Earlier this week clips from Daft Punk's soundtrack for the film "Tron: Legacy" leaked to the internet from Seattle radio station 107.7 The End. This is the same station that last week also leaked clips of songs from The Arcade Fire's The Suburbs.
Earlier this week clips from Daft Punk’s soundtrack for the film “Tron: Legacy” leaked to the internet from Seattle radio station 107.7 The End. This is the same station that last week also leaked clips of songs from The Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs.
Neither release is a surprise considering the music business is leakier than BP’s oil wells (too soon?) but what is interesting is this new trend: the song clip.
We used to receive MP3′s or full album releases, but sites and internet pirates have started reducing these songs to little 30 second tastes. They’re almost like movie trailers for songs, only letting you get that small mouthful to whet the appetite.
It might be the best music marketing strategy in years. In an industry long on supply and seeing ever-dwindling demand, the clip reasserts and artificial, yet palpable sense of demand into the music marketplace. Not that Arcade Fire’s embraced the strategy—they requested The End take down the stream. Nevertheless, the stream only stoked the feverish anticipation for “The Suburbs,” due out in August.
However, I believe the clip is cheapening the art of the music itself. I know people who refuse to watch trailers for movies. They say it ruins the best parts, and it often does.
Songs are meant to be listened to, explored and lived with. We may have to live with these 30-second clips of “The Suburbs” until August, but damn if I’m going to like it.
Clips of Daft Punk’s Scoring of Tron: Legacy
Daft Punk for Tron Legacy Soundtrack by Hypetrak
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