How Can The Music Industry Be Dead When More Music Is Being Produced And More Money Is Being Made?

from the woe-is-me dept

Kyle sent over yet another musician, named Nathan Harden, pulling out the "woe is me" schtick in an article claiming that this generation "killed rock 'n' roll." It hits on all the usual debunked points and only quotes industry sources on the major label side of the business, assumes that the only way to make money in the music business is by selling albums or songs, and doesn't even realize what a huge contradiction it makes in the process. It starts out by quoting record sales stats, but ignoring all of the recent studies that show that money hasn't gone away, it's just shifted to other channels -- and those channels are ones where the actual artists get more money. It's true that the major record labels are making less -- no one denies that. But it's folly to claim that this means the death of rock 'n' roll or music at all. Another recent study showed more music being released today than ever before in history. That doesn't sound like a dying industry at all. In fact, this guy effectively admits that when he complains:
On my own MySpace page, I can upload my own band's music to the web in a matter of minutes, and sell it to anyone in the world with an internet connection. Theoretically, it has never been easier to be heard. Yet hundreds of thousands of other musicians are competing for attention online.
But wait... just before that you were claiming that rock 'n' roll was dead. And yet here you are admitting that there are so many other musicians putting up their music as well? The two things do not compute.

As far as I can tell, Harden's real complaint isn't that rock 'n' roll is dying, but that a major label won't just turn him into a rockstar. Instead, he might have to actually do some work to build up a fan base, and that's icky:
Without support from a record label, musicians must master the intricacies of search engine optimization, social networking, email blasts, and twittering -- not to mention traditional tasks like booking shows. Not surprisingly, many musicians lack such skills.
This has been discussed at length, with musicians who do that stuff pointing out that it's not that much work at all, and if it's really a problem, you work with someone (the "5th Beatle") who does it for you.
Can you, even for a moment, imagine Janis Joplin pouring over HTML manuals, or Jimi Hendrix spending hours each day spamming potential fans on MySpace? Not likely. Had those two tried to make it in today's marketplace, we may never have even heard of them.
Can you, even for a moment, imagine Jonathan Coulton going the major label route or Matthew Ebel getting a six figure advance from a major label? Not likely. Had those two tried to make it in yesterday's marketplace, we may never have even heard of them.

The fact that more musicians are making music today and being able to release it and make a living from it than ever before suggests that things are actually looking much better, and we're far from "the death of rock 'n' roll," but reaching an incredible age of creativity, where people who had no chance at all before are now able to make music and make a living.

And furthermore, it's ridiculous to suggest that artists like Hendrix and Joplin didn't work hard to build their fanbase with what tools were available at the time.
In other words, it may not hurt Beyonce or AC/DC if you download their music. They are, after all, astonishingly wealthy. But it does hurt the record labels, which, in turn, cannot afford to sign, develop and promote as many new artists. Consequently, our music is becoming less diverse. In the long run, music lovers themselves are deprived.
I'm not sure what music Harden's been listening to lately, but I've actually found music to be a lot more diverse these days, because it's possible for bands to experiment and try different styles, and reach a worldwide audience. I've been listening to a reggae band from Spain the past few days. A few years ago, I never would have known they existed.

Sorry, Nathan Harden, but you've been sold the myth that only record labels make the music industry and that only through selling records does the music industry work. That's simply not true. Yes, the record labels are having trouble, but rock 'n' roll isn't dying. It's thriving by adapting to this new market.
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Filed Under: music, music industry, nathan harden, recording industry


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  • identicon
    RD, 11 Feb 2010 @ 7:47am

    Ask TAM

    Just ask TAM, the industry mouthpiece. I'm sure he can explain it. I mean, we've pointed these things out before, and somehow, there is still a BIG PROBLEM, somewhere...

    Dark Knight and now Avatar set box office RECORDS, yet the industry is "dying" (usually laid at the feet of "piracy", a movement that has a SMALL FRACTION of the total amount of people online engaging in)

    The MUSIC industry is making MORE MONEY than ever, and as you point out, more and diverse music than ever is being CREATED. (but the RECORDING industry is suffering, so its "piracy's" fault and the ENTIRE INDUSTRY is being "killed")

    Now you have book publishers wanting to increase ebook prices FIFTY PERCENT, all the while locking them to specific devices and not providing any means to give/sell/trade legit copies like you would a real book. Guess where they will lay the blame when THIS fails?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      The Anti-Mike (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 7:57am

      Re: Ask TAM

      RD, please!

      I have told you I do not know how many times, I do not work in the music business.

      If you cannot get the simple facts straight, how can anyone take the rest of your posts seriously?

      MAYBE IF I TYPE IT ALL IN CAPITAL LETTERS YOU WILL UNDERSTAND, But I doubt it.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Chronno S. Trigger (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 8:43am

        Re: Re: Ask TAM

        He didn't say you were working for them, he said you were their mouth peace. That didn't suggest that any money was crossing hands or that there was even a connection at all. Just that you constantly defend them even in their dumbest hours.

        If you cannot get the simple fact straight, how can anyone take the rest of your posts seriously (granted, the don't anyways)?

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          The Anti-Mike (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 9:15am

          Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

          RD has called me an industry shill, has said they are my overlords, bosses, etc.

          He is totally fixated on the (incorrect) concept that I would for the music business.

          He is being a total ass about it, and having corrected him numerous times, I am sick and tired of it. He is rude, he is insulting, and most of all, HE IS WRONG (even in capital letters).

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Luci, 11 Feb 2010 @ 9:19am

            Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

            You /ARE/ in industry shill. That doesn't mean they pay you at all, it just means that you parrot their points ad nauseum, even in the face of dissenting opinion that is backed by fact and study after study.

            Of course he's rude, but that doesn't mean he's wrong. Mr Troll, and you are a troll, please stop being such an ass and actually respond to questions put to you, and don't forget the evidence. That's why you consistently fail.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

          • icon
            PaulT (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 9:30am

            Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

            Update your dictionary... Shilling does not mean that you need to be paid for it.

            From the first result of a search for the word on dictionary.com:

            "2. a person who publicizes or praises something or someone for reasons of self-interest, personal profit, or friendship or loyalty."

            Your actions seem consistent with this definition, even if I'm not exactly sure which reason you specifically have. You deny this, but virtually every post you make fits.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

            • icon
              The Anti-Mike (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 9:53am

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

              You may think they are, but they are my own free opinions, bound to nobody.

              You think I am a troll because I don't agree with Mike.

              Oh well.

              It's okay, that is your opinion, as wrong as it is. You see, when you can't get that right, how can I take anything else you say seriously? After all, that is the one thing I am absolutely sure of I don't have overlords, bosses, or people telling me what to post, nor am I posting it out of some sort of friendship with people in the music industry or anything like that. Heck, I listen to talk radio.

              But hey, you can keep making the same mistake over and over again, and let that mistake limit your thinking. It is you who ends up short, not me.

              link to this | view in chronology ]

              • icon
                PaulT (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:04am

                Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

                "You think I am a troll because I don't agree with Mike."

                No, I don't. In fact, I have been known to congratulate you on making the occasional insightful or honestly interesting post. Mike is not the grand overlord here, and it's nice to get a well thought-out, carefully argued counterpoint to the articles. Those are, sadly, rare.

                The reason you get termed a troll is because you instantly take the contrarian view, even when the original article is clear-cut and backed by evidence. You constantly take the pro-industry, pro-copyright, pro-status quo position, even when it's abundantly clear that horrendous mistakes are being made.

                You constantly defend old business models and attack innovators, and reject ideas that do not fit with the RIAA/MPAA point of view. You rarely, if ever, back your statements up with facts. You constantly attack others' sources without providing evidence of your own, and you have a habit of leaving threads after somebody has answered your claims with a concrete argument or solid evidence, only to return to a later thread with the same idiotic claims.

                There are only a few explanations for this behaviour. Occam's Razor suggests that you being an industry shill - paid or otherwise - is the most logical explanation. The onus is on you to provide reasons why we should not believe this, despite months of posts that appear to confirm it. You do occasionally lapse into acting rationally and engaging people here in actual discussion, but these occasions are rare.

                link to this | view in chronology ]

                • identicon
                  Henry Emrich, 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:16am

                  Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

                  "You think I am a troll because I don't agree with Mike".

                  Dude, *I* don't "Agree with Mike", sometimes.
                  In particular, I think his extremely well-intentioned efforts to demonstrate alternatives to the RIAA-style "business model"/reaction to technology -- so as to help them succeed -- is an extremely bad idea.

                  NOT because new business-models aren't a great idea (they are), but primarily because the multinational corporate megaliths using RIAA, IFPI, BREIN -- AND copyright "law" itself to the detriment of society at large, and artists in particular --- don't *DESERVE* any sort of "help" whatsoever.

                  The reason people hate them is *not* that they still, sorta, kinda produce (occasionally) good music or entertainment media. The reason people hate them, has more to do with stuff like 11 copyright-term increases in 30 years, re-monopolizing ("clawing back") culture from the Public Domain, engaging in misinformation as to what copyright was originally for, etc. etc.

                  So helping them survive (or even adapt) to the changing technological and cultural milieu is....dare I say....extremely charitable and benevolent, from my point of view.

                  So, see: the criterion for not being treated like a dumbass is *not* "Agreement with Mike". It's simply NOT BEING A DUMBASS CORPORATE SHILL.

                  link to this | view in chronology ]

              • icon
                DocMenach (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:25am

                Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

                You think I am a troll because I don't agree with Mike.

