"Apple/iTunes do not care about Independent Labels or, for that matter, the record industry," says Tony Brummel of Victory Records. Tony sounds off on iTunes in an email to FMQB (Friday Morning Quarterback, a radio industry trade paper). In FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more! Mr. Brummel rails against Steve Jobs as well as major labels who are bending over backward to get their music on iTunes.
All in all, a fiery and interesting missive. Tony, I'm with ya.
I was having a discussion today with an acquaintance and we both agreed that record companies are facing a short half-life. TV and radio stations have a bit longer to live, but major record companies have been sucking from the big teat for way too long. When someone pays $15 for a piece of plastic that's worth less than a buck and then starts to look at where the majority of that money goes, they stop buying. The pricing model is growing tiresome.
I have only bought a half dozen CD's in the past year - and that's more than the previous couple of years combined. And I think the only things I bought were from old established (or dead) artists such as Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush and George Harrison. Either that or unknown bands / artists that totally slip my mind right now because I'm not sitting in front of my collection :)
Very few new artists offer anything new to me. The craftsmanship is based on machinery, not true artistry or talent. There are exceptions of course. I actually watched the Grammys and thought U2 did a fine job. Keith Urban was a pleasant surprise. McCartney doing a duet with a young rapper (who?) on 'Yesterday' was an interesting bit of updated nostalgia. But not much else there intrigued me. Why not invite Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley to the stage? His lp "Welcome to Jamrock" has knocked down doors, and flown up charts. He even grabbed another Grammy for best reggae album (if you're a Marley you will most likely walk away with that award!). Put him and his massive dreadlocks on stage and I'd be calling my parents to watch!
Long live independent music.
All in all, a fiery and interesting missive. Tony, I'm with ya.
I was having a discussion today with an acquaintance and we both agreed that record companies are facing a short half-life. TV and radio stations have a bit longer to live, but major record companies have been sucking from the big teat for way too long. When someone pays $15 for a piece of plastic that's worth less than a buck and then starts to look at where the majority of that money goes, they stop buying. The pricing model is growing tiresome.
I have only bought a half dozen CD's in the past year - and that's more than the previous couple of years combined. And I think the only things I bought were from old established (or dead) artists such as Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush and George Harrison. Either that or unknown bands / artists that totally slip my mind right now because I'm not sitting in front of my collection :)
Very few new artists offer anything new to me. The craftsmanship is based on machinery, not true artistry or talent. There are exceptions of course. I actually watched the Grammys and thought U2 did a fine job. Keith Urban was a pleasant surprise. McCartney doing a duet with a young rapper (who?) on 'Yesterday' was an interesting bit of updated nostalgia. But not much else there intrigued me. Why not invite Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley to the stage? His lp "Welcome to Jamrock" has knocked down doors, and flown up charts. He even grabbed another Grammy for best reggae album (if you're a Marley you will most likely walk away with that award!). Put him and his massive dreadlocks on stage and I'd be calling my parents to watch!
Long live independent music.
posted by Tim 'Gonzo' Gordon @ 3:17 PM
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