Indie Label Asthmatic Kitty To Amazon: Sufjan Stevens Is “Worth More Than The Cost Of A Latte”
(UPDATED) Some record labels would be happy that Amazon was going to give a deep discount on their hot new release. In fact, Amazon usually absorbs losses incurred by any below wholesale pricing. But indie label Asthmatic Kitty was worried that Amazon's low pre-sale price for their Sufjan Stevens release and the creations of other hardworking artists is at risk of being undervalued.
"A low price will introduce a lot of people to Sufjan’s music and to this wonderful album. For that, we’re grateful,” wrote the label in a email to fans. “But we also feel like the work that our artists produce is worth more than a cost of a latte… We personally feel that physical products like EPs should sell for around $7 and full-length CDs for around $10-12. We think digital EPs should sell for around $5 and full-length digital albums for something like $8.”
Then the email pointed fans to retailers selling the release at higher prices than Amazon.
Right on, AK! Outstanding point and stated perfectly.
Um – I’m thinking Asthmatic Kitty should probably offer a retraction of these comments, given that Sufjan’s new album is part of Amazon’s $3.99 Daily Deal promotion. WTF??!!
http://www.amazon.com/The-Age-of-Adz/dp/B0043X7WLA/ref=xs_gb_bd_DsB!jXhIall-?pf_rd_p=441937801&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=20&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1MWR2EP8P7X67CYDWXM1
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/archives/2010/10/asthmatic_kitty.php