mate and some other guy wrote for their self-help book<br /><br />"If you’ve purchased this book legitimately from one our websites then I’m<br />honoured you’ve chosen to invest you hard earned money with us, and I thank you sincerely.<br />If you’ve downloaded this book illegally from one of the various torrent sharing websites, then I also<br />want to thank you, but for a different reason.<br />I wanted to say thank you for taking the step towards creating the kind of life that you’ve always<br />desired and allowing us to come on that journey with you.<br /><br />We wrote this book on a belief that everyone has the right to create the kind<br />of life that everyone deserves – one filled with love, freedom, and expression – and by downloading<br />this book, you’re giving us another opportunity to create that world.<br />All I ask of you in return for this book is that if you feel you’ve received value from this book, that<br />you repay that by purchasing the book legally from www.endgameblog.net. This can be in electronic<br />form or print form.<br />This book is the product of 4 years research and the money you invest into it will allow us to continue<br />our research into creating simpler and more effective products that will help you accelerate the<br />journey you’re on.<br />If arriving at your destination sooner rather than later sounds like something you would like to<br />achieve, then please take the time to help invest in the solution you’re looking for."Lennartnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-50117414158575321202011-09-14T21:14:54.767+01:002011-09-14T21:14:54.767+01:00An album torrent consist of a folder. It's com...An album torrent consist of a folder. It's common to have a notepad file included in the folder where the torrent uploader says a few words thanks others and promotes whatever he wants.<br /><br />Torrent sites also let you write a description for the torrent file which people will read before they download the file. <br /><br />Pirates are at least curious to your music, they're very likely to become fans and that's where they're potential customers. Getting angry with them (and I know it's frustrating, it's understandable) will most likely antagonise them and start naming the bullshit arguments you responded to. If you're grateful for their piracy however, they have nothing to defend against and will feel bad about it. <br /><br />So in your notepad you thank them, and then give them two ways of supporting you should they wish to do so. <br /><br />Firstly you ask to keep on spreading and creating a buzz around your work perhaps even give them that affilliate link thing you just picked up. Get their friends to know your music as well, on forums on everything with links to your side. <br /><br />And secondly (you don't want to seem greedy) you offer them a way to buy your album and I'm confident a coupon code with a discount will work a charm here. <br /><br /><br />Again, it's understandable to be frustrated with piracy. And it's easy to be seduced into counting illegal downloads as 100% lost sales. But you're not helped by that. Resisting it will only cost you while letting these pirate guys work for you can let you grow bigger. Especially for artists that aren't backed by label advertising this is an opportunity.<br /><br />I'm working on a book right now, so I already can imagine the dismay of discovering my product available for free. But if I had such an excellent album to sell, then the above describes how I would deal with piracy.Lennartnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-27347944634794067592011-09-14T16:56:40.594+01:002011-09-14T16:56:40.594+01:00The whole problem with this thing is expressed via...The whole problem with this thing is expressed via my username- we are all anonymous, so in general we (the music purchasers/downloaders) don't give a fuck about you (the music makers), and you don't give a fuck about us. Which is why I consider illegal downloading acceptable under a few conditions. 1: the artist you like has already 'made it'- they're rolling in the money and your few pence will make zero difference to them. 'Small' artists rely on every £ of income to keep going. 2: they are on a big label- 99% of music labels are run by one or two folks out of a home/office studio, and your money is needed for them to have an income. A big label is one that is making enough money out of a band already.<br /><br />So in circumstances other than those, I consider illegal downloading rather abhorrent. It is very direct and personal and does have a large impact on small artists and labels.<br /><br />Which brings me back to where I started- to your fans, you are not anonymous- you interact with them everyday, and we are not anonymous to you. So frankly, any supposed 'fan' who illegally downloads your work is a massive cunt.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-35174122673830647772011-09-14T16:28:59.945+01:002011-09-14T16:28:59.945+01:00How do you attach notes to torrents... It would be...How do you attach notes to torrents... It would be something I wish I could do... as I've said I have given away my music for free on many occasions but these pirate sites suck. It takes control away from the artist and to add insult to injury some of these site make money by selling other peoples music and none is passed back to artist... that cant be right...Paul Cusick AKA Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14731560344251662424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-8759851162589876582011-09-14T14:14:17.650+01:002011-09-14T14:14:17.650+01:00I'm not sure if you're making the right mo...I'm not sure if you're making the right move here Paul. <br /><br />People who download your music don't have to be the people who would've otherwise bought your music. If they didn't pay you would you rather have people not listen to your music at all? That would be a serious blow to spreading awareness about your music. <br /><br />Instead of fighting the pirates you can embrace them. Many e-book authors these days thank their clients for their purchase AND they thank those who illegally downloaded their books for at least expressing interest in their product. And should they really like what the author is doing then they give them the opportunity to still buy the product (often with a couponcode at reduced price)<br /><br />You can do the same. You can release torrents with your music with a little friendly note alongside it. You'll spread awareness, you ensure that at least your music is listened to in the best quality possible and you'll still generate good will and even guilt among your pirate fans so that they'll still support you, not because they have to, but because they want to.Lennartnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-78426067907035588252010-10-26T08:33:53.866+01:002010-10-26T08:33:53.866+01:00Cool Blogging. I like to have dating to find a per...Cool Blogging. I like to have <a href="http://www.singles-solutions.co.uk/" rel="nofollow">dating</a> to find a perfect partner.