Support the Artist? What?

As we know from Basket Case and some others who haunt Kickstarter, or constantly Tweet about how fantastic they are, "artists" feel they should be SUPPORTED.

The donation. The tip jar. Buy the merch. Wear the t-shirt.

Everybody has a touch of a paternal/maternal feeling. They see some young (ok, she's not THAT young anymore) talent and have the need to nurture with compliments and cash. Like, "That's my kid..."

If it isn't a paternal/maternal feeling, it's outright lust: "I'd love to FUCK that singer. But since I can't, at least I can buy the CD."

Then there's the charity smirk. A lot of people donate on Kickstarter or buy a CD or go to a show to "support" the artist...because it makes THEM feel like big shots. Right: "Heh, I have a boring job but at least I'm not THIS pathetic artist begging for "support." OK, I'll throw some bucks down, I can afford it. It makes me feel good to be charitable to somebody who NEEDS me."

But after a while, the question does become, HOW much do you give, HOW many of these obscure people do you want to support, HOW many do you faithfully follow on FARCEBOOK and TWATTER, and WHAT the fuck are you doing this for and WHY?

What?

Does this even make sense?

First off these are cover versions and if you like Dusty, you know NOBODY did it better. So why bother?

Second, the small print indicates that our HEROINE went down to Muscle Shoals (did she do this via a Kickstarter campaign or her own dime) and apparently made an album.

Here are two tracks.

WHAT?

A CD single, plus one? TWO tracks, only? Aren't they going to be on the FULL ALBUM? You didn't go all the way down South to cut TWO tracks.

How much is a CD single? A buck, like any other single? Two?

OK, this one is ONLY FIVE BUCKS.

The instinct is "sure, I'll support you," for whatever reason, paternal, lustful, or because you have a fiverrrrr to spare.

Besides, it's AUTOGRAPHED.

That leads you to click the ordering link, and discover it ain't a fiverrr at all.

Let's DOUBLE that price.

Ah, shipping and tax. Sad but true, inflation always comes to the fucking POST OFFICE first. In fact, they raised their rates last week.

To mail a mere CD, which is about four ounces, they expect you to pay about $3.50. Maybe you get delivery confirmation with that, maybe not.

Don't forget, a bubble-wrap mailer is another 25 cents at least, if you buy in bulk. More if you just buy a few at the stationery store.

So, $5 shipping and handing is NOT unreasonable, except...THIS IS A 2 SONG CD! The inference is that you will eventually be buying the FULL CD when it comes out.

Oh well. Artists do what they can, and a number of people do "Support the Artist" no matter what. But sometimes you do ask...WHAT??