Its a given that the music world is indeed changing. In these days of digital downloads, MySpace, YouTube and social media, artists have embraced alternative means to get their music out there. So much so in fact that these things are hardly even considered ‘alternative’ any more; For any artist, from the biggest star down to the coffee shop or bedroom folkster, it’s become a necessity.
With all the labels generally nervous of the implications of the digital revolution (with root kits, DRM, lawsuits, and generally locking down the music), it just doesn’t seem to make sense for certain artists to get involved at all. Not everyone can possibly go the route that Radiohead set out, but those who do not embrace that DIY attitude towards their music and their fanbase, will surely be left behind eventually.
I’d like to say that we at Hello Come In were early adopters to this new music industry 2.0, but we’re not. In fact I am not so sure we’re really doing this for that reason…but in the nine or ten months Aryn, Greg and I have been posting our monthly EPs of original music, it’s been pretty cool to discover and see others who are doing similar things. Some to great success.
— Ropeadope Records for instance is the epitome of DIY, now distributing music in digital-only formats.
— Wired profiles Jonathan Coulton who sells and gives away his music on his site, and connecting with an audience through his blog and podcast. NY Timesand NPR also discussed Coulton and others.
— Podington Bear is a mysterious electronic pop artist, who three days a week posts a new song on his website and podcast. Though no one knows much about him (or her?), the quality and quantity of music has earned him a decent following. NPR profiled PB and Paleo, another artist who records a song a day.
Meanwhile, we are apparently not the only musicians attempting to collaborate via long distances either (not shocking I know). But with new internet applications and technology becoming cheaper and more user friendly, it all seems to be coming together.
— NPR profiled a few musicians who in many different ways manage to create pretty decent music using eJamming and other various internet applications.
This is by all means not the entire list, but just a few select articles that have caught my eye in recent months. It’s all pretty exciting to see the evolution and all these various parts come together. Lots to discuss here I’m sure, so have at it.