Dave McMillan''s current album is free to download online
. Which made me want to know - Why? So I asked him that, along with 9 other questions...
Introducing Dave...
Dave McMillan is a Durban based musical artist who has been involved in the South African music scene for as long as he can remember. He has had the honour of sharing the stage and studio with some of South Africa''s finest bands and solo artists including - Farryl Purkiss, Shannon Hope, Roly Struckmeyer, Matt Wilkinson, Nibs van der Spuy and many more.
(Source: Dave McMillan''s MySpace page)
10 Questions for Dave McMillan
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"The days of artists selling their hard copy albums is over...you absolutely need to get your music heard no matter what."
- Dave McMillan
1. What place (in SA) do you call home, and why?
Durban will always be home for me. Mostly because of the friends that I have here and the different musicians that I have the opportunity to jam with.
2. Favourite place to have breakfast near(ish) where you live?
The Umhlanga Ski Boat Club. It''s right on the beach, a 1 minute walk form my house, and they do a killer breakfast for anywhere from R22. What a pleasure!
3. What, exactly, do you do for a living?
I make a living by playing live shows and building websites.
4. Your album is available free to download online. Why would you do that?
This is something I could explain for hours on end so I''ll try keep it as short as I can. Basically, there is no real money in the selling of hard copy albums. Even if you have a record deal and move thousands of discs, you will end up paying about 90% back for the cost of distribution etc. The music industry has changed drastically in the last few years with internet downloads etc. The Rolling Stones for example, did only 4% of their entire turnover last year in album sales. So that leaves 96% for live shows, merchandise, use of songs on TV, radio etc.I''ve done a lot of homework and basically, the days of artists selling their hard copy albums is over (and this statement is backed up by the latest music summit in Washington, and most major music publications such as Rolling Stone magazine etc). You absolutely need to get your music heard no matter what. That''s when opportunities come. I''ve seen too many great SA bands come and go without anyone ever hearing their music. And it''s mostly due to the fact that the music doesn''t get out there, not enough people come to gigs, and the band breaks up. Your average music follower in SA won''t hesitate to pay R60 to watch a band they''ve been listening to and love, but will hesitate to pay R100 for an album from that same band.The only money a band can really put in their back pockets is the money from their live shows, merchandise and songs being used on radio/TV etc. It''s just a mindset. Let the people hear your music, and love your music. The die-hards will want a hard copy album anyway because it now becomes a novelty. I''m very passionate about this so I should probably leave it there :)
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The view from Dave''s Umhlanga flat
5. Which SA musicians / bands do you listen to?
Perez, aKING, Roly Struckmeyer, Son Of Old, Aidan Cornhill, Rob Warren, Andy Lund.
6. What inspires you (in your work, every day, in life)?
I guess music in general inspires me in both my own music and other things that I do.
7. When you’re away from SA what do you miss?
Well I haven''t spent tons of time away from SA. But on the odd trip I''ve done I remember missing our familiar culture.
8. Tell us, briefly, about a positive or unique South African holiday / travelling experience.
For me, the Garden Route drive through the Cape is always special. I went on a tour with a band called Driverlane and we drove the Garden Route playing shows all the way down. I''ve also spent a month in the Wilderness before. That part of the Cape is truly amazing. I think any holiday near there is a winner.
9. Who is your South African hero, and why?
Not too sure about this one. There are a lot of people in SA that I respect and admire. Anyone who isn''t doing harm to other people is right up there for me.
10. Is there a tour in the pipeline?
I''m busy plotting gigs in Cape Town for early next year. And then there''ll be others around Durbs and Jo''burg when possible. You can download the album free here - http://www.davemcmillanmusic.com/ , and check out upcoming gig dates & events on my Facebook group