It is good promotion, but it isn't all good. A lot of dance music, but particularly genres like techno are very bad at actually providing the 'punters' with any sort of products to own. Please excuse the use of commerical terms, however, the inclusive nature of techno basically means that a punter, is anyone who isn't a dj, producer, promotor etc - a techno music, clubber for want of a better word.

Back in the day, before the internet took off, if you loved techno - you generally bought a record player and just bought the 12s. Now you can just download your favourite dj's mixes off the internet. I personally think the decline of record sales may in fact be partly due to the loss of this casual sales element.

For the record, I'm not a DJ, I have a pretty decent collection of vinyl - certainly to the point where some of the records in it. I also love listening to good mixes and lives sets, but I always try and support the artists that impress me, buy their records, go and see them at clubs.

But as I've said a few times on here and other forums, you always get people saying 'oh if I had the cash, I would buy x,y and z' and I think this is such a crock - these people have money for internet connections and doubtless when the are out they are smoking fags and drinking beer. The fact is that a few years ago, people made the money available to support the artists they love - now its too easy to take what is available for free.

its all about personal ethics and taking some responsibility for ensuring the survival of what you love.