                Wrong. We think you are a troll due to your techniques on these comments. You rarely if ever back up your statements with real facts. Whenever real facts are presented that contradict you, you dismiss it with statements like "maybe there's more to it", you insult people often. In general you act like a troll. If you actually participated in reasoned discourse, followed proper logic, and didn't contradict yourself constantly then people wouldn't call you a troll.

                Rather than getting so angry that people assume that you are employed by the Recodring and/or Music industries (a reasonable assumption based on your comments), you could simply say what your profession is.

                link to this | view in chronology ]

                • identicon
                  Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:27am

                  Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

                  TAM probably works for a company that produces DRM.

                  link to this | view in chronology ]

                • identicon
                  RD, 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:58am

                  Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

                  Awesome. I didnt think the response would be this great. See TAMhole, its not JUST me that thinks these things of you. Besides, YOU picked your nick Anti-Mike. Right from the get-go, YOU set yourself up as the antithesis of anything Mike might bring up. WE didnt give you that name (tho I will take credit for "TAMhole" ...snicker...I still like that one, makes me laugh). YOU chose your name and position, so now YOU get to reap the rewards. You dont get to whine and cry like a LITTLE CHILD that you are being persecuted or misunderstood.

                  And yeah, you ARE a shill. That you are unpaid means you are also stupid, as there are LOTS of paid shills trolling the internet, and you SHOULD be getting paid considering the lengths you will go to distort, skew, lie, misrepresent, contradict (even your OWN previous statements! This, by the way, is called "hypocrisy" and makes you a hypocrite) and generally pander to the Big Media point of view.

                  link to this | view in chronology ]

                  • icon
                    The Anti-Mike (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 1:04pm

                    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

                    Okay there RealDense, shall we talk about your views?

                    Oh wait, your only view is a closeup of Mike's butt, because I know exactly where your nose is.

                    If I am a shill, then you are just a shallow yes-man who can't come up with his own ideas, and just swallows whatever is handed to you (and based on the position of your nose, I can pretty much figure out what you are eating all the time).

                    Too bad you can't think for yourself. You have a lot of passion, but it is just for the waste material you are gorging yourself on.

                    link to this | view in chronology ]

                    • identicon
                      Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2010 @ 2:11pm

                      Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

                      Wouldn't it make more sense to listen to someone who is trying to help artists than it would be to listen to corporations who don't care about artists, at all, and corporations who refuse to enter the 21st century?

                      link to this | view in chronology ]

                      • icon
                        The Anti-Mike (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 3:44pm

                        Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

                        All I can say is this: record labels routinely put huge amounts of money on the line to get new acts the exposure they need to get their music out, to be well known, and to make a pile of money over careers.

                        They also put tons of money on the line for acts that never really recoup the cash, never really break, and pretty much everyone loses money on the deal.

                        Artists today outside of label deals seem to spend much of their time begging for money, running online flea markets, or doing other "non music" things to be able to afford to record songs that might never see the light of day.

                        While the labels may be motivated by money, they spend money to make money, and they spent the type of money bands and artists want to be able to have a shot at the "big times". There is nobody else out there consistantly putting huge amounts of money on the line to make things go, and that investment is definitely good for artists.

                        As a side note, with the arrival of the Ipad, Apple already appears set to be "selling" TV shows for $1 an episode. Perhaps this is another indication that the wild west phase is passing...

                        link to this | view in chronology ]

                        • identicon
                          Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2010 @ 3:52pm

                          Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

                          That's all it takes to become civilized? For Apple to sell content online?

                          link to this | view in chronology ]

                          • icon
                            The Anti-Mike (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 4:34pm

                            Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

                            Nope, it's an indication of more media moving to "sale" or "rent" rather than "gimmie gimmie gimmie". The return to direct monetization of content is a key in the process of making this all work.

                            Even if it never comes completely to people paying for all that they see, it helps to support the value of ad supported "free" stuff. It isn't a sudden end to the wild west, but it presents options.

                            Plus I have to say that it give the whole "but it's not available at a reasonable price" crowd something to think about, one less justification for making torrent searches your first source for content.

                            link to this | view in chronology ]

                            • identicon
                              RD, 11 Feb 2010 @ 5:16pm

                              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

                              "Plus I have to say that it give the whole "but it's not available at a reasonable price" crowd something to think about, one less justification for making torrent searches your first source for content."

                              How about available AT ALL? You never answer for this abrogation of the copyright bargain.

                              Disney's Song of the South....can you buy it from them? NO!

                              The John Larroquette Show (and many others): Can you buy these? NO!

                              If they wont keep their side of the bargain, you cant expect people to even TRY to keep theirs.

                              link to this | view in chronology ]

                              • identicon
                                Henry Emrich, 11 Feb 2010 @ 6:39pm

                                Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

                                Wow, TAM, you just get dumber as you go, don't you?

                                1. "The "Wild West phase"....
                                Exactly which corporate mouthpiece did you "steal" that one off of, Hmm?

                                2. Apple "renting" shows for a buck? Yeah, some people will be stupid enough to use it, just like some people are stupid enough to actually use Itunes, or download DRM-crippled media. Some people fall for Nigerian 419-scams, too. What's your point?

                                The Ipad is yet another extremely over-hyped piece of vanity-tech, in the same vein as the other vanity products it cranks out for Crapple Fanbois. (The Iphone, innumerable over-priced, exceedingly-trendy Ipod models whose only redeeming aspect is that their cases come in various colors, etc.)

                                Honestly, TAM, do you even *try* to come up with coherent arguments, or do you just type whatever comes into your head? I'd say the latter --- "Gee, maybe if I mention something about the Ipad, they won't notice what an inveterate dimwit I am, and will finally stop being mean to me just because I spam Techdirt with innumerable Sock-puppet accounts, and corporate-lobbyist propaganda!"

                                Yet another TAM(Pwn) -- or should I say "Tampon" (since you're *still* being an idiotic little pussy?)

                                link to this | view in chronology ]

                                • icon
                                  The Anti-Mike (profile), 12 Feb 2010 @ 11:58am

                                  Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

                                  "wild west" is my own opinion, one that has been used in numerous media of the years to describe the many ways that web2.0 companies and business models casually ignore the law. The entire idea is to generate "top of mind" awareness of something before the lawsuits start flying, it seems.

                                  As for Apple, the same thing could be said for selling music for a $1.29 or whatever. Based on the techdirt view of the world, anyone paying for music is the biggest sucker on the planet. But alas, millions of people do it every year, so they can't be all wrong.

                                  More than anything, it is a step towards a more legal and supportive system for content producers and consumers alike.

                                  What I don't get is that you keep going on about me. Get over it. You don't like my ideas, my opinions, fine. Just grow up and move along. Otherwise, you risk joining RealDense in the "classic" segment, which is people who have little to add, few ideas or opinions of their own, and just a whole bunch of hatred against people who don't toe the Techdirt party line outright.

                                  link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2010 @ 9:46am

            Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

            Troll.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Henry Emrich, 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:07am

            Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

            Okay, TAM:

            So how does it feel to be an *unpaid* shill, then?
            Seriously, dude -- if you're NOT being paid to make a complete fool of yourself by being their ultimate fanboy, then you *should* be.

            Doubly ironic, since your frantic fumblings here give the RIAA member corporations' propaganda campaign a tremendous amount of *free* coverage.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

            • identicon
              Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:25am

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

              Being an unpaid shill is about the same as being a prostitute who doesn't charge for their services.

              Wait? I thought TAM hated free?

              link to this | view in chronology ]

          • icon
            aguywhoneedstenbucks (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:47am

            Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

            Seriously man, if you're a paid shill just let me know. I keep trying to figure out how to get paid for visiting Techdirt and other blogs that I frequent. I need in on that kind of action.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

          • icon
            Rose M. Welch (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 5:43pm

            Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

            If he's a troll, then don't feed him. Ignore him, and make your points in peace. Making me wade through buckets of comments that have nothing to do with the topic is a waste of my time, and just makes you look like even more of an ass.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            markymark, 2 Jan 2011 @ 11:59am

            Re: Re: Re: Re: Ask TAM

            The music industry can't be dead when good music keeps coming out, Home Business

            link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    NAMELESS.ONE, 11 Feb 2010 @ 7:50am

    yea and about that acta and a 6$BILLION lawsuit

    and when you consider that lawsuit in canada for 6 BILLION a rather low sum when you consider its mukltiple sales and for EACH cdr/album = multiple tracks and that these comapnies suddenly are pullign out of canada. DOES THAT GIVE YOU A HINT.

    does that tell you they are winning for and with this secret treaty. THE MOST stupid thing anyone in govt can ever do is try and hide things they shouldn't be form public.

    Executive order GOOD SHOVE IT UP THE ARSE OF YOUR CITIZENS we don't want it

    join the face book group
    its now international and it has 1300 people in a few days

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Hephaestus (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 8:29am

      Re: yea and about that acta and a 6$BILLION lawsuit

      "join the face book group"

      What face book group?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Richard (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 8:09am

    In other words, it may not hurt Beyonce or AC/DC if you download their music. They are, after all, astonishingly wealthy. But it does hurt the record labels, which, in turn, cannot afford to sign, develop and promote as many new artists. Consequently, our music is becoming less diverse. In the long run, music lovers themselves are deprived.
    Some questions:

    Are sales of existing artists the only possible source of venture capital to fund new artist development?

    If so how can a new label ever start up?

    How did the first label start up?

    (Clue - there is such a thing as a "bank".)

    What proportion of the artists that the labels sign actually make money for them?

    Answer quite small.

    Corollorary

    Most of this money is wasted.

    Solution - I'll waste my own money thank you - I don't want record labels doing it for me...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    :), 11 Feb 2010 @ 8:10am

    Moving Forward.

    The guy is funny.

