A good analysis as to why the music industry’s profits are in the tank. Hint: it has absolutely nothing to do with piracy.
In 1980, when the same sort of listener burnout bedeviled the biz and its superstars, salvation came from an unexpected source: MTV, an upstart cable channel that began broadcasting clips by a new generation of British bands simply because the established U.S. performers weren’t yet making video clips. Groups like Culture Club, Duran Duran, and the Clash–whose label didn’t even release the original version of its first album in the United States till 2000–broke through to a novelty-starved audience. Suddenly, home taping wasn’t an issue anymore.
This is just the sort of shock that the music industry needs–and labors so hard to prevent. Since 1980, the mainstream music industry has only consolidated: Five companies control CD sales, MTV owns a multi-channel music-TV franchise, and a single company, Clear Channel, dominates both the concert business and Top 40 and rock radio. Ironically, if unsurprisingly, the biz has suffered from its near-monopolistic control. Short-sighted labels and tightly programmed radio have bolstered the success of certain styles and performers but prevented anything fresh from breaking through.
(via BoingBoing)
My sole source for hearing new music is local Detroit radio.
Yawno.
I have three classic rock stations, all playing led zep and aerosmith – which is great *when* I feel nostalgic… one that plays a blend of alternate and some sort of urban rap/hiphop/noise… (nothing fun or tongue in cheek – humourless hiphop. bleh) … and one that plays alternate leaning toward new rock, which sounds to me just like old rock…
and what is it with all the sampling of old hits and remaking of old hits – can’t you people think up anything new on your own…?
er. nevermind. obviously NOT.
And our Public radio plays jazz at night, until after I’m down… double yawno.