From: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org (ecto-digest) To: ecto-digest@smoe.org Subject: ecto-digest V13 #355 Reply-To: ecto@smoe.org Sender: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-ecto-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk ecto-digest Tuesday, January 1 2008 Volume 13 : Number 355 To unsubscribe: e-mail ecto-digest-request@smoe.org and put the word unsubscribe in the message body. Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: Fwd: Re: The RIAA Strikes Again [meredith ] The RIAA and Berklee music blog [birdie ] Re: a happy end [Doug ] Re: The RIAA and Berklee music blog [andrew fries Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: The RIAA Strikes Again Hi, Carolyn Andre wrote: > Tim's question ended up just with me. Interesting question. As far as I understand, RIAA represents record companies distributing the labels as listed on their site: > http://www.riaa.com/aboutus.php?content_selector=aboutus_members The quick-n-dirty rule of thumb is, if it's DIY/indie, chances are you're safe from the RIAA. Buying CDs direct from the artist (or via CD Baby) is the way to go. - -- =============================================== Meredith Tarr New Haven, CT USA mailto:meth@smoe.org http://www.smoe.org/meth =============================================== hear at the HOMe House Concert Series http://hom.smoe.org =============================================== ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2007 23:39:42 -0800 From: birdie Subject: The RIAA and Berklee music blog www.berkleemusicblogs.com Funny, when you read things about how music sales are down 50% from last year etc etc - they mean - RIAA and/or the major labels....and it was a crappy year for them. Artists are jumping and getting dumped off labels in record numbers....and, going indie. What no one is reporting is how the indies are doing!! Is CD Baby doing better than ever??? Were their profits up? anyway, I was reading the RIAA stuff here and then, I switched to the berklee music blogs and you'll see what I mean...you have to keep two ears tuned - one that picks up RIAA biz stuff and the other that is keyed into everything else....and that is a BIG everything else... btw, I am sure a few of you on the list would dig the berklee music blogs so , i left the url at the top of the page.. and here's a bit of one.... cheers birdie Happy New Year! <> Dec 28 Posted by Eric Beall Hope everyone had a great holiday! While most music weasels remain sequestered away on holiday, trying to shield themselves from the year-end numbers or the Bahamas sunshine, it might be an apt time for a year-end wrap-up, and some thoughts for the new year. Herebs a start: Letbs officially declare the Music Business of 2007 a Disaster Area. Therebs no way to put a positive spin on this one. Major record label profits are down by as much as 50% from last year, which itself was not exactly a Golden Age. The biggest tours of the year were by artists that in better times would be considered oldies acts. Among the few new artists emerging this yearbDaughtry, Colbie Caillat, the Plain White Tbsbit would be hard to find anyone breaking much new ground. Even among music fans, there seemed to be more interest in new marketing strategies like the free Radiohead release or the Prince gift with newspaper purchase scheme, than in any new musical trend. You could call it a time of challenges. You could call it a mess. Letbs just call it over. Onward to 2008b& So what can the industry do in the new year to avoid a repeat of last yearbs highlight reel? What has to change? Who has to change? And how do we find the solutions to the problems that are draining both the profits and the fun from our industry? My suggestion: Start with the little stuff. No one is going to solve the dilemma of the 99 cent download or the waning public interest in new music overnight. Certainly, no one is going to do it alone. So in the meantime, here are a couple of suggestions to the musical communitybrecord label executives, music publishers, artists, writers, managers and producers b that we can all undertake on our own. These wonbt solve the problem. But they might create an environment in which all of us can do a better job, make better use of our time, and hopefully bring the talents that have gotten us this far to bear on the challenges now staring us in the face. THE MUSIC WEASELbS NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS: 1. Stop the bleeding. However the music business comes back, itbs unlikely to do it in a way that justifies the midtown skyscraper office buildings, private planes, company dining room, and lunch at Mr. Chow lifestyle that the record business seems to feel is part of the cost of doing business. The sooner we cut back expenses, the sooner we can all re-imagine a way to make this industry profitable. The major labels are like a couple of drunks lingering in the empty ballroom on New Years Day. The partybs over guys. It was fun. But now itbs time to go to work. 2. Stop stalling. Imagine a year where we all quit wasting