Comments on: All Music Should Be Free http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/ Skewered bits of what really matters. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:06:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.3 By:   The 9/11 of the Internet — Reality on a Stick http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-440   The 9/11 of the Internet — Reality on a Stick Thu, 08 Nov 2007 21:28:16 +0000 http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-440 [...] enough, this occurred shortly after I made my first blog posting, “All Music Should Be Free”, on Reality on a [...] […] enough, this occurred shortly after I made my first blog posting, “All Music Should Be Free”, on Reality on a […]

]]> By: Steven Nishida http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-433 Steven Nishida Fri, 26 Oct 2007 02:53:42 +0000 http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-433 "Major labels are soo 2006." LOL! “Major labels are soo 2006.”

LOL!

]]> By: flat-black http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-432 flat-black Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:34:45 +0000 http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-432 Major labels are soo 2006. Major labels are soo 2006.

]]> By: Steven Nishida http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-409 Steven Nishida Wed, 17 Oct 2007 05:49:37 +0000 http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-409 I think it's about time that we attempt to identify viable alternatives current methods of packaging and controlling information--especially art. Essentially, the record and film industries have succeeded despite grossly overpriced offerings, because previously available recording mediums ensured that dubbing was relatively cumbersome and (usually) poor quality. That has changed drastically. It's really the same reason that print media is struggling to redefine its worth. Today's reality: Copying digital media--be it artwork, music, film, print, or otherwise--is neither cumbersome nor low-quality. The availability of low-priced/free alternatives shakes up the lopsided pricing structures that have governed analog product distribution for decades. I think it’s about time that we attempt to identify viable alternatives current methods of packaging and controlling information–especially art. Essentially, the record and film industries have succeeded despite grossly overpriced offerings, because previously available recording mediums ensured that dubbing was relatively cumbersome and (usually) poor quality. That has changed drastically. It’s really the same reason that print media is struggling to redefine its worth. Today’s reality: Copying digital media–be it artwork, music, film, print, or otherwise–is neither cumbersome nor low-quality. The availability of low-priced/free alternatives shakes up the lopsided pricing structures that have governed analog product distribution for decades.

]]> By: flat-black http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-401 flat-black Thu, 11 Oct 2007 03:48:24 +0000 http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-401 Brian recommended a good book to me called, "Free Culture", by Lawrence Lessig. http://www.free-culture.cc/about/ Free Culture? Hmm, what a grand idea... Brian recommended a good book to me called, “Free Culture”, by Lawrence Lessig.

http://www.free-culture.cc/about/

Free Culture? Hmm, what a grand idea…

]]> By: flat-black http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-400 flat-black Thu, 11 Oct 2007 03:32:23 +0000 http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-400 I love this analogy by Steve Albini about the major labels- "Whenever I talk to a band who are about to sign with a major label, I always end up thinking of them in a particular context. I imagine a trench, about four feet wide and five feet deep, maybe sixty yards long, filled with runny, decaying shit. I imagine these people, some of them good friends, some of them barely acquaintances, at one end of this trench. I also imagine a faceless industry lackey at the other end holding a fountain pen and a contract waiting to be signed. Nobody can see what's printed on the contract. It's too far away, and besides, the shit stench is making everybody's eyes water. The lackey shouts to everybody that the first one to swim the trench gets to sign the contract. Everybody dives in the trench and they struggle furiously to get to the other end. Two people arrive simultaneously and begin wrestling furiously, clawing each other and dunking each other under the shit. Eventually, one of them capitulates, and there's only one contestant left. He reaches for the pen, but the Lackey says "Actually, I think you need a little more development. Swim again, please. Backstroke". And he does of course." I love this analogy by Steve Albini about the major labels-

“Whenever I talk to a band who are about to sign with a major label, I always end up thinking of them in a particular context. I imagine a trench, about four feet wide and five feet deep, maybe sixty yards long, filled with runny, decaying shit. I imagine these people, some of them good friends, some of them barely acquaintances, at one end of this trench. I also imagine a faceless industry lackey at the other end holding a fountain pen and a contract waiting to be signed. Nobody can see what’s printed on the contract. It’s too far away, and besides, the shit stench is making everybody’s eyes water. The lackey shouts to everybody that the first one to swim the trench gets to sign the contract. Everybody dives in the trench and they struggle furiously to get to the other end. Two people arrive simultaneously and begin wrestling furiously, clawing each other and dunking each other under the shit. Eventually, one of them capitulates, and there’s only one contestant left. He reaches for the pen, but the Lackey says “Actually, I think you need a little more development. Swim again, please. Backstroke”. And he does of course.”

]]> By: dpm http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-397 dpm Mon, 08 Oct 2007 21:32:00 +0000 http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-397 P.S. about copyright: I was involved in a short lived "label" that released music online, all under a creative commons license, which is like open source but for creative media: http://creativecommons.org/about/license/ P.S. about copyright: I was involved in a short lived “label” that released music online, all under a creative commons license, which is like open source but for creative media:

http://creativecommons.org/about/license/

]]> By: dpm http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-396 dpm Mon, 08 Oct 2007 21:28:39 +0000 http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-396 Well, most artists already make most of their money from touring and merch, which the record companies don't get a slice of. But the problem becomes distribution, how do you get the word out? Radio is dead, MTV doesn't play music, so you're left with pitchfork, blogs etc., which requires little or no money. Man the industry is screwed. Here's an interesting article from the NYTimes about how Rick Ruben is trying to start something: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/02/magazine/02rubin.t.html?ref=magazine Before the internet, music junkies would buy used records by the crate and sift the dusty jackets... you have to admit there's something nice about those old sleeves. I've got 500 LPs and no turntable, what's the world coming to?! Well, most artists already make most of their money from touring and merch, which the record companies don’t get a slice of. But the problem becomes distribution, how do you get the word out? Radio is dead, MTV doesn’t play music, so you’re left with pitchfork, blogs etc., which requires little or no money. Man the industry is screwed. Here’s an interesting article from the NYTimes about how Rick Ruben is trying to start something:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/02/magazine/02rubin.t.html?ref=magazine

Before the internet, music junkies would buy used records by the crate and sift the dusty jackets… you have to admit there’s something nice about those old sleeves. I’ve got 500 LPs and no turntable, what’s the world coming to?!

]]> By: flat-black http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-395 flat-black Mon, 08 Oct 2007 21:14:06 +0000 http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-395 Good point. Copyright laws have been stretched to ridiculous measures. It's about time the people were put in control of the media. Hell- that's why the 80's were so much fun! Everything was being remixed. Good point. Copyright laws have been stretched to ridiculous measures. It’s about time the people were put in control of the media. Hell- that’s why the 80’s were so much fun! Everything was being remixed.

]]> By: Brian http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-394 Brian Mon, 08 Oct 2007 18:51:44 +0000 http://realityonastick.com/2007/10/09/all-music-should-be-free/#comment-394 I also think free music allows others to remix and cut-up existing work without the fear of being sued. The results foster creativity and innovation. The Gray Album by Danger Mouse is a good, early example of the kind of innovation that could come if the copyrights barriers come down (or if people like Danger Mouse just say fuck you to the copyright holders). I also think free music allows others to remix and cut-up existing work without the fear of being sued. The results foster creativity and innovation. The Gray Album by Danger Mouse is a good, early example of the kind of innovation that could come if the copyrights barriers come down (or if people like Danger Mouse just say fuck you to the copyright holders).

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