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17219358776145766477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-50634710047475372752010-03-05T09:54:30.780+00:002010-03-05T09:54:30.780+00:00Joshua... I like the idea that DT have adopted... ...Joshua... I like the idea that DT have adopted... and you're right.., singles and album should be treated as 2 separate entities.<br /><br />Both serve their own purpose.Paul Cusick AKA Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14731560344251662424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-57674977323268612752010-03-04T22:54:04.451+00:002010-03-04T22:54:04.451+00:00There is very good technology out there that allow...There is very good technology out there that allows for perfect rips of both vinyl and CD to completely lossless digital versions. I have a mate who buys albums, rips them to FLAC and listens to them through a very good set of speakers, or quality cans. I'm not an audiophile compared to him or my other friends, but I do appreciate high quality recordings. I however only rip CDs in high quality. and with the modern age of hard drive space, people have no reason to rip music to 128kb (yeecchhh).<br /><br />As for albums vs Singles, they both have their different pros and cons, The Album allows for a full length exploration into one or a connection of ideas and ideologies (<3 The Incident) but an interesting thing with singles, the CDs are usually released with 3-4 tracks, an Album Version or Radio Edit but sometimes a different way of playing or singing the song.<br /><br />The Single for Dream Theater's 'Whither' from their newest album is a great example, it features the Album Version, Piano version, and a version with Vocals by the Guitarist (who wrote the song) instead of the usual singer. You wouldn't have that sort of freedom of expression with an album, and it gives the fans a different outlook on the song. I know from my own band experiences that different versions will be inevitable, and I for one love listening to (and playing) different versions of a song.<br /><br />So I guess what i'm saying is that both Albums and Singles have their place, but with a Single, you have more of an avenue to compliment your creativity.Joshua Mutzelburgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-17374640694907069622010-03-04T17:28:57.422+00:002010-03-04T17:28:57.422+00:00Interesting thoughts. My take on this is that all ...Interesting thoughts. My take on this is that all artistic endeavors are facing revenue-model challenges. This is because how music gets to the listener has changed quite a bit. I started out listening to radio and vinyl, and discovered that the quality of both varied a lot. If you could afford the equipment, vinyl produced the best sound, with a slight fall-off in the bass and treble ranges (usually compensated for by booster circuitry). Radio improved somewhat with FM broadcasts, especially by ignoring the 'song' strictures (3.5 minutes long, with a hook and a break) but suffered from interference, especially when used in a car. CDs had great clarity and convenience, especially compared with cassette tapes. But mixers were not adjusting to the new format and complaints of a brassy sound or too much bass were heard from some listeners. I ended up with a large collection of vinyl albums, CDs and even reel-to-reel tapes that eventually began collecting dust as my personal life took away the time I had had previous to audit them. Then came digital files, and suddenly I was able to listen to music that I hadn't heard in years without secluding myself to fiddle with electronic devices (just one needed, and it was mobile).<br /><br />So I buy albums whenever I can. Usually the previews of a song are only thirty seconds long (You are an appreciated exception, Paul). This means I might miss some little gem that wasn't promoted by free download or broadcast (radio is only a shadow of what it used to be). My feeling is an album is what the artist decrees it is, not an objective definition. If an album is only one continuous track, 2 hours long (a DJ relative of mine does those), then I'm good with it. So, albums aren't dead, they've just evolved.John Morganhttp://jwmpc.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-3544436872622974112010-03-04T17:10:19.848+00:002010-03-04T17:10:19.848+00:00Firstly, i'm an old geezer (50 last December -...Firstly, i'm an old geezer (50 last December - still looks weird written down!) so I do remember the thrill of waiting for Floyd's latest waxing outside the record shop!<br />I stopped buying singles when I was 11 and could afford the occasional album from my pocket money/paper round.<br />With the onset of the digital age however, I find that most of my listening is done while in front of the 'pooter, but I still tend to play a whole album from start to finish, rather than set the media player to random. I find that in order to properly appreciate an artist you need to hear more than one song at a time in order to get a feel for what they are about.<br />I have yet to buy a single track in isolation, and indeed do not buy downloads, as they cannot compare to the CD or LP version on a proper hi-fi (remember them?). Try listening to The Incident on a decent system, and follow it up on an mp3 player - no comparison, so much is lost in compression.<br />Steven Wilson has said he does not care for the low quality of mp3 files, and from his point of view it must be frustrating to have spent many hours mastering a cd to the point of sonic perfection only for Joe Public to prefer the more disposable but undoubtedly lower quality download version, and that includes FLAC.<br />The only time when compilations of tracks on mp3 players come into their own imo is when travelling on a plane or train.