The Music slam download culture

By Damian Jones
Newsbeat reporter

The Music are set to hit the road for a six date tour of the UK in October

The Music singer Rob Harvey has admitted that he feels disillusioned by the digital revolution.

The frontman claims that the rise in downloads and the fall in record sales has made music too disposable.

He said: "Songs have just become an accessory now, they're not something to believe in anymore and they can't change lives like they used too."

Harvey also criticised big bands for giving away free downloads and not helping unsigned acts.

Download singles

"I think it's becoming increasingly more difficult for unsigned bands to do anything and I find it bizarre that bands who give music away act like saviours when they could quite easily be helping smaller bands on the label who can't afford to even tour," Harvey admitted.

"I just feel there is less investment in real music now."

The Music tour Inverness Iron Works (October 22) Dunfermline Kinema (23) Dundee Fat Sams (25) Aberdeen Moshulu (26) Edinburgh Picture House (27) London Roundhouse (29)

Coldplay and Keane have recently allowed fans to download singles for free while the Charlatans, Prince and Nine Inch Nails have made their albums available for nothing.

Radiohead also allowed fans to name their price for their LP In Rainbows while Bloc Party released their album, Intimacy, at a cut price cost.

"Music is throwaway now and you can just get hold of a song by pushing a button," he said.

"I remember when people used to save their pocket money and go and stand outside a record shop and be excited about the doors opening. That's not there anymore. It's missed."

The band are due to start a UK tour in October which wraps up at the London Roundhouse.

The Music are also set to release new single Drugs on 13 October and Harvey said they may bring out an EP.

He added: "We're hoping to get a bit of writing done before the end of the year and release an EP to bridge the gap between this record and the next one."