Chang said consumers of world music have developed preferences for certain labels and certain kinds of music and are less likely to purchase a CD based on the novelty factor. At the same time, many exceptional artists who lacked a global audience before the genre came into existence have now been discovered. With each passing year the crop of new discoveries yields fewer gems.
Wind Music sells titles through Yahoo and Hinet, and visitors will be able to download music from its Web site next year. But as more people get their music online, fewer are wandering into the world music sections of record stores. And Wind Records' entire catalogue is available on several Chinese Web sites that sell pirated music.
"This makes us more careful," Chang said. The company's strategy has been to reduce the size of its catalogue and focus on music that addresses specific needs, such as albums for yoga or meditation, and to increase the media exposure of its artists.
Lien said the changes are a mixed blessing for artists like him. "For independent musicians, the Internet provides them with an opportunity to present their material to the public, which is cool, because music should be as free as a bird."
On the other hand, his music is expensive to produce because he hires real musicians, rather than relying on samples and computers. "I recognize the potential of a ring tone hit," he said, "but I'm deeply frustrated because I don't spend countless hours sweating it out in the studio getting a mix just right so somebody can listen to my music on mono."
When asked about her own label's sales, Chung indicated it was not her primary concern. She said she was more interested in expanding her customer's musical horizons.
"We're an independent label," she said. "If you're concerned about numbers, you shouldn't be in this business."
Performance Notes:
What: Urna
Where: Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Taipei
When: Tomorrow and Sunday at 7pm
Tickets: NT$1,000 to NT$2,000 tickets still available for both performances through ERA ticketing, www.ticket.com.tw
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