    Now he will have to befriend all those nerds he probably humiliated in high school oh well this is the revenge of the nerds LoL

    On a serious note though, the guy should not complain because he is IT illiterate and never heard of Jamendo, Magnatune, slicethepie or others online labels that are appearing besides there is the "livenation" way that is signing artists into contracts, as the old is dying the new is being born.

    Transformation will happen people are just waiting for the big ones to go belly up to fight for the scraps and build new models.

    Maybe the public can buy those old catalogues for the price of bananas and put it all in the public domain that would be fantastic.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      PaulT (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 8:27am

      Re: Moving Forward.

      "because he is IT illiterate and never heard of Jamendo, Magnatune, slicethepie or others online labels"

      To be fair, I am certainly not IT illiterate and I hadn't heard of slicethepie (but then, I'm not an artist trying to sell music either).

      Looks like a decent site. I've just signed up as a scout, I'll give it a test run later after I finish work.... thanks!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Hephaestus (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 8:51am

      Re: Moving Forward.

      "Maybe the public can buy those old catalogues for the price of bananas and put it all in the public domain that would be fantastic."

      I thought of that also. The problem with it is the record contracts behind the catalogs, and copyright prevent it from being workable.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      krusty, 11 Feb 2010 @ 9:51am

      Re: Moving Forward.

      The guy is a moron.

      There I fixed it for you.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Henry Emrich, 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:22am

        Re: Re: Moving Forward.

        "ROck and roll is dead!"

        Two words: Punk Rock.
        Two more words: DIY
        Three more words: Wannabe corporate douchebag.

        I have *no* respect whatsoever for self-idenfified "rock" musicians who turn into corporate lap-dogs. I have even *less* respect for indie musicians start fellating the RIAA *before* they even get signed, in the (most likely vain) hope that *they too* can someday become corporate lap-dogs.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Henry Emrich, 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:24am

          Re: Re: Re: Moving Forward.

          Correction: "DIY" would either be "three letters" or "three words".

          Saving TAM (or some other whackjob) from mentioning it.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            RD, 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:53am

            Re: Re: Re: Re: Moving Forward.

            "Correction: "DIY" would either be "three letters" or "three words".

            Saving TAM (or some other whackjob) from mentioning it."

            Yes exactly. Thats a TAM standard. When you cant argue the merits of your case, attack the grammar, claim they "arent getting" your points, then attack some other meaningless and minor point, then claim victory!

            link to this | view in chronology ]

            • identicon
              Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2010 @ 11:11am

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Moving Forward.

              "You're taking my comment out of context!" - TAM

              link to this | view in chronology ]

            • icon
              The Anti-Mike (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 4:58pm

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Moving Forward.

              Holy crap RealDense, that sounds exactly like you, except you also add things that aren't in my posts and claim they are there, and imply all sorts of things I never say.

              RealDense, a real classic.

              link to this | view in chronology ]

              • identicon
                Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2010 @ 5:56pm

                Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Moving Forward.

                That's our TAMMY!

                link to this | view in chronology ]

                • identicon
                  Henry Emrich, 11 Feb 2010 @ 6:44pm

                  Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Moving Forward.

                  "That's our TAMMY!"

                  Seriously? That's all you can come up with?
                  Every thread? Seriously?
                  It's like a catch-phrase from one of those 1950s TV shows. You seriously need a new catch-phrase.

                  Just sayin'.

                  link to this | view in chronology ]

                  • identicon
                    Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2010 @ 8:43pm

                    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Moving Forward.

                    It's because TAM is like a character from one of those 1950s TV shows.

                    link to this | view in chronology ]

                    • icon
                      The Anti-Mike (profile), 12 Feb 2010 @ 11:59am

                      Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Moving Forward.

                      ... and you are like a bad 70s micro cassette recording machine, stuck on the same crappy message for too long.

                      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      hamsmith (profile), 29 Nov 2010 @ 12:39am

      Re: Moving Forward.

      For me it sounds completely unpredictable. That was kind of funny, yes. affiliate program

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Richard (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 8:15am

    Hendrix and the internet

    Can you, even for a moment, imagine Janis Joplin pouring over HTML manuals, or Jimi Hendrix spending hours each day spamming potential fans on MySpace? Not likely.

    Hendrix was "into" all the new stuff of his day. At the time that meant the electric guitar and (sadly) drugs.

    If he were alive today he would be into all the latest tech.

    I do find it difficult to imagine him "spamming potential fans on MySpace" - but only because MySpace is already out of date.

    It's like saying that Beethoven, if alive today, would have ignored the electric guitar, synthesizer etc and stuck to the piano. It's obvious that he wouldn't...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Jason Airlie, 11 Feb 2010 @ 8:27am

    Leveling the earnings curve?

    It looks like music is going back to the way things were before the recording industry created Stars. Fewer mega-millionaires, more people who make a reasonable living performing.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Hephaestus (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 8:42am

      Re: Leveling the earnings curve?

      "It looks like music is going back to the way things were before the recording industry created Stars. Fewer mega-millionaires, more people who make a reasonable living performing."

      That is one of the really big problems for the record labels. They are set up and structured to promote a few really big stars. They dont have the ability to support vast numbers of smaller stars. The ability to give the smaller artists the personalized service they need is also lacking. Smaller artists that dont fit into the cookie cutter mold they are used to get contracted and shelved.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2010 @ 9:41am

        Re: Re: Leveling the earnings curve?

        Unlike banks, I guess it's nice to see a business that isn't too big to fail.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        The Anti-Mike (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 3:47pm

        Re: Re: Leveling the earnings curve?

        Actually, it's a problem for acts that want to get known outside of their region of the world.

        If the record label's aren't making the money, they won't be investing the money. It takes money to make money, and record labels are pretty much the only group consistantly putting cash on the counter to make all of this go. Do they make a pot full of money when things go well? Yup. But they lose their asses often enough as well on acts that don't turn out, that don't catch the public's ear... you know, those that don't "CwF" through their actual product, music and image.

        It's easy to pee on the record labels, but it's hard as hell to live without their investments.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2010 @ 3:53pm

          Re: Re: Re: Leveling the earnings curve?

          It takes art to make art and if that art is being held hostage by corporations refusing to enter the 21st century . . . .

          link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          Rose M. Welch (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 5:49pm

          Re: Re: Re: Leveling the earnings curve?

          Actually, it's a problem for acts that want to get known outside of their region of the world.

          That's a good thing actually. If you're an 'act' who 'wants to be known' then you probably don't produce any art that I was to see or hear. I'm glad to hear that people who desire fame will have less avenues for shoving themselves in my face in our new draconian-label-less future. Yay!

          If you produce art because you love to produce art, then your talent will connect you with others, especially if you share your art on the Internet. (You know, the Internet, where the entire world is one really big region?)

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Henry Emrich, 11 Feb 2010 @ 6:50pm

            Re: Re: Re: Re: Leveling the earnings curve?

            Wait....TAM defending the corporate media megaliths on the grounds that they supposedly help artists get "known" outside of "their region of the world?"

            Three words: DVD "region coding".
            Try to import a "foreign" film, and then tell me with a straight face that the corporate media megaliths are interested in getting artistic works "know outside of the region".

            (Hint: if region-coding was *really* just about ensuring that content displayed correctly, that could be implemented relatively easily. Nope, "region" coding in the DVD standard has everything to do with the desire for captive markets, staggered release-dates, and other assorted dirty industry tricks.

            Half-way coherent try, though. :)

            link to this | view in chronology ]

            • icon
              The Anti-Mike (profile), 12 Feb 2010 @ 5:50am

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Leveling the earnings curve?

              Three words: DVD "region coding".
              Try to import a "foreign" film, and then tell me with a straight face that the corporate media megaliths are interested in getting artistic works "know outside of the region".


              You might be right if movies never got released outside of the region. Plenty of movies get released region to region. Yes, it is in part about the money that can be earned rather than pure are, but those considerations are put in the top before the initial investment is made in the product (movie, music, etc).

              If would be more of an issue if everything was done in a common language. It is not. The market for movies from India in the world isn't very large, but the market in their own country is solid. However, many of the best movies are released quietly all over the world for fans to enjoy.

              Note in music that there are no restrictions. Music has always been an international game, not just a local or regional game. Even playing regionally "takes money to make money", and that made money is really just there to pay off the investment and maybe have the money to make the next record. International is even harder, needing contacts and systems all over the world so that a small band from "yourtown, USA" can get enough exposure worldwide that they can tour 365 days a year and have full houses to play to.

              It's all in how you look at things, I think!

              link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    John Doe, 11 Feb 2010 @ 8:27am

    He has the answer but just doesn't know it...

    Yet hundreds of thousands of other musicians are competing for attention online.

    So what he is saying is competition is killing rock-n-roll? This is pure entitlement mentality. I cut an album so people should start forking over money even if it sucks.

    Without support from a record label, musicians must master the intricacies of search engine optimization, social networking, email blasts, and twittering -- not to mention traditional tasks like booking shows. Not surprisingly, many musicians lack such skills.

    Now he gets to the heart of the problem. The labels should be doing these things and aren't.

    In other words, it may not hurt Beyonce or AC/DC if you download their music. They are, after all, astonishingly wealthy. But it does hurt the record labels, which, in turn, cannot afford to sign, develop and promote as many new artists.

    Those poor labels. They make bad decisions and are suffering for it but that is not their fault, right?

    This guy has hit the nail on the head but doesn't recognize it. The labels are killing themselves and taking some musicians with them. Demand more from the labels or find someone who gives you the service the modern world is demanding and only then will you find true success.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    aguywhoneedstenbucks (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 8:33am

    Rock 'n Roll ain't noise pollution

    Rock and roll ain't gonna die.

