Nature reports that, despite bloodshed and intense public rivalry, pretty much every professional rapper is connected to every other professional rapper by three degrees of separation. In fact, if you are Snoop Dogg, you are actually caught in a vortex…
Guitar Lessons via Podcast
The folks at iPlay Music have a new video podcast that teaches you how to play the guitar! If you get a shiny new video iPod in your stocking this year, this can be a great way to pick up…
Remaindered Links: December 08
Creativity on speed: Keywords: business, creativity, design
Arctic Monkeys: Not Invented Here?
There’s a term in the tech world called “not invented here syndrome” which refers to companies that refuse to get on board a new trend or idea simply because they didn’t think of it. Radio and music television in America…
Independent Musicians Help Brands Get Established
Bob Mould, Thievery Corporation, and other great folks are profiled in this WaPo profile of musicians that are making more money from licensing works for film and television. Agencies love the friction-free process of getting a deal cut without twelve…
Their “Lousy” Year Could Bring Great Things for You
In the trade rags, I see column after column about “lousy” ticket sales and “lousy” CD sales. “Lousy” is right, if you’re used to selling out arenas every night and going triple platinum in three weeks on the charts. As…
Even 50 Cent Plays House Concerts
…sure, he gets $500,000 for them… Track these topics:
How audiences REALLY use your music.
If you’re doing something really special with your songs, your fans might be using them to get dates. Now get writing, Cyrano… Track these topics:
Running your record label like a bakery…
SvN explores Ian MacKaye’s concept of running a record label like a bakery — focus on the love of a good product and a steady stream of happy customers. (In the comments, folks also chat about Fugazi’s stern stage announcements…)…
What we learned about music fans last week.
Don’t piss off the Deadheads.
Baby Steps on Podcast Music Licensing
Britain’s Association for Independent Music is launching a less expensive mechanical license arrangement for “bedroom” podcasters that opens up access to a small number of current tracks. The biggest problem for podcasters that want to play music is the licensing…
Taye Diggs Seems Sad
Was he in a particularly dark mood when they asked him to make this iTunes Celebrity Playlist?