Are music streaming services damaging or encouraging?

Although music streaming has been around for sometime now, there is still mix opinion on whether the whole concept benefits the artist/label.

The real question which should be asked is whether it benefits the fans. Fans are the basis for an artist to become successful so, in essence, pleasing the fans is the number one priority. A high number of fans believe that streaming services are damaging for their favourite artists and artists miss out on a lot of income. WRONG! Although the thought of 'if streaming services didn't exist then fans would purchase the artists songs' the reality is that if streaming services didn't exist then the fans wouldn't know about the artists songs and may not even know about the artist.

Another argument is that it's the labels fault, not the streaming services. Certain labels have various different deals with streaming services like Spotify, deals which are secret and unknown to the public, let alone the artist. So, how can artists just blame Spotify for their money losses when their label does a deal with them on the artists behalf?

Here are two varied opinions from two recording artists:

Billy Bragg
http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/billy-bragg-enters-spotify-debate-the-labels-are-to-blame/

Thom Yorke
http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/yorke-still-down-on-spotify-says-its-getting-in-the-way-of-direct-to-fan/

Blackberry: Always Be Suspicious

I recently read an article on Amaru Don TV about a new business model that Blackberry has created for musicians. So many questions flew into to mind as to how and why Blackberry can do this. With the music business up in arms with the new DIY business model, it's not exactly the most profitable business for a company to go in if it's not their original business field. Firstly, I'm going to question the idea and then research to find the right answer. So, will Blackberry be a goldmine for unsigned artists or is there an ulterior motive?

Yes, I do have a Blackberry phone, which I love very much, but I can't just think positive of them because I like their products. You always need to question things with an open mind. Looking over the facts, it's hard to figure out why they are doing this; Blackberry are a business and businesses need to make money. For an artist to keep 90% of the sales there must be several clauses in the contract which favour Blackberry. The negative vibe between artists and managers/labels was created by artists not full understanding or reading their contracts and just signing away, hoping for the extravagant life style they've been promised. Whatever the way in which the artists perceive their work, once money has been exchanged for it, it has become a business; they've become a business. They can sugar coat it in whatever way they want, to their fans, but at the end of the day their fans are their buyers and the fans are how they make their money to live.

Artists need to understand that they are a business and which each business, every detail needs to be over-looked to ensure the up-most success of that business. What I am really getting at is that, contracts need to be fully read and not to trust the person on the other end of the contract. Artists get sucked in by the opportunity this 'Jesus' like person is offering that they think 'they would never screw me over'. WRONG. Always be full aware of everything written in that contract and ALWAYS GET A LAWYER.

Now, back to Blackberry:
As explained before, contracts needs to be read. The idea that someone is willing to let you keep 90% of sales is extraordinary that anyone working in law or the music industry will think twice. 90% of sales could mean 90% of sales in Belgium and 100% of sales in other countries goes to Blackberry. It could even mean 90% of sales on some obscure website that 5 people purchase music off, a year. Another could be 90% of sales for the first year and then 10% of sales until the songs copyright runs out.

BUT 90% of sales to the artist could mean 90% of sales to the artist, it could be the clauses in the contract that would screw you over.

Contracts can include clauses of exclusivity, meaning you can only work with them. In the case of Blackberry, it could mean you could only sell your music through them. In some contracts now, they can have wavers which waver your rights, such as moral rights. Rights of paternity come under the umbrella of moral rights. Rights of paternity give you the right to be named as the author or creator of the work/song. If you waver these rights then you waver the right to have your name on your work.
By wavering your rights you can also loose the right to say where your song can be used, e.g. your song could be used in a campaign even if you're against it.

So, in conclusion;

• Be cautious
• Don't get distracted by 'treats' when talking about business
• Always read your contract thoroughly
• Always get a lawyer

Hopefully in the future I'll be able to read a Blackberry 'unsigned' contract and report back.
Until then, let me hear your opinions


Article Link: http://amarudontv.com/2013/03/25/unsigned-advice-sell-your-music-through-blackberry-world-online-store-and-keep-90-of-sales/

Lines That Boil My Blood

Ok so, you're writing a song and everything links, makes sense and looks perfect.
Well I hope to science that you haven't used any of the following!
These are the epitome of TERRIBLE lines, featured in soo many songs like a #YOLO trend! I can never see how anyone can think theses even make sense and sound good. Using any of the following will be deemed 'cringeworthy', so watch out:

'make it through'  - Make it through what exactly?? You're piles of money or the extortionate amount of love your fans give you?

'in the world, today' - Well I'm sure it was around yesterday and will be around tomorrow

'seen the light' - are you religious? Are you dying? live in a cave?

