This article was quite refreshing, not because it dispels the reputation the music industry has for shady business. It actually reinforces it. No, I enjoyed this article because near the end it details how all of the industry's ratty business model is coming back to bite it in the ass. Years of exploiting the artist and consumer are finally coming to an end now that they no longer have an iron grip on intellectual property. By forcing a new format down our throats (CD's), the music industry inadvertently signed their own death warrant. The masses gained access to music on a scale never before imagined through music ripping and file trading. Not that this is all roses and magic brownies. I think that there's definitely going to be some serious growing pains as the industry is forced back to the real world, a world where people like to be respected and treated fairly. What a concept. I think that eventually large labels are going to have to come to terms with the fact that they no longer "own" intellectual property. Want a song? Well you can download it. For free. (not counting the moral cost, of course). Still what this means is that the music industry now has to work with both the consumer (to give us a reason to buy music) and the artist (to help develop said reason). Plus I think there will definitely be a revitalization of live music at some point, something that I wholeheartedly anticipate. Perhaps we'll see an era of alternative jam bands and indie bars (akin to jazz bars perhaps?). Who knows?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I like how you've pointed out the fact that the music industry is now being forced to finally accept some things it's been fighting for so long. Not only do they have to accept it, but now they've got to work with the people they spent so much time and effort competing against and it's hurt them dearly. Hopefully with time a new model will be put in place that makes things better for both sides.
ReplyDeletei hope the music industry pushes its artists to produce music worth buying in its entirety. i also love the idea of a revitalization of jam bands you suggest.
ReplyDelete