catapult magazine

catapult magazine
 

discussion

the music industry

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grant
Nov 08 2002
05:42 am

The internet, Courtney Love, Ani Difranco and certain technological advances present challenges for a music industry that’s still structured according to a fifties and sixties model.

Labels typically act as loan companies that help artists pay for studio time, as long as it promises a return. This gives the label, which often cares only about profit, too much say in the final product. But now there are more Mobys, artists who can record anything they need to in their bedrooms or basements without needing a big budget or financial support from labels. Labels are still needed for mass-marketing, of course, but look what the marketing machine turns out these days: phonies like Alicia Keys while the real deals like Wilco get cast off.

The question is not IF the music industry has become irrelevant or WHEN it will crash and burn; the real question for Christians is how the industry should be structured now? Christians should be way ahead when it comes to reforming the industry, since Christian musicians and many Christian music listeners have been complaining about the limitations of Nashville’s CCM industry for decades now. What should an alternative to CCM and the broader music industry look like?

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mwooten
Nov 26 2002
06:05 am

Yes, the idea remains that somehow you have to side step the big 6. Better yet, create your own networks with different values. This is what we should be talking about.

I can even imagine someone going out first, before the artist tours, to prepare the way. (much like john the baptist right) to help frame the possible conversatoin and the till the soil. I just did a house concert for Bill Mallonee in Indy. It was perfect. My friend brent invited 40 friends who filled his living room. They all payed $15 which is reasonable and Bill had a room full of people who cared to listen. He played a great gig as we sipped good beer and after the show we all spoke together with Bill about the value and nature of his music. Some bought merch. (which always helps the artist) and then we went home.
All costs were covered. We payed Bill $600 and the fans (not all of which had heard of bill) enjoyed and experienced the music.

Just one side step option.

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grant
Nov 26 2002
06:14 am

Wonderful dialogue! Keep it coming. This kind of brainstorm is just what I need to revise the “new studio” business plan I’ve been working on (I’ll send it to you too, Jabird, if you want). Joel and I have been trying to formulate these kinds of ideas into a formal document that would foster a community of musical artists. The more we think about it, the more it makes sense (and what you both are saying only affirms the necessity for it).

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JabirdV
Nov 26 2002
09:58 am

Mike, Bill is a phenomenal guy to talk with. I would be interested to hear his take on all of this. I did send him a link to the website and he told me he would check it out once he got back from the UK. (I have known Bill since before the passing of Mark Heard at C-Stone). Now if I can just get him to come out to LA… By the way, do you have a copy of his book “Perishable Goods”? I would love to get my hands on a copy, they went so fast.
Grant, I would love to see what you have pout together. The issue that I see up front that will need resolving is distribution, seeing as all the primary distributors are in the back pockets of (if not owned by) the Big 6.
Let’s keep pounding at this thing and see what we can come up with!

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laurencer
Nov 26 2002
10:31 am

man, the stuff going on in this thread is fantastic! i can’t wait to see where you guys go with it.

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mwooten
Nov 26 2002
12:58 pm

Jared,
I do have a copy of the book and could probably find more. I actually book for Bill and have a good relationship with him. Bill doesn’t say much of good about the industry. Whats new though from an artist who hasn’t ‘broken in’. Sometimes I fear that Bill will be the Woody Guthrie of our generation. In 20 years people will discover Bill’s words and say, ’what an unbelievable writer." Instead, I hope he gets his due during his life.

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JabirdV
Nov 26 2002
03:17 pm

Mike,
Totally dig what you are saying about Bill. I have been following VOL since ‘93, and have always been impressed with Bill’s clarity and honesty in his lyrics. No matter how cryptic he writes, his intentions and emotions come screaming in your face.
Let me know if you happen upon another copy of the book and how much it will run me. Thanks! – Jason

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Norbert
Nov 26 2002
04:29 pm

Hey guys? Who’s Bill? Sounds like you’re keeping a secret… naughty naughty. =).
I’m just starting to learn about more independent artists, or at least those signed to minor labels. pastemusic.com is where I’ve been finding some real diamonds in the rough so to speak. Do you guys have other places I can look for folk rock and blues?
Thanks in advance

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JabirdV
Nov 27 2002
09:26 am

Look up Bill Mallonee or Vigilantes Of Love on Paste Music and download download download! I think he has two albums on there. You can also go to:

http://www.billmallonee.net

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mwooten
Dec 01 2002
11:27 am

The more I think about the nature of bringing art to others the more I think it has to involve more than simply the art and artist. Earlier I mentioned someone going out first to till the soil for the artist but I also think that it may require even more effort. We need good systems to compete with the falty ones. We need the Church to begin educating its members on the nature of art. We need venues that are as interested in the music as they are in making a profit. We need people to distribute the music for the artist. We need like minded vision from artists who avoid turf wars. Grant has mentioned unions and co-ops. I think these are wonderful ideas. We need communities where artists can live for little money and have the freedom to create How wonderful would it be to have a community where doctors, brick layers, teachers and artists live. All willing to go with less in order that the group flourrishes. Do you know how much money we could save if we simply lived together and shared? JAPUSA caught this vision years ago. In the end, we need to be willing to give up our ‘american dream’ individuality, and truly live as a community in order that the gifts and visions of the members of the group may flourish.

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joelspace
Dec 17 2002
07:48 am

This is great stuff y’all. I especially like the idea of building new networks. I know there are more groups looking to do this sort of thing. Perhaps we should send scouts around north america next summer searching out groups like ours in each city. Each city/town group would start a club/cd shop and build from there. It wouldn’t have to be much. Maybe just the basement of someone’s house.

I think what audiences are really looking for is someone they can trust to guide there listening. If people knew they could go to the CINO club in town or whatever and consistently find good, vital soulful music (and other art) they would keep coming back.