On (not) stealing music

There are countless ways we justify it: The artist doesn't get much from CD sales anyway, all of the money goes to the record companies and production costs. They make their money from live shows and other merchandise, not CD sales (do you even buy the other merchandise or go to shows? For all of the artists you like?). It's like when your friend copied their tape for you or like making a mix tape (who ever said that was legal?)

It's not about laws for me and it's not about where the money goes. It's about doing what's right. Over the last year I've started to feel strong convictions over a few things*, one of the being my music collection, most of which was acquired by less than ethical means. So I deleted it. To be honest, I kept a few things that are OOP (out of print) or that I didn't see available for purchase online from a US seller.

I've purged my music collection a few times before, like when I stopped listening to any music that was not influenced by Christ. This time was much more drastic; I went from 737 albums (yes, albums) to 138. Actually 138 includes a few that I've purchased since the purge. My collection previously wouldn't fit on my old 60GB iPod, it is now only 7.37GB. Wait, that's weird, I had 737 albums and now my music takes up 7.37GB.

Deleting most of my music has really helped me realize what music I really enjoy the most, what I miss the most. I made a list of what I had and what I really wanted to buy but now I don't even think I want all of that, I just don't miss some of it like I thought I would.

Here's what I'm lovin' these days and links to an album by them:
JJ Heller, I just bought her newest album Deeper
Mason Jennings
The Civil Wars
The Innocence Mission
Denison Witmer
Page France
Sleeping at Last
Carlos Whittaker
Brown Feather Sparrow

I'm really missing Ray LaMontagne too, but I haven't bought any yet.

It's hard, but Pandora helps.

(*) "a few things" also includes eating pork and shellfish, what I wear, and a third thing that I'll write about once I've figured it out.