"Bumpin' into Geniuses" book review

This is a good history of rock from the 60s through the early 80s. A lot has changed in the music business, but there is something real about the relationship the author (Danny Goldberg) had with the artists. This wonderful review by Jody Rosen appears in the NYTimes.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/books/review/Rosen-t.html?_r=1&ref=books&oref=slogin

7 mainstream steps for the indie musician

Here is a good, short list of promotional steps that can be helpful to indie musicians.

http://blogno-us.blogspot.com/2008/09/7-main-streams-of-internet-resources.html

Google helping the music industry?

WSJ's MarketWatch reports that Google Content VP (David Eun) says:

"World-famous search engine Google, which has just celebrated its 10th anniversary, is behind more than 100 content access products and services, including YouTube, Gmail, Maps, Orkut and Picasa. New for the music industry, Google has recently launched a free download service in China, in partnership with the Top100.cn website.
At the head of this strategy, David Eun will discuss the mechanisms behind and the advantages of such diversification of content access within an economic model built around free services."

An economic model built around free services...sounds crazy. Just like Google!

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/david-eun-reveals-googles-content/story.aspx?guid=%7BD1ED626E-11F1-4696-BF9A-DF28505BA547%7D&dist=hppr

IP Watch:

Kaitlin Mara writes "Outside the realm of mainstream proprietary entertainment, owned by big studios and protected by brand names, lay large numbers of artists without audiences looking for the means to distribute their creativity, and groups of people who yearn for art reflective of experiences not touched upon by the mainstream movies and music. These artists have created independent side industries that challenge conventional views on piracy."

This abstract language could be applied to musicians of avant garde music, Native American music, aboriginal music from the Outback -- any music with little commercial appeal.

http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/index.php?p=1221

Passionato launches in UK for Classical Music

DRM-free Passionato tries to do for Classical what others do for Pop. The site only has 18,000 titles with a handful of mainstream labels. It is in direct competition with DG Web Shop. The Classical field had a reputation (30 years ago) of doing the R&D for the entire music field. It's sort of sad to see this website touted as potential break-through.
Bad news too -- it is available for the UK -- only.
If you want to see a leader in the classical music field, I would recommend the American Music Center's streaming audio internet station: counterstreamradio.org. It's much smaller, narrower in its focus, but edgier and (thus) better.

http://www.last100.com/2008/09/11/attention-classical-music-fans-passionato-is-open-for-business-but-only-in-the-uk/

THE AGE: The future of music is "the audience"

The greatest quote comes out of this story from THE AGE, an Australian website/publication:
"Traditional music structures are losing ground, but still the only thing that matters is the audience" which was spoken by Paul Cashmere from undercover.com.au.
The Future of Music is never directly quoted in the story -- all of the theses of the book are stated over and over again.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/net-is-the-new-order-for-pop-success-20080912-4fl3.html

OINK website part of an INTERPOL bust in the UK

The music police bust an IT worker in Middleborough for file-sharing. Isn't there a better way?

"The raid was part of an Interpol-led investigation, involving music industry bodies the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI)."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tees/7612128.stm

How to create a tribe

Our good friend in England has a free video describing the ways to market your band. Here's the link. It's online for a short time.

http://www.innerrhythm.org/blog/nonconformity-video-presentation/

Pure Play new platform for indies to compete on internet

As seen in the Earth Times:
"Unsigned artists may upload their music and profiles on site and immediately begin to monetize their music, generate a fan base, and create commercial opportunities by taking advantage of Pure Play's extensive relationships in the commercial sectors. Pure Play Music, (OTC: PPML) a leading digital distribution platform assisting unsigned artists in promoting and selling their music worldwide, has officially launched their site worldwide."

This site adds an the innovation of a social networking component to what already widely exists for indies. If The Future of Music tells us anything it is that the internet can start eliminating the customer's perception of what an indie and a record company can do on the internet. As muscle is put on the bone for indies, they will begin to look like what recording companies should have been doing for the past ten years.

