How do you keep Buzzin’ Fly running with sales “as they are”?
Of course it is tough, but then it always has been. The history of independents is littered with financial failure, and even the success stories are usually built on the explosion of one band — New Order for Factory, The Smiths for Rough Trade, Franz Ferdinand for Domino, Oasis for Creation. So the realistic aim must be to be a break-even business with occasional success. Having made a good living out of music for 25 years I see myself in some ways as a “patron of the arts” these days! Looking at it overall, in reality more people are consuming music than ever before these days, it’s just that no one wants to pay much or even anything for it any more. But there are certain costs that won’t go away — marketing, promotion and manufacture. It becomes harder and harder to balance the books. Yes, the digital age promises cheaper delivery costs but at what cost over all? I am looking at my recent iTunes purchases — Foals, MGMT, Joan as Policewoman — not to mention all my Beatport dance stuff