    This guy is just looking for a scapegoat for being an untalented schmuck. He doesn't even seem to understand how it worked in the old days. You built up fans and got some buzz going (mostly by playing live every night that you could get a gig and talking to everyone you could hoping they could recommend you to a big name) until someone from a record company either heard of you on the indie music scene or happened to be in the same club you were playing in. Either that or you had to spend your time networking (and knowing how to network) to get your demo heard.

    It seems that he's dreaming of some golden age of music when you played and did absolutely nothing else. This has never existed. You never got a huge record deal just because you sent in a demo and took a few lousy black and white pics of yourself.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Chronno S. Trigger (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 8:58am

      Re: Rock 'n Roll ain't noise pollution

      Back in the day there were thousands of bands competing for a vary small number of recording companies' attention. Now it's thousands of bands trying to compete for millions of people's attention. So instead of 5 people looking at thousands, it millions looking at thousands. I like those odds.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        aguywhoneedstenbucks (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:43am

        Re: Re: Rock 'n Roll ain't noise pollution

        I do too. I have a feeling that the days of the mega ultra super rockstar are coming to an end fast. If this guy can't keep up then he needs to take up another profession.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Spanky, 11 Feb 2010 @ 8:40am

    Re

    It's not just the music business. The "capitalists" don't want to have to compete. They just want it handed to them.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      John Doe, 11 Feb 2010 @ 9:16am

      Re: Re

      Not sure I understand you comment? The capitalists should understand capitalism which is survival of the fittest. Obviously when large organizations gain clout, they do tend to run to the government to have barriers created to protect their market share. But this is not the fault of capitalism, it is the fault of poor management of capitalism by government.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Henry Emrich, 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:33am

        Re: Re: Re

        "Capitalist should understand capitalism"

        What, you mean the single most prevalent business-form out there, the publically-traded, for profit corporation?

        Limited liability, a "veil" between corporate and "personal" assets, legal "personhood", hell...thanks to the Supreme court's recent fuckup (oops, I mean "decision"), the ability to essentially "buy" the electoral process outright...

        Not to mention the fact that the mere existence of copyright and patent monopolies *by design* represent State micro-management of economic affairs to prevent "unauthorized" competition.

        If capitalism was *really* about competition or "free enterprise" the corporation, copyrights, and patents wouldn't even exist.

        (Corporate) capitalists are *extremely* "statist" (to drag out some Libertarian/Objectivist/Right-wing buzzwords for Y'all) :)

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          John Doe, 11 Feb 2010 @ 11:42am

          Re: Re: Re: Re

          Capitalism is not the problem, our government is the problem. Anything can be mismanaged and our economy is chief among those. Everything you point out is our government's way of messing things up, so it points to government being bad, not capitalism.

          Note, I am not saying capitalism can be turned loose to run on its own, because I don't believe it can. It must be managed. It is the management of it that is failing in this country (US).

          link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          Free Capitalist (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 12:22pm

          Meaning vs. Media Meaning

          I believe the problem here is that the meaning of the words "capitalist", "capitalism" and, especially, "free market" has been twisted to represent the type of economy and business environment today.

          Unfortunately, we do not have a free market, we have old-school mercantilism updated for fiat currencies in a global exchange. The mechanism of essentially legislating a business model is no different today than it was in the 1850s.


          Free Capitalist loosely defined here.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Henry Emrich, 11 Feb 2010 @ 6:58pm

            Re: Meaning vs. Media Meaning

            None of the points you both raised actually addressed the *real* issue, however. It's all well and good to create some kind of imaginary straw-man version of "capitalism" involving free-markets and such for the purposes of theoretical discussion and such, but doing so completely side-steps the important issue of what REAL-WORLD "businessmen" really do.

            You can blame government for allowing corporations, and legitimizing the notion of "intellectual property" through monopoly privileges like copyright/patent, but that *still* doesn't absolve the BENEFICIARIES of such State-granted privileges from their share of the blame.

            It also completely ignores the entire history of how (corporate) capitalism has evolved through-out history.

            Read "People's history of the United States" by Howard Zinn.

            Hell, read basically anything by David Korten.

            So we supposedly shouldn't call the multi-national corporate oligarchy "capitalism". Okay. Any suggestions for a different term?

            link to this | view in chronology ]

            • icon
              Free Capitalist (profile), 12 Feb 2010 @ 8:01am

              Re: Re: Meaning vs. Media Meaning

              So we supposedly shouldn't call the multi-national corporate oligarchy "capitalism". Okay. Any suggestions for a different term?


              Many on this site feel that the definition of "fascism" is an accurate description for the modern states. However I still feel "mercantilism" is more accurate considering it is basically guilds of powerful businesses that drive lawmakers worldwide.

              link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      BillyJack, 27 Jan 2011 @ 7:28pm

      Re:

      Do you know how incredibly stupid you just proved yourself to be? Small rodents posess more intelligence. Do everyone a favor and throw yourself from a bridge. Fecking crybaby. God help you should you have to work for anything. You people are such sniveling candyasses.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2010 @ 9:04am

    I loved Steven Colbert's opening speech at the Grammy's. He totally ripped on everyone and it was like they didn't even realize it. I especially enjoyed the part where he stated the music industry is in great shape, even though there arent any record companies anymore....priceless! Go Colbert!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Jimr (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 9:09am

    Think about how much money they COULD have made.... if not for piracy.
    With out the massively huge profits how could they expect to continue. Just like the Banks they might need a bail out.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2010 @ 9:11am

    How?

    Because the record companies (and TAM) say so.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Bob, 11 Feb 2010 @ 9:17am

    Shifted to other channels

    I'd like to see a report similar to the UK report that shows growth in the performance and/ or licensing areas of the US Music Industry. I feel like that would really put this issue to rest.

    Has anyone seen anything like this?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Mike Masnick (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:46am

      Re: Shifted to other channels

      I'd like to see a report similar to the UK report that shows growth in the performance and/ or licensing areas of the US Music Industry. I feel like that would really put this issue to rest.

      Has anyone seen anything like this?


      The second study linked above does, in fact, look at the wider market.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    NAMELESS.ONE, 11 Feb 2010 @ 9:56am

    how its dead is propoganda

    its the big labels getting finally what they deserve for all the lawsuits.
    IN Other words they cant afford to keep suing people is why they stopped ...those yacht building programs are taking up all the rest of the doh.

    GE sells off universal shares,
    Warner stops sales of dvdrs in Canada form its maker, then drops streaming music.

    YA know this is there response to us against acta so they can appear to be making no money
    all while they keep right on stealing off 300,000 Canadian artists
    OH not all those in the 300,000 are Canadian , you might know Bruce Springsteen. HEY Bruce you were part of the obama thing hows it working for you now?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    NAMELESS.ONE, 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:01am

    END the ACTA secracy NOW

    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=288885939910

    @Hephaestus there and it has geist, a Canadian MP and i urge everyone even if you hate face book at least to be counted

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    TAAM, 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:12am

    Trollin Trollin Trollin RAWHIDE!

    "You think I am a troll because I don't agree with Mike."

    Lots of people disagree with Mike and are not considered trolls. Your a troll because you act like one. You repeat the same thing over and over hoping it will (I am guessing) become true if you say it enough.

    Your a troll who rarely understands what Mike is even saying but posts anyways.

    Your a troll for putting your worthless two cents in on almost EVERY techdirt article and then defending your position until everyone wants to throw up.

    Your a troll through and through and nothing you can ever say will change that now.

    TAM - Troll who is Attracted to Mike

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:28am

      Re: Trollin Trollin Trollin RAWHIDE!

      Trolling: It's a art.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Henry Emrich, 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:41am

      Re: Trollin Trollin Trollin RAWHIDE!

      Other indications of TAM's trolldom:

      1. It admits to using sock-puppet accounts. Nobody would resort to sock-puppeting *just* to weasel out of "personal" attacks -- ESPECIALLY when the "personal" attacks are directed toward a pseudonym/handle *explicitly* designed to insult the blog-owner. (Come on, dude...."The Anti-Mike"? Pure Flamebait, with absolutely no other even halfway credible justification.)

      2. It likes to pretend to be all offended when treated "unkindly", but can't even be bothered to *create AND MAINTAIN a single, consistent Techdirt-presence* -- and corresponding identity.
      Instead, It would rather stage the equivalent of a virtual "Punch And Judy show", and then taunt Masnick after the fact, like some kind of fifth-rate "Supervillian" from a cheap knock-off of the James Bond films.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        The Anti-Mike (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 1:39pm

        Re: Re: Trollin Trollin Trollin RAWHIDE!

        Sorry, but you are wrong.

        1- "anti-mike" is an accurate reflection of my views. Mike looks at every violation, every breach of contract, heck possibly every murder as a change to "get some good publicity". I look at it exactly the opposite way, when you give an inch today, you will give an inch tomorrow, and soon enough you are in the other team's endzone wondering why some ugly mascot is in your face.

        2 - I am offended by people who can't tell the difference between trolling and just having an opposite opinion. Mike posts up stuff that is so easy to pick apart, he uses all sorts of wiggle room words, gives himself safe exits, and uses plenty of techniques to try to bootstrap his ideas into "facty things".

        As I always say, it is better to debate ideas than people. I have posted under other names in the past before i created The Anti Mike, I haven't posted as any of them since. It was funny as heck posting as some of the people here who don't log in (like yourself) and having the morons like RD nodding their virtual heads along with me. That is when I realized that it wasn't about the ideas, it was about who was bringing them.

        So, too bad, so sad, but that is the way it is.

