Chasing Lions

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.

3 Comments »

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1. “Artists and record labels should take note of The Beatles and release music as often as their creativity allows.”

   I hear ya, but…this final paragraph implies that a core of musician can put out material worth releasing every six months…even if only but a few tracks.

   The Beatles were capable of writing and recording music of such worth at such a fast pace - and they’re essentially freaks in that sense, something that may never be repeated. Bands must understand that there is a need to keep a rotation of material, but ultimately I think the statement about the quality of music may suggest that those putting out music of a lesser quality, or of an easier accessibility may have to resort to unleashing a bulk of music every few months to maintain whatever share of the collective listener’s time they may seek…

   That being said, I’m fairly OK with hearing a new Portishead every ten years…especially when they’re as good as they are.

   Comment by Chris — March 17, 2008 #

2. > …this final paragraph implies that a core of musician can put out
   > material worth releasing every six months…even if only but a
   > few tracks. The Beatles were capable of writing and recording
   > music of such worth at such a fast pace - and they’re
   > essentially freaks in that sense, something that may never be
   > repeated.

   This is not nearly as far-fetched as presented, since many (if not most) bands already have a plethora of material recorded already prior to any mass public exposure. As for releasing digital material often, this makes great sense, financially, and otherwise.

   Bands must understand that there is a need to keep a rotation of material, but ultimately I think the statement about the quality of music may suggest that those putting out music of a lesser quality, or of an easier accessibility may have to resort to unleashing a bulk of music every few months to maintain whatever share of the collective listener’s time they may seek…

   Comment by Kenny Love — March 18, 2008 #

3. All I’m tryin to say is that quality trumps quantity in many situations.

   Nice title Kev

   Comment by Chris — March 18, 2008 #

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