Again, from the Earth Times:
"Pure Play Music portal, www.PurePlayMusic.com, provides an array of online social media features for unknown and independent artists, and a user-friendly interface to upload content. Fans and artists can listen to music, watch videos, rate artists, write blogs, send e-mail, and upload their own music all on one site. In addition, Pure Play is adding new features to expand the fan pages so fans can post information about themselves. In the area of social networking through music, this is revolutionary.
Pure Play offers DRM-free download from its music catalogues, and its content is compatible on virtually all digital music players. Pure Play offers independent artists the ability to control the future direction of their careers, by providing the opportunity for artists to sign with any record label they choose through their non-exclusive arrangement with Pure Play. Once they sign with a major label, Pure Play Music retains rights to distribute the artists' music for up to 90 days through its alternative channels.
Artists maintain 100 percent of the royalties achieved from on-site downloads, and up to 40 percent of the revenue generated from the sale of "hear it, buy it" compilation CDs and MP3s at stores playing Pure Play's catalogues.
"We are very excited to break the mold of the current music business model and really offer our musicians and fans an new alternative. We actively market our artists to provide new sources of revenue through mass exposure. We understand that commercial placements increase our artists' earning potential. Bands are broken on shows, commercials, and video games these days; we have the history and relationships in the industry to help them achieve their goals," says Grange.
In addition to retail in-store airplay and CD sales, Pure Play Music is introducing a range of other distribution channels, including an online store where artists can sell their music directly to the public. This allows them to retain complete control and 100 percent of the royalties generated through the sale of their music.
For our fans, we offer an incredible experience in being able to listen to music from unknown artists around the world. Our stringent screening of all uploaded musicians ensures that our listeners hear only the very best new, unsigned music. We want our fans to turn to us as their source for new music, and the go-to site to listen to breaking bands worldwide. With us, music fans have the inside track on what's new, hip, and edgy before it becomes trendy. Our artists are feeding the tastemakers of this generation," adds Grange.
With a total of over 6,500 artists from 42 countries around the world in the Pure Play catalogue, Pure Play Music is quickly becoming the venue of choice for unsigned artists to upload their music and capitalize on Pure Play's resources.
Pure Play has six retail radio stations delivered via satellite or online with agreements with over 20,000 retail outlets from around the globe to feature their artists. Pure Play radio station can be heard online at www.PurePlayMusic.com.

About Pure Play Music
Pure Play currently features and promotes over 6,000 artists from a total of 42 countries, all of whom have been through the stringent Pure Play A&R selection and legal process. Artists grant Pure Play specific non-exclusive commercial rights to their music. The Pure Play Web site allows access to the main radio broadcast, six genre-specific music streams, on-demand music tracks, artist pages, business directories, news articles, download store, an international gig guide, and numerous other features, all of which contribute to an average page view quantity per visitor only exceeded by a few established on-line communities. Under development for launch for the end of 2008 is 'Pure Play People,' the Pure Play social networking platform, believed to be the next generation of both social networking and radio broadcasting.
Safe Harbor
This release includes forward-looking statements generally identified by phrases such as "believes," "expects" or "anticipates," "foresees," "forecasts," "estimates" or other words or phrases of similar import. The Company's business strategy, plans, intentions, or goals are forward-looking statements and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements.
Links
www.PurePlayMusic.com
www.GregoryFCA.com"

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/speakerheart-artists-perform-next-big/story.aspx?guid=%7B70B9357D-27BA-4963-B22A-BD10F9196199%7D&dist=hppr

The Toronto Globe & Mail's blog by Jack Kapica quotes Aubrey Winfield (Orange Lounge Recording Company) with the following:

"...the music business is healthy — the CD business is bad.” An interesting article on the recording industry's attempt to re-invent a business from a small-business entrepreneur.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080909.WBcyberia20080909180233/WBStory/WBcyberia

LIVE NATION spin-off

By selling off its motor sports division for $175 million and $30 million performance-based rvenue. This sale brings to a close a sell-off that has narrowed the focus of LIVE NATION on its music businesses. The sales have generated $465 million.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/live-nation-completes-sale-motor/story.aspx?guid=%7B83203E6F-4FA7-4031-858A-DB31230D74CC%7D&dist=hppr

As the blurb in this WSJ website says:
Live Nation is the future of the music business. With the most live concerts, music venues and festivals in the world and the most comprehensive concert search engine on the web, Live Nation is revolutionizing the music industry: onstage and online. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol "LYV." Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.livenation.com under the "About Us" section.

