Free
Album Downloads!
Yes, all of the Bands support this endeavor 100%!!! So please
stop asking us!
We
at Go-Kart Records want to make it perfectly clear that the
RIAA does not represent the views of all record labels.
We
feel that only by embracing technology can we gain from it,
and that a battle like the one that the RIAA is fighting can
simply not be won.
We
do not believe that online downloads are all that is hurting
the music industry. It is a combination of problems, CD burning
being the most injurious. Of course, major labels will never
take action against the manufacturers of burnable CDs, since
in some cases they would then have to sue themselves (why would
Sony sue Sony?) Instead they are going after the music fans,
whom they hope to intimidate and extort.
We
also feel that the lack of original and meaningful music is
part of the major labels' problem. Simply put, if there is better
music, people will spend money to own it instead of downloading
or burning it. The success of Itunes proves that people are
willing to buy music online if it is delivered in an intelligent
way that is respectful of the consumer.
The
major labels control almost all the means of exposure available
today. How can you sell records without exposure? Radio is controlled
through payola (or its modern form, consultants), the print
media is controlled through quid-pro-quo agreements of ads for
coverage and vice versa, retail is controlled by co-op dollars
(which also includes in-store play for videos), and they even
buy their artists' way onto opening slots on tours. So, with
a few exceptions, the new music that most people are exposed
to is controlled by the five major labels. But they CAN'T control
what people download. All they can try to do is control people's
access to MP3s, or scare them out of downloading music altogether!
So,
we are putting our music where our mouth is to prove a point.
We believe that if you like the music you hear you will support
it by going to shows, telling your friends, and buying the bands
CDs. With this in mind, we are allowing people to download some
of our current releases AT NO CHARGE. In other words, we are
essentially GIVING these albums away!
These
songs are all RIAA safe! If you like what you hear, please make
a donation (see the PayPal button), check out the bands' shows,
and spread the word. If you don't, what have you lost?
To
read a more in depth article about why we feel the RIAA is wrong
please click here.
To
read an interview discussing this with Greg from Go-kart go
here.
Also,
make sure to check out our upcoming release, the first commercially
sold MP3 Sampler called GO-KART
MP300 RACEWAY featuring 150 bands and 300 songs.
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