Waiting around for the industry to eat itself 


The state of the industry and some links 

For years and years pundits, artists and digeratti have predicted the end of the modern music industry. The major labels have continued to stagnate, dropping their smaller, edgier acts (ie: the Radioheads and Wilcos of tomorrow) while concentrating their efforts and promotion on an increasingly narrow group of guaranteed hit makers and manufactured talentless lipsync'ers in pursuit of better profit margins. The fact that the labels are now in the portfolios of major corporations makes their drive for revenue even more insistent.

The internet was supposed to change all that. It was going to democratize the process and allow the artists to do it themselves, and many are doing just that. However, having a website and a CDR won't get you onto the radio and even college radio (the last bastion of independent music) is becoming controller by the majors. If you aren't on the radio and you aren't getting press, who the heck is going to hear your music anyway.

We're still waiting for a truly independent artist to break out and do it on their own terms.

Anyway, the economist has finally noticed. Here's an article they have on the current state of the music industry. (requires registration)

Also, Frontline, the PBS show did a pretty good show about it too and they are streaming it off their website. 

Posted: Wed - November 10, 2004 at 02:08 PM          

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