'my friend' - okay, rub it in that you have some and I don't




Please, feel free to add your own

Save the independents!

Here's a list of documentaries, films, youtube videos and articles that will make you think about buying music from a Superstore and open you eyes to the real music industry:

Films & YouTube Videos

Berwick Street Independent Record Fair (2011)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LgLOq37Cqc
http://www.dummymag.com/videos/2011/06/30/independent-label-market-documentary/

Dischord Records - Doing It Wrong (2011)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvzmjdhzJlk

Upside Down: The Creation Records Story (2010)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upside_Down:_The_Creation_Records_Story

The A & R Guy (2010)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBsGiuAEPXc

I Need That Record (2008)

http://ineedthatrecord.com/I_Need_That_Record%21/I_Need_That_Record%21.html

24 Hour Party People (2002)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24_Hour_Party_People

Record Labels, Bands and Social Media

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlxLYIVWSb8

What I haven't seen but need to:

The Very Strange Story of.. The Legendary Joe Meek (1991)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0324086/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tcS91fL8jQ

Blood, Sweat + Vinyl: DIY In The 21st Century (2011)
http://www.bloodsweatvinyl.com/

Kill The Record Labels (2009)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xJjag5Ypb8

Before The Music Dies B4MD (2006)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0760307/plotsummary

23 Envelope - A Rare Documentary on 4AD Records
http://thegreatmusicmentaries.tumblr.com/post/36081856836/23-envelope-a-rare-documentary-on-4ad-records

Upcoming 2013 film about Martin Hannett (Factory Records)

Link to '10 Best Indie Rock Documentaries
http://stereogum.com/1155172/the-10-best-indie-rock-documentaries/franchises/listomania/

Articles and Blogs

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2012/feb/02/behind-music-record-labels

Why I Won't Have Two Different Prices In The Wrong Places

Having recently seen the report of HMV going into Administration, as well as Jessops (where I once worked), I tried to work out what one key/main feature both these stores had for going into Administration/closing their doors for good. After seeing comments such as 'It's because everyone goes online to get the best deal' and 'The companies just wanted money and didn't give any service to customers anymore', I think I came up with a pretty justified explanation.

Both of these companies had two separate pricing systems: An online price and an in-store price.

What are the cost differences of having an online store to an actual shop?
Well, online, you have to pay for the web address (yearly payment usually), Graphics and web design, people to run it, customer services, complaints service, helpline, and probably a lot more than I have noted.
But, put into comparison with a shop, it seems cheaper.
For a shop, you will have to pay for, rent of premises (or cost to buy unit), staff to work daily, cover staff if staff are unable to work shifts, managers, area managers, regional managers, uniforms, units in the store (shelving, etc.), shipment of goods, the cost of the goods themselves, Graphic design for the store promotions, interior designer, customer services, complaints service, helpline, etc, etc.

So, if it costs more to run a shop than an online store, why have cheaper prices on the online store, wouldn't you want to encourage shoppers to use the physical shop??

Opinions anyone?

Music and Science

Being of the feline kind, I have a lot of spare time on my pretty little paws. As I glanced up at the rain on a cold Wednesday eve a horrid man-machine screeched passed me blaring out what only can be described as 'man sounds' (MUSIC to you homo sapiens).
A chill ran up my spine and that's when it hit me!

DOES TEMPERATURE AFFECT SOUND?

Obviously sound is affected by environment and the space it's in, but can temperature actually affect it?
I've never heard of it being 'too hot' for people to hear or 'too cold' that the sound hurts peoples ears. 
I know temperature can affect how you feel when you're hearing music but can it actually affect the music?

"Temperature is also a condition that affects the speed of sound. Heat, like sound, is a form of kinetic energy. Molecules at higher temperatures have more energy, thus they can vibrate faster. Since the molecules vibrate faster, sound waves can travel more quickly."

(Temperature and the Speed of Sound, n.d.)

Knowing the new knowledge about sound being a kinetic energy, there must be a 'perfect' temperature in which music can be played, taking into consideration the style of music and BPM. With an acoustic, slow gig you wouldn't want the temperature to be hot in which the music would speed up. 

It's quite a serious point, especially if the temperature could make or break a gig. It's just a serious as the acoustics in the room. It's funny that I've never heard anyone, ever, raise this point and showing that it can have such serious effects as to speed up the sound of the music.

So, I ask you, have you ever thought about it?


ANSWERS PLEASE!



Temperature And The Speed Of Sound (n.d.). NDT Resource Center [online]. Available at: <http://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/HighSchool/Sound/tempandspeed.htm>

[Accessed 20th October 2012]