Today RA points out an article titled "How The Music Industry Is Killing Music And Blaming The Fans". Some music journalist complaining about musicians "having to pay the price" in the new business model that's shaped by internet technology. This guy warns us that the greed of the music industry "is causing substantial damage to the artistic process" and "even culture itself".Touring is exhausting, updating a website, twitter and facebook is exhausting and even licensing music to TV, film and commercials doesn't pay the bills: "So with music itself often available for free, the musician is reduced to little more than a merchandise broker. Records become just an advert and, consequently, either take longer to be written and recorded, or are otherwise made available without the attention and care that was once devoted to the process."
What is the guy who wrote this article really complaining about? Is he defending culture? That sounds ridiculous. My guess is that he's in denial about the real reason why he got into the music business in the first place, probably fame, sex, booze and/or money.
Musicians have more possibilities than ever to express themselves nowadays, using new technology. If you have something to say you can say it. Just don't expect to live the life of a seventies rock star. If that's a depressing thought, why not try your luck as a banker.
If you want to read something a bit more stimulating about the state of the music business and the effect on 'the artistic process' i'd recommend Everything popular is wrong: Making it in electronic music, despite democratization.
