[sc4fpse]

Normally, I wouldn't care one bit about someone random like this. But I think the last few bits from the interview are interesting to note, as far as a using a record label goes and all.

Sponsor Jill Sobule's album, get a spot on it - CNN.com

Interesting bits bolded for dramatic effect.

CNN: Have you gone through all the money?

Sobule: I have pretty much gone through all of it. I did not know how expensive it was to do all of this.

CNN: No wonder the record labels are broke. You could have done it for less than 75 grand if you did it in your home office on Pro Tools [computer-based recording equipment].

Sobule: Yeah. I could have done it for less than $75,000 -- and I probably will for my next one -- but I wanted to do it the old-fashioned way one last time, and do everything that the label does -- publicity, promotion, marketing, distribution, printing the old CDs. I guess that's what an indie budget would be at a label.

CNN: It's hard to make any money selling CDs these days.

Sobule: I have never made a cent off a record in my life. I have never recouped enough, and I never sold enough. When people see you have a song on MTV, they think you are doing well -- but you know, the way the traditional label deal was set up, it is really hard for an artist, unless they sold a lot, to see anything.

CNN: So what you're saying is that you're seeing your first dollar from record sales with this album?

Sobule: I will see my first dollar.

CNN: Because you're eliminating the record company as the middleman.

Sobule: Other artists -- I think this is completely a model for them to do. I think that it's very hard to be an artist more than ever, but it is also a very exciting time. It feels like the Wild West in a way..

Next time you decide to pirate your music, just make sure you check up on the artist first. If they're independent, buy the damn album for gosh sakes. If they're on one of these big record labels... well, now you can rest your pirate heart easier at night, knowing that they wouldn't have seen much if any of that music anyways.

Screw record labels.