http://www.savenetradio.org/
Save Internet RadioIts been a while since I've posted. That just underscores how importnat I feel this might be. Electronic distribution is the single, biggest threat to the current music industry since casette tapes. We all know how the ability to record on casette tapes destroyed the record companies and the artists they
support, right? Its very similar to the way that vcr tapes bancrupted the movie industry. We all remember when motion picture studios made millions of dollars from the production of a film. Those were the days...
The threat is not against the industry or the art, its against the monopolists. Not only that, but the threat is merely imagined. Sure, a cheaper alternative to traditional recorded media distibution does impact the traditional supply chains revenue in a real way. However, no one would argue that we should keep hauling buckets of water from a well when plumbing is cost effective and reliable.
As a musician, I can attest that record companies do not exist to support the artist. They exist to capitalize on you and your propensity to consume what is popular. They feed on the emotional power that music holds and they exploit the psychological impact that a song has on an experience. None of this is bad. This is, in fact, good for our society. It is good to feel happy and excited about something and recall that years later with a song. It is good to explore your darker emotions with melody that reminds you that you are not alone. However, it is not good to limit the opportunity for inspirational song and it is down right imoral to control the supply of pure art. Controlled supply is offensive, selfish practice and it serves no on e but the controller. The music distribution industry, ie: record companies (and there are really only 3... yes, three), are working very hard to make sure you can only get your hands on the music they deem worthy and profitable. Everything else they would like to bury.
This new, porposed legislation is not targeted at protecting the people or artists of america, it is targeted at protecting the big three record companies and their fat pockets. Hey, I want fat pockets, too. ...but I would not accept a million tax free dollars if it came along with the knowledge that in keeping my money I'd be killing the future of thousands of musicians who were right on the edge of giveing the world something wonderful.
In closing, I want to encourage you to listed to music online, share your opinions with your friends, go to shows and sing in the shower. Check out
http://www.pandora.com if you haven't already. Type in your favorite artist and see what great new music they find for you.
I've recently created my first
levous myspace band profile: have a listen if you like and please don't let rock and roll die!