Why Do I Give Away So Much Free Music?

...Over and over again, I get asked by friends, music fans and other artists and other fellow producers why do I give away so much free music. The answer is simple, it's because I feel that if I have a load of music sitting stagnant in my iTunes, then it's a waste of time me making it in the first place.

Most of the music I give away are either remixes I have done, or re-edits of some of my favorite songs. As well as being paid to remix songs, remixing for me is a hobby, it's my favorite thing to do as a producer, and when I get free time, I try to do as many remixes and re-edits as possible. Then most of the time, i'll put them onto Soundcloud as a free download.

Another reason of why I like to give away so much free music is because I believe that if I look after my fans, and give them free music in between albums, then they will look after me when I put out albums and remixes on CD and iTunes etc.

The internet has completely changed the way we listen to and buy music and I firmly believe that if your going to get someone to part with their hard earned money, then you have to provide a service. I my case, because I have so many free downloads, my hope is that people will give something back and be loyal to buying the albums I put out... I know that not everyone will do this, but even if they don't and they prefer to find a blogspot to download it for free then that's good publicity for me. Of course, i'd rather someone buy my album, but i'm not going to be naive and think that everyone is going to buy it as most people will find it on a blogspot and download it for free. My point is, that if i've been giving away free music most of the year, then when my albums are available to buy, then people might think twice and think, and consider supporting the artist, as the artist has supported them.

Unless your selling hundreds of thousands of records, then it's impossible for the artist to be making a living from music. For example, if I sell 100 albums on iTunes, I make £799. To sell 100 albums on iTunes will take a few months, so although it's nice pocket money now and again, it's not the kind of life changing money that let's say Beyonce is enjoying.

Free downloads are also a great way of self promotion. Through my remixes, I have got quite a bit of paid work as a remixer, and as a producer, making tracks for different artists, that I would never have met or worked for unless they had heard my music in the first place... And most probably downloaded it for free!

I strongly believe the future of music is in live performance. A live show is a perfect scenario for us to connect with our fan-base and sell our music, merchandise and start making a living out of what we love doing. And through giving away the free downloads in the first place, will get you new fans, new fans that will come to your shows, pay entry and buy and album because they like and respect what you do and want to support you.

I will end on this note, imagine having a job that you get up for 7 days of the week, knowing that your working on "Might's" and "Ifs'"... As producers and artists we have to motivate ourselves to make this music, all this motivation is for the complete love of it, as most of us don't get paid, or even think about the money when we're making the songs. I know I certainly don't!... Although we have bills to pay like everyone else, for some reason, we still carry on relentless, working crazy amounts of hours, every day of the week, usually into the dead of night, with hope that one day it will pay off for us. The ones that survive this game are the ones that keep the faith, commit and stick at it forever, regardless of the impact it may have on their lives, regardless of the sleepless nights of worrying about bills, car tax, insurance and day to day living. I've been through and still go through all of this, but it has made me a stronger person, it has made me more ambitious, and it has fueled me to work harder, and I don't regret any of it for one minute. So, after all that, I will continue giving away music, as it will always open doors and gain me new fans. Because if someone doesn't hear you in the first place, then how the hell are you going to get heard!?

Oh, here's a free album full of my remixes and re-edits. Enjoy.

Soulpersona "The Free Album" by Soulpersona

Love and goodness,

SoulP