How can I purchase music so that I know the actual artist is getting the money?

=MaskedGuardian Feb 19, 2013

I want to buy songs I like, but I keep hearing about how the artists actually make very little off the sales because it all goes to the record label. I don't want to give my money to the label, I want to give it to the artist. Does anyone know of a way that I can be sure the artist is actually getting the money, or am I fighting a lost cause?

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Devious Comments

*ergasterd Feb 21, 2013 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

If they are signed to a label then you can't be really sure, and they will only get a cut anyway. If they are not signed then buy from their websites or Bandcamp, or from their gigs.

~mphtmnslt Feb 20, 2013

Go to shows, buy merch. Otherwise, sites like bandcamp are good to buy from too.

*Abstract-Mindser Feb 19, 2013

I'm going to be cynical here and say if its under a record label, you're likely screwed. You'd have to basically go personal to be personal.

~PolaroidRed Feb 19, 2013 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

Don't use Itunes as they give the artist the lowest percent out of all the other music download sites such as bandcamp or topspin.

~wizfrikiman Feb 19, 2013 Hobbyist Digital Artist

Artists who use Bandcamp, CDBaby, Tunecore or Topspin are usually getting your money.

~aspacecowboy Feb 19, 2013

Go to their shows and buy discs et. al. from their vendor stands. In particular, autographed stuff that goes for a few extra bucks should be pure gravy for the band.

~WilWhalen Feb 19, 2013 Professional Digital Artist

If you're trying to buy from an artist signed to a major label there's really not much you can do. The label takes great measure to make sure they're getting a cut of anything the artist makes through sales, be it music and frequently also merch.

The only way to ensure it is to buy from indie artists through the aforementioned Bandcamp, or sites like it.

~IceCreamSpoon Feb 19, 2013

Go to the artists main official website and look for official purchase links.

=FoxFornication Feb 19, 2013 Hobbyist Digital Artist

Buy stuff on bandcamp.com.

~Rawglor Feb 19, 2013 Hobbyist Digital Artist

Yeah, it looks like the artist makes 85-90% of each sale.

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How can I purchase music so that I know the actual artist is getting the money?

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