each otherbs time. Where phone calls were returned the first time. Where people actually said what they thought. Where the artist turned up at the session on-time and ready to work, and the producer didnbt triple-book, and the songwriters actually showed up at their writing session. Where showcases started on time, rather than keeping the whole industry milling around the bar for an hour. Time is running out my friends, because webre wasting all of it! 3. Start innovating. This year, letbs figure out what we would normally doband do something else instead. If webve got a hit single, letbs not make a perfunctory and over-priced album. Letbs try another single. Or an EP. If we find a hot new songwriter with potential, letbs do a single song agreement, rather than an onerous and expensive three-term co-publishing deal. Letbs try a few projects on spec, or use some street-team marketing techniques, or play a venue that hasnbt had music in the past, or figure out ways to tie into electronic games, or theater productions, or books, or sports events. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. 4. Have fun. Sure, itbs a job. But itbs a job that is hardly necessary for the preservation of life as we know it. Itbs a job that most of our parents told us not to take. Itbs a job that we chose because we wanted it, so letbs at least have some fun before they shutter the doors and we all go to work for Steve Jobs. Enough of the corporate back-biting, and bthe record label ruined my lifeb whining, and the anti-technology bickering, and the endless negotiating over contractual points that will be forgotten the minute the deal is signed. Letbs make some music and have some fun. Itbs worked before. All the best for the new year. See you in 2008! meredith wrote: > Hi, > > Carolyn Andre wrote: > >> Tim's question ended up just with me. Interesting question. As far >> as I understand, RIAA represents record companies distributing the >> labels as listed on their site: >> http://www.riaa.com/aboutus.php?content_selector=aboutus_members > > > The quick-n-dirty rule of thumb is, if it's DIY/indie, chances are > you're safe from the RIAA. > > Buying CDs direct from the artist (or via CD Baby) is the way to go. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:19:07 -0600 From: Doug Subject: Re: a happy end Indeed...Rhodesongs are what sold me on Happy. - --Doug On 12/30/07, Sharon Nichols wrote: > Leonora... try "Rhodesongs" or "The Keep". You absolutely cannot go > wrong there! Sharon ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 01 Jan 2008 08:10:15 +1100 From: andrew fries Subject: Re: The RIAA and Berklee music blog birdie wrote: > www.berkleemusicblogs.com > > > Funny, when you read things about how music sales are down 50% from > last year etc etc - they mean - RIAA and/or the major labels....and > it was a crappy year for them. Artists are jumping and getting > dumped off labels in record numbers....and, going indie. What no one > is reporting is how the indies are doing!! Is CD Baby doing better > than ever??? Were their profits up? anyway, I was reading the RIAA > stuff here and then, I switched to the berklee music blogs and > you'll see what I mean...you have to keep two ears tuned - one that > picks up RIAA biz stuff and the other that is keyed into everything > else....and that is a BIG everything else... btw, I am sure a few of > you on the list would dig the berklee music blogs so , i left the > url at the top of the page.. I'm delighted major labels had a crappy year and I hope their 2008 is worse still. I hope more artists go independent and that more people turn away from the rubbish produced by the majors and sold with strings attached. I have said all along that regarding issues like copy protection we don't need to argue, plead or reason with them - all we have to do is vote with out wallet. Some people said some sort of copy protection is inevitable and 'they' will push it through no matter what we do, and I never understood how this should come to be when it's WE, the consumers, who hold ALL the cards in this deal! We don't have to buy what they are pushing, while they have to make sales to survive. It's as simple as that. So good work everyone, keep it up! I do as I preach... I have not been posting much lately, mainly because I have not been buying any new music. Partially because my interest in music has definitely waned, and partially because looking for truly independent releases can be difficult. By now I simply will not buy anything unless I am positive it is released independently and since sometimes it is hard to be really sure I probably miss out on some music I could buy, and some good artists miss out on my business. I used to buy close to hundred CDs a year at one time, but in 2007 I bought less than 5 CDs. At least some of the blame for this lies with the music industry - they managed to turn me from supporter into an enemy and by now nothing they can do can change my opinion that they are the cancer that needs to be destroyed. I'm sorry but that blog by Eric Beall you quoted sounded like RIAA flunky. So his solution is to get artists to turn up to sessions on time? Well, maybe it would help too, but I would offer some more suggestions: 5. Stop stealing from the artists you're supposed to represent. 