So with people always wondering why Axl n Co won't release new music there are millions of questions of why they do the things they do now.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=146943here's a little piece Serj had to say about the digital ways and recording of new music
EspyRock: A big part of the release is the packaging which uses tree-free paper. There are of course people who still love to purchase albums, receive all the artwork and specials that are including in physical releases but with the rise in digital music sales and labels being reluctant to break deals with manufacturers and unwilling to explore alternatives, do you feel that digital is the way forward?
Serj: There will always be a market for physical product. I, for one, love getting the vinyl and CD, checking out the artwork with the packaging, design, and material developed and decided by the artist and his people. However, most future sales will be digital, and I'm totally cool with that as well. It's the most green way to proceed as well, of course.
EspyRock: On the topic of owning and obtaining music there is the issue of illegal downloading and sharing of music. This isn't something new to you with the 2002 incident of low quality MP3s being leaked of SYSTEM OF A DOWN songs which led to the release of "Steal This Album!" Are you against sharing and downloading or do you agree with some artists that having your music reach a wide and varied audience will in fact benefit you in the future?
Serj: It's never one or the other. The piracy of music has caused a contraction in the industry as we know it, which in turn, has caused labels to focus even less on artist development and focus on the few easy hits (mega pop format). The reach of music and the popular rise of music listening has risen dramatically further through piracy and that's great, of course. So it's really not an easy thing to take sides on. I think people should support artists financially so that artists continue what they do best and not be forced to look for other avenues of expression or income.
You see many more artists touring than making records because that's more profitable. That's not good for the recording of records. I think that's how Axl thinks about it as well.
and with all record labels going after popsensations and 2 year old's who think they can be a superstar... labels aren't very much interested with music from the older bands that have been around for decades (I think)