This makes sense, some pragmatism around who actually buys music and how much you can make from tour dates (see below) if you're already established.
Wonder if artists are going to bother with labels in the future if you only need to pay for mastering and artwork to get your music out there....
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RUSKO - one of dance music’s most outspoken artists – announces today that he will release all his original music going forward for free. Beginning with the November 4 release of his “KAPOW” EP all new RUSKO music will be available for free download through Ruskoonfire.com/kapow. “KAPOW” will also be available via iTunes on November 6
“KAPOW” is a four-track workout that blends dubstep, rave anthems and Hip-Hop with an energy that only RUSKO delivers. “Yeah,” is the ultimate jump up rave/dubstep anthem blending jagged basslines with a signature rave vocal. It’s available for free download now on Rollingstone.com. “Booyakasha” is car chase dubstep; perfect for a showdown in the hood. “Bring It Back” blends twisted dubstep basslines with old school piano licks and a touch of soul, while “Like This” blends Hip-Hop with chunky break beats.
"The natural thing for me to do is release “KAPOW” myself. How I want. The way I want and at the speed I want. It's about promotion and not profit - I want to give the fans the music in real time. If they can help me promote it too then it's essentially what a label does anyway but just without copyright restrictions. The fans are key in the success of “KAPOW.” If you like it, send it to a friend. I just want everyone to be able have my music if they want it," RUSKO says.
RUSKO is supporting “KAPOW” with a fall North American tour that launches on October 26 in Chicago, Illinois and runs through the end of November.
KAPOW EP Tracklisting
“Yeah”
“Booyakasha”
“Bring It Back”
“Like This”
10/26 - Chicago, IL – Aragon
10/27 - Toronto, ON - Sound Academy
10/28 - New York, NY - Pier 94
10/29 - Philadelphia, PA - Starlite Ballroom
10/30 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
10/31 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
11/9 - Santa Ana, CA - Observatory
11/10 - Las Vegas, NV - Surrender
11/11 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee
11/12 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater
11/13 - El Paso, TX - Tricky Falls
11/15 - Dallas, TX - Lizard Lounge
11/16 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
11/17 - Austin, TX - Emo's East
11/19 - Nashville, TN - Limelight
11/20 - Chattanooga, TN - Track 29
11/21 - Asheville, NC - Orange Peel
11/23 - Orlando, FL - House Of Blues
11/24 - Pompano Beach, FL - Club Cinema