        Oh, I considered changing my name to Anti-RD, but everyone here is anti-moron, so I wouldn't really stand out. :)

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          RD, 11 Feb 2010 @ 1:57pm

          Re: Re: Re: Trollin Trollin Trollin RAWHIDE!

          "1- "anti-mike" is an accurate reflection of my views. Mike looks at every violation, every breach of contract, heck possibly every murder as a change to "get some good publicity". I look at it exactly the opposite way, when you give an inch today, you will give an inch tomorrow, and soon enough you are in the other team's endzone wondering why some ugly mascot is in your face."

          Uh, copyright is not a football game man....

          "2 - I am offended by people who can't tell the difference between trolling and just having an opposite opinion. Mike posts up stuff that is so easy to pick apart"

          As do you. Most of your pro-big-media-industry shill stuff is incorrect, deceitful, lacking, specious, and usually so poorly thought through that even relative newcomers to this site and its ideas are able to tear them apart.

          "he uses all sorts of wiggle room words"

          As do you. Constantly.

          "gives himself safe exits"

          As do you. "you missed my point", "there must be more to the story", etc.

          "and uses plenty of techniques to try to bootstrap his ideas into "facty things".

          And you blatantly misrepresent ALL of these things, and then go on to take everyone to task for not understanding you.

          "As I always say, it is better to debate ideas than people."

          HAHAHAHAHA! Good one. Hypocrisy 101: Speak out AGAINST something that YOU YOURSELF DO all the time,

          "I have posted under other names in the past before i created The Anti Mike, I haven't posted as any of them since. It was funny as heck posting as some of the people here who don't log in (like yourself) and having the morons like RD nodding their virtual heads along with me. That is when I realized that it wasn't about the ideas, it was about who was bringing them."

          You keep using me in this example, and I have challenged you to come up with ONE post where I "Agreed" with your sock puppet. It MAY have happened, but I can GUARANTEE you, I have not responded that way to very many posts. Mostly just to take apart arguments, or build off of others, and sometimes to Mike directly.

          "So, too bad, so sad, but that is the way it is."

          Yes, the last refuge of someone who doesnt have a valid argument: dismiss it as the OTHER person somehow giving up, stop trying, and claim "acceptance", until the next article when you start the shit all over again.

          "Oh, I considered changing my name to Anti-RD, but everyone here is anti-moron, so I wouldn't really stand out. :)"

          Bwahaha! Look, the chimp made a funny! You really GOT ME with that zinger, yes you did!

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Henry Emrich, 11 Feb 2010 @ 7:15pm

            Re: Re: Re: Re: Trollin Trollin Trollin RAWHIDE!

            So you admit to posting under identities others are using, then, simply because they "don't log in?"

            WTF kind of dishonest, troll weasel *are* you?
            Not only are you too stupid to do anything but regurgitate corporate lobbyist talking-points and apologize for anything/everything the corporate lobbyists manage to do to IP "law", but you *THEN* admit to (falsely) impersonating other posters here, simply on the grounds that they don't "log in"?

            You really *are* fucking pathetic, aren't you?


            You claim that it's better to "debate ideas, not people", but your HANDLE is explicitly premised on the notion of you being the ANTITHESIS to Mike's "views" --- or maybe to Mike himself?

            Let's see:

            Mike is:

            1. Smart.
            2. Can actually formulate coherent points (and back them up with evidence such as off-site links).
            3. Actually understands the history and original justification of so-called "intellectual property" privileges.
            4. Understands how corporations/lobbyist front-groups have been twisting and distorting such laws, with extremely detrimental ramifications for the wider culture.
            5. Doesn't shy away from highlighting and criticizing such conduct, when needed.

            YOU:

            1. Not very intelligent (although you seem to believe that you are, in that self-important "Looky, I read Heinlein" pretentious-dickhead type way.)

            2. Completely, willfully ignorant of the history, or original purpose of IP monopoly privileges, and totally disinterested in whether they eventually expire or not.
            (Hell, you actually tried to justify "clawing back" stuff where the monopolies had already lapsed, because of a FILLIBUSTER. Great, the IP lobby gets "do-overs".)

            3. Totally, relentlessly apologetic in regard to whatever the corporate megaliths manage to *do* with such IP privileges -- up to, and including, the total destruction of the Public Domain itself.

            4. Cannot formulate coherent arguments. Cannot provide off-site links (except for links to known corporate front-organizations' propaganda/disinformation campaigns).

            Yup, "The Anti-Mike" is a pretty damn appropriate Handle.

            Dumbass.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

            • icon
              Henry Emrich (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 7:22pm

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Trollin Trollin Trollin RAWHIDE!

              "It was funny as heck posting as some of the people here who don't log in (like yourself) and having the morons like RD nodding their virtual heads along with me. That is when I realized that it wasn't about the ideas, it was about who was bringing them."

              Was this before, or after you started using the TAM-puppet?

              You really *are* a sociopathic little twat, aren't you?

              link to this | view in chronology ]

            • identicon
              RD, 11 Feb 2010 @ 9:14pm

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Trollin Trollin Trollin RAWHIDE!

              "Let's see:

              Mike is:

              1. Smart.
              2....."

              You forgot "actually runs a successful business" and "has actual hands-on experience implementing the ideas he supports here."

              link to this | view in chronology ]

              • icon
                The Anti-Mike (profile), 12 Feb 2010 @ 12:05pm

                Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Trollin Trollin Trollin RAWHIDE!

                Tee-hee, you guys are now officially both classics.

                Henrybot and RealDense. A great pair!

                RealDense, just a reminder, I have been in business longer than Mike, and I will likely be in business long after he has gone on to a career in a nameless office somewhere. Mike has lead you to believe I am some sort of business failure, yet here I am, still working and still making a good living.

                For the rest of the comments, all I can say is that I don't take your comments very seriously, as you have shown yourself to be a very shallow attack dog, not a very intelligent poster. In fact, I have rarely seen you post anything here except attacks against me personally. I have to wonder if you have any original thoughts, or are you so full of crap that you can't manage anything past venomous attacks?

                Too bad, you are passionate, but sort of in that short bus sort of way.

                link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 11 Feb 2010 @ 2:14pm

          Re: Re: Re: Trollin Trollin Trollin RAWHIDE!

          Your ideas are hogwash.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          RD, 11 Feb 2010 @ 4:49pm

          Re: Re: Re: Trollin Trollin Trollin RAWHIDE!

          I'm sorry for all the mean things I've said. From now on I will endeavor to listen to your points instead of flying off the handle just because you're the one making them.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            RD (The REAL one), 11 Feb 2010 @ 5:14pm

            Re: Re: Re: Re: Trollin Trollin Trollin RAWHIDE!

            "I'm sorry for all the mean things I've said. From now on I will endeavor to listen to your points instead of flying off the handle just because you're the one making them."

            Lol nice try TAM, but that was not posted by me.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

            • identicon
              RD (The REAL REAL one), 11 Feb 2010 @ 6:49pm

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Trollin Trollin Trollin RAWHIDE!

              I have multiple personality disorder. Please forget about my last post.

              link to this | view in chronology ]

              • icon
                Henry Emrich (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 7:33pm

                Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Trollin Trollin Trollin RAWHIDE!

                What's wrong, TAM? Did you trip and break your crack-pipe?

                link to this | view in chronology ]

              • icon
                The Anti-Mike (profile), 12 Feb 2010 @ 12:06pm

                Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Trollin Trollin Trollin RAWHIDE!

                Can't wait for Mike to point out what IP made these posts. Wait, he wouldn't, because it would show it wasn't me.

                Too bad, nice try guys. Proof you are just morons.

                link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          Henry Emrich (profile), 11 Feb 2010 @ 7:19pm

          Re: Re: Re: Trollin Trollin Trollin RAWHIDE!

          "Oh, I considered changing my name to Anti-RD, but everyone here is anti-moron, so I wouldn't really stand out. :)"

          We're obviously "anti-moron": we don't like YOU very much, do we, TAM?

          Jesus....not only can't you form coherent industry-apologist arguments, you can't even formulate a snappy comeback. (That's why the "Grandma's coat-hanger" thing made you mad -- because you didn't think of it FIRST!) :)

          Wow....just.....wow.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    ant anti mike, 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:17am

    agree with both henry and paul

    its why i choose the nick anti anti mike if hes going to harass and cajole the users i figure il come each day and focus RIGHT ON THE TROLL , the rest of you ignore and have fun, he is after all COMPLETELY lying to you all about who he works for and what his vocation is.

    I would argue we could even vote on having all his posts moved to the a new forum called troll-IT, and we can all get wicked laughs at how the ndustry tries to scrw , lie cheat and price gouge and sue dead people.

    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=288885939910
    ACTA END THE SEC RACY NOW
    300 people joined since last night there is now 1600 people in 3 days.
    when word gets out TAM you will see how many millions your are fighting around the world and POOR FACEBOOK i can't imagine the HORROR of this kinda facebook will give them in bandwidth grief.....
    pirates, hackers IT professionals, WEB USERS, lawyers , innovators creators, THE WHOLE WORLD SHALL YE KNOW IS NOT YOURS

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Wesha, 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:27am

    > How Can The Music Industry Be Dead When More Music Is Being Produced

    There's only one explanation...

    OMFG ZOMBIES!!!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    idea, 11 Feb 2010 @ 10:28am

    i have this hacker site that i say to people this

    I will link to your bands website as long as:
    A) you give freely music via streaming or downlaod
    B) you are not signed to any labels or in any contract long term ( excpetion would be touring )

    i go on to tell most that they shuld list tour times and other things that can or do make em a buck. YOU'D be surprised how popular this is. and undergorund hacker site actually helpng musicians and the users OMG WHAT NOVELTY IS THIS.

