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R.E.M., Open Source, and Staying Alive When an Industry Shifts
2008feb19
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Over the weekend, Nat posted "Artistic License 2.0 and ... REM?!" which noted that the veteran rock'n'roll band was releasing its new video under an open license (if not in an open format). It's good to see an old band learn a new trick, and it suggests what those in the music industry might do if they want to have a future in it.
In "A rare post about the music industry that isn't completely depressing," I looked at Jill Sobule's attempt to fund her next record via online contributions. It's a savvy attempt that seems to be succeeding: she's more than two-thirds on her way to meeting her not-so-modest recording budget. A performer like Sobule (and, as we'll see shortly, R.E.M.) comes to alternate ways of funding or promoting new music with baggage -- unlike younger performers, like Yael Naim, who can get lucky thanks to novelty (see "Steve Jobs rules the recording industry. Now what?") These performers are experimenting with new ways to get heard because the old ways weren't working. Prince, to cite one high-profile example, wouldn't have started distributing his records via concert add-ons or newspaper inserts if the old distribution methods were still working for him ...
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http://radar.oreilly.com/archives/2008/ ... ource.html}
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U2: Online Bonanza?
28.01.2008
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28.01.2008
Online Bonanza?
"The Online Bonanza: Who is making all the money and why aren't they sharing it?" A speech by Paul McGuinness at MIDEM's first International Manager Summit.
‘Good afternoon and thank you for giving me this opportunity. I don't make many speeches and this is an important and imposing occasion for me. What I'm trying do here today is identify a course of action that will benefit all: artists, labels, writers and publishers.
I have been managing the best known of my clients U2 for exactly 30 years. Sure we've made mistakes along the way but the lineup hasn't changed in 31 years. They are as ambitious and hardworking as ever, and each time they make a record and tour, it's better than the last time. They are doing their best work now. During that time the music business has been through many changes.
At the beginning U2's live appearances were loss making and tour support from our record label was essential for us to tour and that paid off for the label as U2's records went to No.1 in nearly every international territory starting in the mid 80s and I'm happy to say that continues to the present day. They have sold about 150 million records to date and the last album went to No.1 in 27 territories ...
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http://www.u2.com/news/index.php?mode=full&news_id=2196}
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