(Some have called it the Evil Empire -- you've gotta admire the storm trooper language.)

DCIA - important trade organization conference

P2P means "person-to-person" and is both the greatest threat to and opportunity for the music business. The first conference that brings together "peer-to-peer and social networking software developers and distributors (P2Ps), Internet service providers (ISPs), content rights holders (CRHs), and service-and-support companies" for its inaugural P2P & MUSIC CONFERENCE, which will take place on October 10, 2008 at PopKomm in Berlin, Germany.

The conference is sponsored by Cugate, QTRAX, Unlimited Media, and Javien Digital Payment Solutions.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/9/prweb1307224.htm

Kavit Haria - music guru

Here's an interesting website. Lots of answers for the musician in a band.

http://innerrhythm.eventwax.com/how-to-grow-a-successful-music-career---exeter

Cool job opening at NPR

No telecommunity. Must live in Washington DC. Oversee $10 million budget with a charge to lead NPR's (national public radio) transition from radio-only to a multi-media company.

Can you spell convergence? And why is NPR behind American Public Media which is behind the British Broadcasting Corporation? Good questions.

http://jobs.cmswire.com/job/611/

Tufts University students vs RIAA

In its continued campaign to bust students that are pirating music using file-sharing websites/services, the RIAA continues to gain a more nuanced and sophisticated approach in hunting down the "evil-doers." Matt Repka from the Tufts Daily reports on the smack-down.

http://www.tuftsdaily.com/news/1.616076

Un-Convention, one of thousands AND a good thing

Ben Cardew of Music Week writes about a London conference that showcases local artists and addresses new business models that can assist them. Acting locally sometimes is so local that it falls below the international radar screen. It is still a very good thing. I especially appreciate the..."renews emphasis on live performance..." that is quoted in context, below.

"Organisers claim they will be joined by “over thirty of the most forward-thinking minds in the current scene”, with discussions on the future role of record labels, the renewed emphasis on live performance, how to gain exposure across all forms of media and a look at some of the most innovative ideas and business models around.

Un-convention is also running a blog, to be found at www.unconvention.wordpress.com, so participants can have their say on what should be discussed at the event."

http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1035384&c=1

Great online interview about the music industry

Check this out. DailyTech offers an online interview with Rich Bengloff, president of A2IM. Good information about Pandora, iTunes, Rhapsody, Matador, SubPop, Epitaph, and Saddle Creek. Also, piracy is damaging to independent artists AND major label artists. Mr. Bengloff focuses on the problems with DRM. This interview is a little dry, but is wonderfully informative.

http://www.dailytech.com/DailyTech+Talks+Piracy+Taxes+and+More+With+Independent+Music+Chief/article12852.htm

myAWOL now LP33.tv

In launching a new "brand," it's important to get your name right. myAOL is about to launch at the same time as start-up myAWOL. Someone had to change their name -- who do you think flinched?

On the other side, could LP33.tv be a place for your mubu majors to get their first job?

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/listen-up-music-fans--/story.aspx?guid=%7B68AF623A-5FD8-4168-9DB7-AEA27BEFCE8D%7D&dist=hppr

MySpace Music ship without a captain

You've got a hugely successful social networking website with millions raging through your portal. You see the opportunity to create a robust music service that can rival iTunes. Your CEO is hot for the idea. You begin plans to launch the site; resources are brought online. You forgot one thing: you need someone to lead and coordinate the business.

MySpace is about ready to launch its music service. Do you think it will be a success?

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10032248-93.html

Australian pirate

It is too early to attribute guilt, but I do believe there are bad people in the world and that piracy is nothing but piracy -- no high-minded arguments about the old business models operating in the recording industry. Pirates arrrrrre bad.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24293239-29277,00.html