    The site will and is getting revamped a bit so i have it offline wheni feel its ready ill hsow this place what i mean.
    I MAKE NO MONEY form it either.
    even though i am pondering creating my own searh engine using a open source engine that has a spider and could say charge like a one time fee with the above two points as a contract ....
    this is innovation and creativity at its peak, all wihtout you and your systems.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Benjamin Wade Inman, 11 Feb 2010 @ 8:17pm

    Dead or Alive?

    The music industry is far from dead! If anything, it's going to be stronger than ever, and yes labels will still be needed by artists in order to break into the mainstream. With there being so many choices available in the marketplace, artists must have a strong marketing strategy properly executed in order to stand out from the others.

    Whomever said that managing the plethora of social networking sites each artist has now is clearly not utilizing these sites to their fullest potential. It takes a tremendous investment of time and resources, even from a grass-roots approach, to effectively market an artist. Therefore, unless artists have a large budget to work with, they will certainly need the backing of labels to break them into the marketplace.

    As for Rock 'N' Roll, it will never die, it will only grow from here. There is obviously some major changes that are being made within the industry before our very eyes and it will be nothing less than exciting to see where it goes from this point. It should be interested to say the least.

    Regards,

    Benjamin Wade Inman
    Managing Partner
    ZONG Music Partners LLC
    Nashville, TN
    info@zongmusic.com
    http://www.twitter.com/zongmp
    http://www.myspace.com/zongmusicpartners

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Pessimistic Optimist, 12 Feb 2010 @ 2:49am

    Seriously?

    Trolls. There is nothing they love more than hi-jacking a topic and becoming the center of attention, all while stirring up everyone into a mad frenzy. How can some of you regulars still not see the obvious after all this time? Replying only encourages more of his bad behavior by showing him that he succeeded at getting under your skin. You are likely pro-pirate. He clearly despises you for this and always will most likely. Get over it and move on. Nothing you say will change his mind so don't waste your time.

    Want more evidence? How about the fact that no human on Earth can possibly be right or wrong 100% of the time. Naturally some of Mikes articles come close to the bulls-eye (often striking a nerve) while others may be way off in deep space. Despite this, nearly every comment TAM has ever made presupposes that Mike is automatically wrong 100% of the time regardless, sometimes even in the face of indisputable facts. Only someone with a personal grudge would overlook something so obvious. On the very rare occasion someone (other than Mike) manages to get through to TAM and show him he is in error, TAM typically shrugs it off as if he always knew that or uses his favorite "out of context" excuse, just like all the others do who share his personality type. I know this type well because I was raised by one; my father whom I work very hard not to be like. This type is physically unable to admit when they are wrong. I'm not saying he always is. On very rare occasion he may actually say something that has some validity. The regulars know this is very rare however and that trying to draw it out into something resembling an interesting discussion very quickly decays into faulty logic bordering on gibberish.

    Simple application of logic, along with his choice of user ID, tells us without any shadow of a doubt that he is a troll who posts with one single minded purpose. It is because of these facts, as well as everything he has posted to date (all available for public scrutiny) that I proclaim he truly is both a shill and a troll whether he believes himself to be or not. Please don't hate me, I'm just calling it like I see it. As the saying goes, if it quacks like a duck and walks like duck...

    The only thing that makes me wonder is why one would put so much time and effort into such childish behavior. Considering how often articles are posted and the resulting volume of comments there are to each, TAM must be on here 24/7 hitting refresh over and over. I wish I had as much free time to spend writing comments as he clearly does. Based on my experience, everybody is motivated to do the things they do for one reason or another, no exceptions. I can only suppose that he must get something personally gratifying out of it, otherwise there would be no point. If he is being honest (doubtful) and it's not money as he claims, then it must be some else. Deep seething hatred perhaps? It does slip out occasionally in his comments. Then again, perhaps he does it simply because he gets some sort of perverse pleasure out of seeing how many puppets he can get to dance. Take your pick.

    We humans aren't all that complex and 99% of what we do can be attributed to emotion. You just can't escape evolution and our instincts to survive. Avarice, fear, hate and a healthy does of self-centered ego are conducive to that end and thus tend to be the most common motivators. Heck, I'd be willing to bet real money on those. It's certainly not going to be out the goodness of The Anti-Mikes heart, wholly done as a public service for our benefit. That is unless he's super naive, which I suppose is always a possibility in this crazy world. Still, I think that is highly unlikely. It's clear from his replies and inability to maintain a conversation that is both intelligent and courteous that he doesn't really care about anybodies opinion either, and that his comments are carefully crafted to elicit only one type of response from you all; anger.

    Normally I would just ignore him like I try to do with all forum pests, but that gets difficult when the bulk of comments are directed at him instead of being on topic and relevant to the article Mike has posted. I don't always agree with him either but at least I try to honestly explain my reasoning as best I can and, if possible, hypothesize on how something could be improved upon. Simply stating an opinion, which all of us already know you have, is far too easy.

    Maybe I'm idealistic, but I really do believe that if we all dropped the US vs THEM attitudes and worked together towards a common goal, humanity could change the world for the better. Sadly the pessimist in me says humanity hasn't yet culturally evolved far enough to put our selfish ways aside in order to do what so clearly needs to be done. I'm probably not too far off the mark when I state that this will likely be what ultimately undoes humankind. The clock is definitely ticking.

    I guess this is just my long winded way of saying, DON"T FEED THE TROLL (OR HIS PUPPETS)! For whatever it's worth, based on his style, grammar, and non-wavering stance, I would hazard a guess that TAM also comments as Reasoned Mind over at TorrentFreak. Of course, I could easily be wrong and apologize if I am. However if it is, where the heck does he find all that free time? I'm so envious.

    Anyways, thanks for reading. ;-)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Rose M. Welch (profile), 12 Feb 2010 @ 3:50am

      Re: Seriously?

      Aren't you actually feeding the trolls by posting this reply about and to the trolls?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Pessimistic Optimist, 12 Feb 2010 @ 10:47pm

        Re: Seriously?

        If my comment had been directed at TAM, then yes. It was not directed at TAM however, but instead at those that keep encouraging him. Every reply elicited and/or directed at TAM makes him swell with a sense of pride as surely as the sun rises and sets. Do not feed the troll is as apt a term as any I can think of because that is exactly what many here keep doing. The moment you stop feeding coal to the boiler, it loses all it's steam.

        Posts upon posts upon posts. They go around and around. I wish all the good folks here could realize just how often they are allowing someone completely unimportant to pull their strings. How many months will it take before many of you realize that winning an argument with a troll is impossible? Even if you believe you could win, why would winning some utterly unimportant, soon to be forgotten argument against a complete stranger on the internet, matter so much to you? How long until you realize you're wasting your time, and that you could have spent it doing something far more constructive with your life? It's so short and goes by way too fast to waste it on some inconsiderate know-it-all jerk who obviously has a grudge against Mike. His chosen user name says it all. It doesn't get any more obvious than that.

        The last thing I'm going to say (hopefully) about this is how funny The Anti-Mikes comments are when Mike writes an article or comment sharing relatively the same stance. Instead of simply agreeing with Mike or (heaven forbid!) thanking him, TAM always get indignant as if Mike isn't allowed to share any of the same opinions as he. It's just more evidence that TAM is a troll with an axe to grind. TAM clearly sees Mike as an enemy no matter what is said.

        It's all about being a nemesis for the sole sake of being a nemesis. Negative people love nothing more than making those around them feel negative too. The confrontational comments TAM makes are the means with which he continually perpetuates this and not at all about having a logically reasoned debate nor evidence to support his position. Like I said before, opinions are easy. They're also a dime a dozen. In other words they're worthless. The reason we tend to give them far too much weight can be complex, but I would guess comes primarily from wanting the approval of our peers while growing up. TAM is not one of those peers nor has he ever show himself deserving of the title. Stop trying to get him to approve of what you have to say because he really doesn't care. People also need stop treating the opinions TAM continually professes as if they matter as well. They matter about as much as mine do, which is nil.

        Negative comments that are pessimistic don't move us forward, only constructive ones do. That is where the wisdom in sharing lays. Hopefully everyone here will consider that before hurriedly hitting the reply button in the future, even when they feel angry. Never let anyone get under your skin. I know deep down that you are all better than that. Techdirt is a great site and I like it primarily because Mike is good at picking apart self deluding faux-logic. I may not always agree with some of his conclusions, but that doesn't give me the right to be an inconsiderate ass. So you can either jump into the muck with TAM or rise above it, which I guess is all I'm really trying to get across.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    markryder (profile), 12 Feb 2010 @ 6:23am

    wtf

    i had something to say but after reading all the stupid replies i forgot what the article was about ?
    someone need to kick the off topic arguments out

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Ed Donnelly, 27 Mar 2010 @ 9:39pm

    Deluded Young musicians

    Mike,
    Great post. I meet a lot of up and coming acts that get the current landscape (recorded music is free, fans are valuable, make money at the live show) and even more who are still waiting for the fat cat from the label to write them a million dollar check. The reality is: "good" music has never been represented on the charts or commercial radio without - "radio promo". And radio promo was and is just a straight bribe to program directors to play a certain track. So you can whine and pine away for the good 'ol days or 1) Write and play great songs in front of people to create a long term sustainable career or 2) Get a bunch of cash and bribe folks to spin your record until you can get enough cash to bribe them to play the next one.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    search engine optimization, 5 Apr 2010 @ 12:00am

    Only few are given a chance to have a record label help them with their music. A lot of singers, bands, etc nowadays was found through social media around. Youtube is one way of marketing your band by uploading your video there you can have a lot of audience and some shows on tv are actually checking it for videos such as funny videos or worst videos or even videos of talented people. :)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    eric, 9 Apr 2010 @ 11:19pm

    we have created a monster.

