taken by: Keith Tyler
I talk a lot about the effects of technology on our lives (see here, here and here). It plays a dire part in the music industry and how the industry constantly changes as technology becomes exponentially more accessible and convenient. With the internet, YouTube, social media sites, and blogs, it is easier for artists to create their art and present it to the masses. Take, for instance, my buddy Jay Brannon who I interviewed for Atlanta Music Guide. Jay’s music career really started taking off with the onset of YouTube. He records his songs in his tiny New York apartment, posts them on YouTube and his MySpace page, and asks his friends to check him out. Soon, his exposure soared, and now Jay is touring around the U.S. and just released his second full-length album. I asked Jay what he thinks of the relationship between technology and the music industry, and this is what he said:
I think it’s awesome. I mean, the internet is the best thing that could have ever happened for me. I’ve gotten to do a lot of really cool things that I couldn’t have done if I couldn’t do it on my own, online. I can write songs in my apartment and put them up in the middle of the night, and it costs me no money. With my creations, no one can tell me what to do. No one would have given me a second look without the internet. It’s good for consumers too because they can choose what they want to hear now. We all have more options, as creators and as consumers.
I agree. Technology has allowed artists to share their creations with anyone and everyone, and it has made artists accessible to fans. Not to mention, artists can promote and book their own shows without having to hire a manager, booking agent, and publicist.
But Where’s the Money, Honey??
But as far as revenues go… well, we haven’t figured that out yet. Blogs and digital download services and YouTube are great and all, but we (meaning the music industry primarily) just haven’t found the formula for 1) keeping up with the average consumer’s knowledge of technology, and 2) making the artists the amount of money they deserve. Giant record labels lag far behind the individual’s technical where-with-all, and artists’ bank accounts are suffering because of it. Since technology is growing at exponential rates, we only hope that the artists and smaller entertainment industry businesses can take it into their hands to forge new revenue streams. Some artists are starting to think of their creative capital as a business in itself, which is certainly helping. Instead of seeking label support, they are generating revenues from owning their own content. It may be difficult when it comes to mustering up the money to record a full-length album, but owning your own content and delivering it directly to the consumer is the path down which the music industry is moving. And I look forward to seeing where that path leads us!
One of my favorite sites writes almost solely on music and technology and is a fantastic source of information on the subject. Check out hypebot here.
Po-ta-to [puh-tey-toh, -tuh]: A person whose interests do not reach beyond normal, everyday comfort. In an American man, it might be someone who seeks employment from his parents’ company, watches sports, and gets wasted on the weekends. Potatoes often have no interest in art, culture, or travel; and they are not motivated toward personal growth or learning for the sake of learning. Potato people, just like the food, can sustain us, can fill our bellies, but offer little taste or semblance of nostalgia, excitement, or substance. Simply put, potatoes get the job done, and that’s about it.
