Lars Ulrich talks about the evolution of the music industry

The Metallica co-founder and drummer Lars Ulrich, who is known for being the leader of the fight against Napster, which was a file sharing program that allowed people in the late 90s and early 00s to share music for free, talked in an interview with SmartLess (Transcribed by Blabbermouth) about the evolution of the music business.

Lars Ulrich talks about the evolution of the music industry

“Well, obviously it’s changed quite a bit. And in your guys’ industry, some of the same things that we were dealing with 20 years ago are happening. Big picture, and I know this may sound like a little bit of a cop-out, I’m just happy that fucking anybody cares about what we’re doing and shows up to see us play and still stream or buy or steal our records or whatever.”

“The engagement itself, I think, is the triumph and the victory. Obviously, it’s way, way harder for a lot of the younger bands nowadays because they don’t get the support of the record companies for basic things — just like gear and tour support. So there is very much of a different thing,” Lars Ulrich said.

The artist also talked about how difficult it is for a new band to become successful nowadays: “Talent, good songwriting eventually will find a home with a larger group of people. And whether you do it from your bedroom or through a record company or whatever, I believe that everybody will be heard eventually if they’re talented.”

“But it is tough. It’s tough for a lot of the younger bands out there and for a lot of the… The bands that 20 years ago could make a living playing clubs or theaters are having a harder time now because they don’t sell as many records and you really have to be out there and pushing it,” Lars Ulrich said.