    we have two many types of music and fans. the koolaid is watered down. we have emo punk, emo hardcore, faux emo, techno emo, slash metal, heavy metal, speed metal, just metal, pop metal, techno metal, industrial metal, punk metal, hard rock, ballad rock, indie rock, pop rocks and the list goes on and on. Every single group has a select few followers that like that exact style thier is few crossover. a select few people have what it takes for mass appeal. the rest should be laid to rest, because they blow! but because the have a hardcore following of 10000 fans we are subjected to listening to them. when the pool of bands and artist are this thick, its hard to tend to the needs of the good ones. its like a teacher trying to teach spanish to a class of 1 million 7th graders. no one will get to shine. but everyone will somehow share the spot light.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Soccer Merchandise, 17 Jun 2010 @ 5:49am

    I've been following your posts for a while now and I gotta say that your older articles don't offer as much insight as the newer articles. You have a lot more ideas and originality now, your writing is constantly improving. Soccer Gear

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Murch, 16 Aug 2010 @ 2:18am

    Music

    I agree that music is getting much more diverse as a whole, but mainstream music, especially pop, is getting to a point where a lot of music sounds the same, and most of it is autotuned, synthesized, obviously fake crap. I think that true music, where there is no autotune, no fake instruments, and new, innovate ideas, is slowly dying to make way for crap like Ke$ha and Lady Gaga, and band that used to be good, like Linkin Park, are falling into the pop music trend. Either we'll see rock fade away, or it'll slowly come back, but either way, music will suck for at least the next couple years.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Personalised gifts, 2 Sep 2010 @ 6:08am

    Personalised gifts

    Personalized Teddy Bears make great presents for almost any occasion and can be either a friendly or romantic gesture. Thank You. :)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Digital Photography Courses, 2 Sep 2010 @ 6:09am

    Music

    I think that music is more alive than ever! I listen to much more music now than I ever have. The big cats aren't making as much with illegal downloads but they should look at their prices!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Photography Course Birmingham, 5 Sep 2010 @ 7:31am

    Dead

    Good points made in this article, made me think...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Freemans Catalogue, 6 Sep 2010 @ 11:36am

    An absolutely great article made me think about the music industry in a whole new light.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Open Juice, 7 Sep 2010 @ 11:22am

    No

    Music id deffo not dead its just getting started!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Finance Jobs, 15 Sep 2010 @ 5:24am

    hmm..

    Funny the one who says he has multiply personlaity disorder and to forgive his posts :)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • http://www.chicagoticketcompany.com/other-theatreblue-man-group-tickets

    Techdirt is a great site and I like it primarily because Mike is good at picking apart self deluding faux-logic. I may not always agree with some of his conclusions, but that doesn't give me the right to be an inconsiderate ass. So you can either jump into the muck with TAM or rise above it, which I guess is all I'm really trying to get across.Blue Man Group Chicago Tickats

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Jersey Boys Miami Ticket, 17 Sep 2010 @ 12:37pm

    http://www.miamiticketcompany.com/jersey-boys-tickets

    Write and play great songs in front of people to create a long term sustainable career or 2) Get a bunch of cash and bribe folks to spin your record until you can get enough cash to bribe them to play the next one. ">Jersey Boys Miami Ticket

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • http://www.broadwayticketsale.com/Phantom-of-the-Op

    that used to be good, like Linkin Park, are falling into the pop music trend. Either we'll see rock fade away, or it'll slowly come back, but either way, music will suck for at least the next couple years.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    rstech111 (profile), 22 Sep 2010 @ 12:47am

    Thank you for sharing your powerful words with the rest of us. dissertation help You are sharing very good point in your article about music industry.. essay help i think very country or community personally very strong assignment help

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    wooden blinds, 11 Oct 2010 @ 5:02pm

    multiple disorders

    Yeah, very funny the one with multiple disorders :) indeed.The world's first electric blinds that work on AA batteries! Controliss blinds are child safe and ideal for the elderly or disabled. The remote control blinds come in many colours and styles such as venetian blinds, wooden blinds and vertical blinds.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Brad, 13 Oct 2010 @ 6:04am

    Who knows - Who cares

    All I know is that I really don't care for much of the music being made today. I don't know if that means that music or the music industry is dying but I know that I will not be spending my hard earned money buying it or wasting my time downloading it.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Lance Campeau, 21 Oct 2010 @ 9:56pm

    Music is DEAD

    I'm 36... spent a lifetime studying and pursuing music in ALL forms... without a doubt, what made music "music" is completely DEAD... coporations have completely sucked the life out of music and sponged every last single molecule of originality and heart from what was once a good thing... the all mighty greenback kills yet another one of life's beautiful & good sides... Sure, you can still make a living on the commercial scraps... don't bullshit me with arguements about "staying true to the art" and other fucking crap like that... banks don't give a shit about how well your argument comes off in an online forum... they care about getting paid... like EVERYone else... I wasted my young adult life chasing a dead dream. MUSIC IS DEAD... MP3's and American Idol killed it.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Peter Shalson, 24 Oct 2010 @ 5:47am

    Corporation killed music

    I agree with lance , MP3's and American Idol killed the music , it's pretty much obvious in every Chanel or radio you turn on :(

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    تقنية, 1 Nov 2010 @ 10:35am

    sure its because of hackers and pirates

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    newest jordan shoes, 8 Nov 2010 @ 11:14pm

    newest jordan shoes

    Hello I am so delighted I found your blog, I really found you by mistake, while I was looking on Yahoo for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thanks for a tremendous post and a all round entertaining blog.

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  • identicon
    sterling silver, 12 Nov 2010 @ 1:04am

    I think not

    As long as their is audience for particular music genre its not going t dead. Its the masses who make it alive or dead. More money is made because their are more people to purchase it. Its about give and take - give their choice of music and they pay you.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    willbates (profile), 12 Nov 2010 @ 3:02am

    Revenue channels

    It is too easy for people to download music for free for them to focus on that as the main source of revenue generation. They need to develop other sides of the business, mainly around the musicians as 'starts', meaning massive gigs and merchandising etc.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    antique pewter, 15 Nov 2010 @ 4:06am

    For me, music is way of moving forward towards hope, towards life. I like every kind of music so how is it going to be dead.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Essay Writing, 25 Nov 2010 @ 1:32am

    I think music Industries has brought so many improvements into the world of business. To any sectors in the industry, technology has provided effective and efficient means of improving their operation.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    StephenR, 28 Nov 2010 @ 8:44am

    Music is definitely dead.

    The fact is that 99.99% of artists in the modern era are hopelessly generic, and they're just repeating the exact same chord progressions, melodies, etc. that have been repeated many times before.

    It's like we as a society have simply run out of ideas. I recently completed the exhaustive process of checking out hundreds of supposedly "original" modern bands, and almost every single one of them was lacking any original ideas whatsoever.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    billy123, 30 Nov 2010 @ 5:14am

    Very nice and comprehensive. I am impressed by your writing style. I too write articles and will mention your work in my internet forum

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Essay Writing, 1 Dec 2010 @ 2:15am

    How Can The Music Industry Be Dead When More Music Is Being Produced And More Money Is Being Made?

    How Can The Music Industry Be Dead When More Music Is Being Produced And More Money Is Being Made? I think that this is really a thing which needs to be ask because there is way that the music industry can not dead any way it has so much to leave and I thing it can produce so much.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Custom Research Papers, 2 Dec 2010 @ 2:39am

    I don't think that The Music Industry Be Dead, Because now a day's many singer's come in this field and produce new type of music. The music Industry can't be death Because peoples like this , and because of this it's producing a lot of money.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    marquee linings, 6 Dec 2010 @ 3:18am

    Dead

    I think music industry is very much alive , and is making awful lots of money. But th point is we don't see musician or singers like Beethoven or Pavarotti and so many more now a days.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Damin, 13 Dec 2010 @ 4:46am

    Not Dead

    The music itself might be near dead but the industries are having the biggest profit of their life , so yeah , still alive

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Split Face Brick, 22 Dec 2010 @ 6:42pm

    Everyone love music and listen all day. Music Industry never die but may be change to from disc or tape to digital. Split Face Brick Articles Smashingk LCD TV Cheap Tools

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Lisa (profile), 27 Dec 2010 @ 9:38am

    great post and creative ideas. I am happy to visit and read useful articles here. I hope you continue to do the sharing through the post to the reader. and good luck for the visitors site. Diskon Gila Disdus.com Bisnis Syariah, Rumah Mungil yang Sehat

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  • identicon
    Ron & CHD Maintenance, 4 Jan 2011 @ 12:18am

    Music business

    I don't think it is how much music is being released. It is how they are releasing it that is hurting the money being made for profits.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Adelei, 4 Jan 2011 @ 9:36am

    Whether or not the profits are up or down, I think the artistic side of music has been suffering for a while. I suppose it could be personal preference, but the pattern is usually the following:

    - Passionate artists are the founders, and are concerned with quality and integrity. Yeah, they might also be concerned with fame and money, but the element of quality is still there.

    - Greedy, money-grubbing jerks ruin it by seeking out the minimum amount of creativity they have to have to get people to buy it because, besides musicians, who'll know the difference?