<br />Paul - love Focal Point and I hope everything you do in the future is released in album form, because I can't be bothered with single tracks.<br />Long live the album!Roger Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06735262800454812153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-86196625281291903892010-03-04T16:36:43.311+00:002010-03-04T16:36:43.311+00:00John, I love The Incident and saw it performed liv...John, I love The Incident and saw it performed live twice. <br /><br />That album is one that keeps getting better the more I listen to it. <br /><br />The themed structure can be heard by the repetition of a set pieces of music throughout the whole album, in much the same way as a chorus is repeated within any standard 4 minute song. <br /><br />By wrapping the songs up as a concept album, PT gave themself the freedom to develop some musical ideas in alternative directions whilst avoiding the pitfals of repetition.<br /><br />It also gave SW freedom to expand on his lyrics within the confines of a theme without being constrained by the limitations of a standard song length.<br /><br />I still haven't managed to determine what the story is, but do understand some of the underlying themes.<br /><br />But as I said probably one of my favourite albums from 2009.Paul Cusick AKA Qhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14731560344251662424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-34072019886523171472010-03-04T16:13:39.735+00:002010-03-04T16:13:39.735+00:00Paul, how do you view the approach that Steven Wil...Paul, how do you view the approach that Steven Wilson is taking with Porcupine Tree, where he sees his latest album The Incident as a collection of songs to be played from start to end, much like reading chapters from a novel.John Thomsettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-2439839381441825452010-03-04T15:27:26.166+00:002010-03-04T15:27:26.166+00:00Jem Godfrey of Frost* has said some interesting th...Jem Godfrey of Frost* has said some interesting things on the subject as well. Their contract with InsideOut has expired and he had plans all along to stop releasing under the album format (as he doesn't do concept albums IIRC) and begin releasing single songs digitally as they are finished. i.e. one new song per month or so, instead of waiting a year or more for a new album.<br /><br />I like both approaches. The wait makes it worth it, and hearing the work as a whole is a special thing. I'm a young guy, only 23, never experienced the 'vinyl age'. In fact it wasn't until really 3-4 years ago that I started to actually LISTEN to music. And now I can't do it any other way - I actually "spin" my albums from start to finish, regardless of genre or artist. I find its the only way to truly listen for me, at home at least. In my car is a different story, and that's when I create my own mix of singles to listen to.vkamichtnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-77323342322687529352010-03-04T15:24:21.452+00:002010-03-04T15:24:21.452+00:00Interesting thoughts there Paul.
A few ideas miss...Interesting thoughts there Paul.<br /><br />A few ideas missing though. One is, why is a CD 74 minutes in length? Answer: because that is the length of Beethoven's 5th Symphony. Modern "rock" albums will fill this CD space, but it's only filler, more often than not.<br /><br />Secondly, why release a whole album worth of tracks? Because that gives artists and promoters a set of songs they can take out on the road. Concerts are where the money is now, not album or single sales, but the album needs to be out there to entice people to come to the gigs. Sometimes it's good to hear songs for the first time you've not heard before played live, but usually the punters want to hear something they know. That means an album.Bil Irvinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03082372607519078302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-13222788651069672062010-03-04T15:17:45.691+00:002010-03-04T15:17:45.691+00:00Very well spoken Paul, I''m in the process...Very well spoken Paul, I''m in the process of researching this very subject for a thesis I plan to do in University. My title being, has the digitalization of music (as a service?) devauled the concept of the album? Something like anyway. I'm trying to convey an unbiased insight into how people actually listen and consume music in their daily lives and what affect this may have on their listening/aestheical experience with music as a product. Could I ask if it possible if you consider allowing me to perform a short interview on you in the near future as part of my preliminaries. I believe you have a point of view that will add another dimension and further discussion to my piece. <br />All the best,<br />AaronAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839066832439199043.post-50549001702542689922009-07-07T19:03:22.757+01:002009-07-07T19:03:22.757+01:00Hey "Q",
I am excited to hear that alb...Hey "Q",<br /><br /> I am excited to hear that album #2 is in the works( somewhat) at this point. As a fan, I am always willing to help a friend out, word of mouth and even donating $ to help out, are what it is all about... that is what a fan does..."PURCHASE" your hard earned work and even harder earned time... but alas, there are those who will do anything to appease their selfish behavior... no matter how you look at it...uploading someone elses work and broadcasting it for "free" is still in my opinion...STEALING!!!!<br /> To the "fan" who did this to you, I say, shame on you..your lack of imagination in getting the word out about Paul and Focal Point, is less than stellar.. Had you started a web-site where you help sell his album for him, and all proceeds went back to him, I would say bravo... Now all I want to do is "kick the sh*t out of you." <br /> I can't believe in this day and time their are still thieves wanting more, for something they had nothing to do with in the first place.<br /> Grow up!!!! I love "Q's" music, and have been in touch with him on several occassions, just to chat... Be a good fan not a fool...NOW "FADE AWAY".<br /><br />So sorry this has to happen to a great guy, and a really awsome musician..<br />On behalf of all the true fans out there Paul,<br /> <br /><br />Your friend, and your true fan for life...<br /><br />John Valdes-FauliAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com