Sufjan Stevens Unhappy With Cheap Online Album Sales


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Acclaimed songwriter Sufjan Stevens has criticised the popular online market Amazon for it’s practise of selling music at discount prices, claiming the structure devalues the work of artists.

In an e-mail released to fans, Stevens’ record label Asthmatic Kitty admitted the cheaper prices may persuade more people to purchase their music, but added that they feel the output from their associated acts is worth more than Amazon’s prices. “We have mixed feelings about discounted pricing,” the label explained.

“Like we said, we love getting good music into the hands of good people, and when a price is low, more people buy. A low price will introduce a lot of people to Sufjan’s music and to this wonderful album. For that, we’re grateful.

But we also feel like the work that our artists produce is worth more than a cost of a latte. We value the skill, love, and time they’ve put into making their records. And we feel that our work too, in promotion and distribution, is also valuable and worthwhile.”

Asthmatic Kitty have urged fans to avoid Amazon and visit independent retailers such as Bandcamp instead, for a service which enables artists to sell their music directly to fans.

Sufjan Stevens’ new album ‘The Age Of Adz‘ is due for release on October 12th.


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