    - Greedy, money-grubbing jerks aren't creative, so they stick to formulas. They pump out the same old slop until the majority of popular music sounds the same, repetitive, annoying, and shallow.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Adelei, 4 Jan 2011 @ 9:48am

    Additionally: Art is a reflection of the time period and culture that made it. Do you really want to be remembered as the generation that raved over "I whip my hair back and forth"?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Fotocourses, 27 Feb 2011 @ 7:36am

    You have only got to look at the charts to see the poor quality of popular music. Programs like pop idol are creating a karaeoke culture. Lets hope the music buying public sees the light.

    http://www.fotocourses.co.uk}

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 2 Apr 2011 @ 4:54pm

    the freaking music industry is ruined!!! it makes me soo fucking sad!! there are talented...heartful singers/ actors out there with good moral standings....SINCE THE DAWN OF TIME music was the only hope in the human mankind world that gives people dignity a piece of hope for people who deserve it...the secret dream of a loser that got bullied and harrased for years getting the dream or freedom they deserve for years!!!...creativity was one part of life in mankind that no one messed with and NOW..!!! its sooo fucking wrong lady gaga is a fucking freak nothing happened to her she is for gay rights and a mentally insane freak and ppl like and promote her music!! she would have never been there in the first place!!!...honestly there is no point of living if there is no dignity in this life...god forbid...these singers now are going to hell...like katy perry...kesha...they are teaching children horrible habits..!!! great job!!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 2 Apr 2011 @ 4:57pm

      Re:

      ohh i forgot to mention NONE OF THESE THINGS HAPPENED before obama took over!!...people were happy and got what they deserved...life sucks and is soo much more akward to live in noticing these fucking gen is ruining up everything!! obviously MOST dont have good morals...good people just give up ...after this ...how much can a person try??

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 2 Apr 2011 @ 5:01pm

        Re: Re:

        also not to mention the creative people are the ones that come up with the best ideas...music industry is SCARRED!!! i never seen ONE! decent singer...that became famous ...unless they had techno or some freak girls or guys gays kissing..or depresso shit...LIKE I WANT TO FUCKING WATCH THAT!!and these innocent people dont get many views but thoose same innocent ppl back in the day was famous and a good life!! even new artists cant come through because its a horrible situation real music dont get views...!!

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 2 Apr 2011 @ 5:03pm

    there is more artist that are just wrong that i cant stand now ...but there is too many of them to name =O not to mention the butt ugly people in the videos ...thinking they are hot lmaoooo lols!good one!! uglies with uglies

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    bjjbook, 24 Apr 2011 @ 9:59pm

    I dont think anyone can say tyhe music industry is dead when great songs are coming out every day. ran แรน

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    max, 23 May 2011 @ 3:46pm

    it's dying because it's mediocre, unoriginal, and because it is easier to make with the technological advances we have is a major contributing factor as to why it is getting worse

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Paul (profile), 20 Jun 2011 @ 8:44am

    Music is dead not because there is no money left in it, but rather there is no dignity or magic left. With small clubs asking musicians to work on a business model with complete disregard for quality of the music, the current system favors people with few friends and large numbers of insecure acquaintances who looking to anyone or anything to look cool over artists. The way to build a fan base who are capable of being of being moved by music is by playing out, no schmoozing in. I don't see this is as a possibility anymore. I think there was time when musicians cared about the world that they were living in and they shared their humanity with the audience and their band mates. Now they are just a bunch of posturing, half-dead cartoons concerned only where they are in the hierarchy of small time clubs that are using them for drinking customers.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Brian, 11 Jul 2011 @ 8:58am

    MUSIC is thriving - Record Companies are Dead

    Rock & Roll is a declining percentage of the total music business these days. Individual musicians and their fans are now in command, not mega-coprorations (record companies, media conglomerates, radio-networks, etc.).

    In a sense, this is history repeating itself.

    Big companies sell HYPE, not music; they package gimmicks, not talent. People like Hendrix, Joplin, and many others were outsiders who succeeded in spite of the record industry -- they were drawing thousands of people to outdoor music fests, while record companies, TV networks, and radio-syndicates were trying to push crappy pop-vocal acts. Just look at the inner sleeves of old LP's by rock superstars, and they're full of plugs for long-forgotten corporate schlock.

    The same thing is happening today: the big corporatinos are trying to push crappy teeny-bopper acts, lousy pop-vocalists, boring corporate 'rock' acts, etc. The public is responding by going to what's cool -- adn musicians are able to profit by usint the interenet. The musicians with talent and the fans no longer need the major corporations.

    The same phenomenon has been happening in news for some time (the Economist notes the irrelevance of of mega-corporation news and the return of 'Coffee Houses' in its July 2011 issue).

    In my city, there are at least 100 live venues which featuer live music every night -- most are packed. None of the acts are signesd to a major record company, and hardly any get any coprorate radio airplay (neither the fans, nor the musicians pay much attention to commercial radio at all). But they all have inerenet sites and fans who comprise a network that keeps the music business booming -- even in this economic recession.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Curt, 12 Jul 2011 @ 11:58pm

    Music is increasing in both volume of artists/bands and number of active commercial artists/bands. However like it has been said in a previous comment Rock and Roll is not a sizeable part of that increase satiation. It, being the margin of music made possible by technology and social network marketing is that of pop or pop/hip hop. The author of huffington post being criticized is right in that there will be no Jimi Hendrix, or Doors, or Nirvana of this generation simply becuase they wont sound like Mike Posner, or Arcade Fire, or Fall out Boy. New sounds are often inspired by culture movements and the roots that attach are roots that are pushed through the ground, not pulled through. The doors, Jimi Hendrix, and Kurt Cobain would of been, today, youtube celebs at the most, if they even had that intitiative (something tells me they would be too busy with "recreational" endeavors) to put their content out in such a forward fashion. I mean lets be honest, fall out boy is arguably the best social network success in modern music and they prettty much suck, and there is an intrinsic reason for that. Artists with no valuable content need to market. period. Hence most of the music today is, well, invaluable.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Jay Within, 2 Aug 2011 @ 6:02pm

    The big record labels are going to go out at some point-it's just like art-back when nobody did it, it was cooler, more unique-you were cooler if you did it bc you were a rebel. Also don't tell me that those thousands of people who saw Hendrix in that legendary performance were just there to see him and not for the recreational part. It's already been stated in here that new music has to be pushed not pulled again true. My misunderstanding comes from the part about smaller musicians still being able to make a living off of music. I don't know where everyone else is coming from but in my state (NY, not counting NYC) nobody can live off it-it's a hobby at best, go out and watch your friends play and get trashed. First off the venues don't even listen to your music they listen to your friend counter. No joke I introduced a steadily growing record label with a band who brought hundreds to the show-sold a ton of merch, rocked the place and literally are just the definition of rock band-they've been at it for a few years and at this point their shows normally consist of them opening for a bigger act, they're all over the radio in their area-the works. I thought I did these guys the biggest favor in the world and what did the label say-"not enough friends on your facebook". This is what pisses me off-the band is pro and all they need is some distrobution and to be thrown onto one of any bigger bands tours and they'd be gold. But back to my point I'm not sure if the people who are making any sort of living what-so-ever off of it live in bigger cities or something but that is a fantasy around here

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    New York Jazz Musician, 22 Nov 2011 @ 8:27pm

    Wrong !

    Mr. Masnick, your article is so wrong. If the industry is doing so well, why recording studios are closing in NY, why we musicians are having a hard time finding gigs, why the average song is so primitive musically speaking ? Most of the people don't have a clue about what is going on with us, professional musicians. We are not rock stars, we have families and we used to make a decent living offering our art. (thousands of hours of rehearsing, studying armory, composition, money spent in instruments, gear, etc. etc.).
    Honestly I would like to see where the money is. And let me tell you that I'm not the average musician, I had platinum records, played in Europe, North and South America. This is not happening anymore. My band can't compete with free music! Spotify? Well is pure piracy as we all know. Your article is not only wrong, is dead wrong, is the point of view of an outsider. Is the only way to understand it. But please, don't spread ill informed opinions.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    New York Jazz Musician, 22 Nov 2011 @ 8:38pm

    Wrong !

    Mr. Masnick, your article is so wrong. If the industry is doing so well, why recording studios are closing in NY, why we musicians are having a hard time finding gigs, why the average song is so primitive musically speaking ? Most of the people don't have a clue about what is going on with us, professional musicians. We are not rock stars, we have families and we used to make a decent living offering our art. (thousands of hours of rehearsing, studying armory, composition, money spent in instruments, gear, etc. etc.).
    Honestly I would like to see where the money is. And let me tell you that I'm not the average musician, I had platinum records, played in Europe, North and South America. This is not happening anymore. My band can't compete with free music! Spotify? Well is pure piracy as we all know. Your article is not only wrong, is dead wrong, is the point of view of an outsider. Is the only way to understand it. But please, don't spread ill informed opinions.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Protecstaff, 14 May 2012 @ 10:50pm

    CMB

    I do find it difficult to imagine him "spamming potential fans on MySpace" - but only because MySpace is already out of date.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    เกมส์, 5 Jun 2012 @ 12:54am

    Game

    It's like saying that Beethoven game song, if alive today, would have ignored the game electric guitar, synthesizer etc and stuck to the piano.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    PersianGooner, 7 Jun 2012 @ 12:19pm

    game

    Yes i am smart too!!!!!!!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    sprearson81 (profile), 8 Jun 2012 @ 6:26pm

    A long way from dead . . .

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    zee, 29 Jun 2013 @ 8:28am

    Another recent study showed more music being released today than ever before in history.
    NOBODY IS BUYING ANYTHING STUPIDO LOL
    TO SELL 2-4 MILLION ALBUMS PER SOME ARTIST IS NOTHING!
    LIKE VITAMINES,LOTS OF VITAMINES,NO USE,EVERYTHING IS THE SAME!lol

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    aashiqui2songs.in, 22 May 2014 @ 2:27am

    Great informative

    It's great news on music and I do appreciate your work .

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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