The Importance of Frequency
Yesterday, while I was listening to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, I scanned The Beatles‘ discography. Something that struck me was the frequency that the band released new albums. Though you may not need a recap on The Beatles, how’s this for productivity:
The Beatles released a new album in the UK every six months, between Please Please Me to Let It Be. When The Beatles crossed the Atlantic in February, 1964, they backed up the Beatlemania with six albums in one year, further feeding the demand. During the 80 months of releasing music, over 300 songs connected them with their fans.
500 million album sales later, The Beatles are still not available digitally. You can’t find them on iTunes, though the lawsuit between Apple (iTunes) and The Beatle’s Apple Corporation has been resolved. Regardless, this is a digital age where The Beatles’ approach of recording a plethora of songs only makes sense.
Digital downloads will eventually catch up with falling CD sales, either through digital sales or forms of the free music model. When digital sales fully take over, bands and record labels will no longer need to print physical media… making it cheaper to release music.
Artists and record labels should take note of The Beatles and release music as often as their creativity allows. The reason for this weighs heavily on the short life span of digital music. Since fans don’t have a physical copy to hold in their hands or leave laying around their home, they aren’t reminded to listen to the songs.
Since there are more bands competing for our attention, artists need to give fans a reason to be excited about them. Putting out a new EP or full-length every six months will keep the band in the minds of fans. Touring for several months in between recording sessions brings the music to the audience, driving the digital and merchandise sales. Thanks to the internet, bands don’t need to rely on the Ed Sullivan Show in order to gain exposure.