Music Business Blog by Jason Feinberg

Interesting article here – http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2008/sep/23/credit.crunch.and.music

Basically discussing how the current economic situation might affect songwriting and music style. Discusses the conditions that led to the surge of rock ‘n roll, punk, and other genres that have offered social commentary.

It’s interesting to me in the sense that I have complained for a long time now that much of mainstream music has lost most of its depth. That most of the talented songwriters with a message have opted for the independent route where their message doesn’t get diluted and exploited for marketing purposes. Will we ever have another Bob Dylan? Look what happened when the Dixie Chicks spoke out (side note – their documentary Shut Up And Sing is critical viewing, and I’m not into their tunes so much). Is the public even ready for meaning in their music again?

Music can be such a uniting, powerful force. Unfortunately so much of what has been commercially successful is really aimed at the other end of the spectrum – keep it simple and appeal to as many people as possible. We need more substance, and it needs to come from people with a platform. So I am hoping that the current state of affairs does encourage people to add more depth into their art at a more mainstream level. It really can change the world.

I’ve been using Twitter for a while now, it’s a fun and creative way to stay in touch with people and market my artists. Great article on creative uses for the service – http://rohitbhargava.typepad.com/weblog/2007/04/a_few_nonboring.html

Click the link for details, but here’s the gist of it –
# Capture the live pulse of an event
# Deepen a static experience through live commentary
# Facilitate collaborative watching
# Add a new dimension to promotions

More at http://rohitbhargava.typepad.com/weblog/2007/04/a_few_nonboring.html

I try hard to keep my personal politics out of this blog, as most of my readers are into my views on music, marketing, and new media. i could write for days and days though, and i think i’ll start a separate blog to do that. however this is important info for all of us –

Countdown to the first presidential debate: 23 days
Countdown to the vice presidential debate: 29 days
Countdown to the second presidential debate 34 days
Countdown to the third presidential debate: 42 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 63 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 140 days