In the days of where artists like Saul Williams and Nine Inch Nails promote online with their new projects to pay what you want for their projects, you do not come across labels that specifically make this happen. You may have sensational online devices such as bandcamp. But a label like Marathon Of Dope is one in itself. Based out of Canada, this label appears to build a very concrete buzz with their basic digital philosophy on their website. Here's what is quote when you first visit in the right hand column:
The music on offer at Marathon Of Dope is available for free download. We feel very strongly about delivering our music to your ears. After all, we make the music for our fans and listeners to enjoy. When you like the music you've downloaded (and we know that you will), you have the option to make a purchase to help offset the costs involved in producing the music. All artists have expenses related to creating their music. Studio time, equipment rentals, engineers, and advertising are just a few of the things that require money when a new project is developing.
Whatever money you decide is reasonable to pay for the music at Marathon Of Dope will go directly to the artists. That money will enable them to continue making high caliber music and bring it directly to you.
So there you have it-- the straight dope on how we sell music at Marathon Of Dope. The album is FREE or it costs whatever you feel it's worth.
We trust you'll see the value of the music we produce and we appreciate everybody's support past, present, and future. THANK YOU!
The importance of what they're doing with their pay what you want strategy is allowing the fans an option. Is it cost effective? It has to be with the strategy they are presenting. However, they have are correct about the expenses the artists accrue in putting their projects together. Will they generate enough money from the pay what you want strategy to cover these costs? Lets say 50 people download an album. 25 pay and 25 don't pay. 10 pay 15 dollars, 10 pay 10 dollars, and 5 pay 5 dollars. 275 dollars, right? Seems like the more of that goes into viral promotion, the more donations you could possibly get in variation. And that 275 dollars could become 500 dollars......which could turn into a 1000 dollars. Depending upon how the gospel of what Marathon Of Dope spreads in terms of its branding.
The upside is that they are picking up artists that are on different labels for different projects that already have established a name for themselves. For example, Peanuts & Corn label mates, John Smith, Pip Skid, and Birdpares all have projects on this label. They have established themselves in the hip hop scene in the Vancouver area. Definitive Jux rapper/producer, Mike Ladd, is also a good look for Marathon Of Dope as a label. As they develop their brand some more and target their audience even further, you can expect to hear more good things from this label.
Another thing to consider is if Marathon Of Dope will expand into different mediums of distributing their content. If they were to be retro and distribute their music on tapes and vinyl for people that request it as a specialty. It could possibly cost extra but its something you could see as a collectors item from this particular label. Overall, I think more labels should follow this example of giving the customer more to chose from in terms of price and how they can match it with the talent that they are supporting. My hat goes off to Marathon Of Dope for this movement.