6. Stop pissing off the very people who are buying your product. 7. Stop pushing to limit consumer's rights. You might succeed but it will hurt you more than benefit you in the long run - as you're starting to find out. 8. Start thinking long term rather than chasing the immediate profit. 9,10,11,12 etc... I have the mantra for you that you should emblazon on your stationery, your posters, your walls and indeed your foreheads. Let it sink into your mind and heart and guide you in every action you take: THERE ARE THREE SIDES INVOLVED IN THIS DEAL: THE ARTISTS, THE PUBLIC AND YOU. YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN BE REPLACED. ................. Happy New Year everybody, unless you're connected to RIAA, in which case have a crappy year and be assured I'll continue to do everything in my power to make sure that you do. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:49:28 -0600 From: Timothy Jones-Yelvington Subject: Re: The RIAA and Berklee music blog The impression I've gotten from the very independent artists I've talked to (ie Emily Bezar) is that the potential that the gradual tanking of the major labels has for independent artists is still mostly just that -- potential. Hasn't really manifested in sales high enough to make their work self-sustaining (although I too would love to know how Cdbaby's sales compare to major labels). But I definitely agree that we need to keep in mind that there's another story that isn't being told. I also think that those of us who value complex and commercially unviable music need to be participating in this process of reevaluting how music is funded and resourced and disseminated and help create new and alternative support structures (without mucking around in the artist's artistic process or expecting additional services, ie artistshare. That model is fine if it works for an artist, but I don't think all independent artists should be expected to become "service providers.") to make our favorite artist's work something they can afford to continue creating. ~tim On 12/31/07 1:39 AM, "birdie" wrote: > www.berkleemusicblogs.com > > > Funny, when you read things about how music sales are down 50% from > last year etc etc - they mean - RIAA and/or the major labels....and > it was a crappy year for them. Artists are jumping and getting > dumped off labels in record numbers....and, going indie. What no one > is reporting is how the indies are doing!! Is CD Baby doing better > than ever??? Were their profits up? anyway, I was reading the RIAA > stuff here and then, I switched to the berklee music blogs and > you'll see what I mean...you have to keep two ears tuned - one that > picks up RIAA biz stuff and the other that is keyed into everything > else....and that is a BIG everything else... btw, I am sure a few of > you on the list would dig the berklee music blogs so , i left the > url at the top of the page.. and here's a bit of one.... cheers > birdie > > > Happy New Year! > > <> > Dec 28 > Posted by Eric Beall > > Hope everyone had a great holiday! While most music weasels remain > sequestered away on holiday, trying to shield themselves from the > year-end numbers or the Bahamas sunshine, it might be an apt time for a > year-end wrap-up, and some thoughts for the new year. Herebs a start: > > Letbs officially declare the Music Business of 2007 a Disaster Area. > Therebs no way to put a positive spin on this one. Major record label > profits are down by as much as 50% from last year, which itself was not > exactly a Golden Age. The biggest tours of the year were by artists that > in better times would be considered oldies acts. Among the few new > artists emerging this yearbDaughtry, Colbie Caillat, the Plain White > Tbsbit would be hard to find anyone breaking much new ground. Even among > music fans, there seemed to be more interest in new marketing strategies > like the free Radiohead release or the Prince gift with newspaper > purchase scheme, than in any new musical trend. You could call it a time > of challenges. You could call it a mess. Letbs just call it over. Onward > to 2008b& > > So what can the industry do in the new year to avoid a repeat of last > yearbs highlight reel? What has to change? Who has to change? And how do > we find the solutions to the problems that are draining both the profits > and the fun from our industry? My suggestion: > > Start with the little stuff. No one is going to solve the dilemma of the > 99 cent download or the waning public interest in new music overnight. > Certainly, no one is going to do it alone. So in the meantime, here are > a couple of suggestions to the musical communitybrecord label > executives, music publishers, artists, writers, managers and producers b > that we can all undertake on our own. These wonbt solve the problem. But > they might create an environment in which all of us can do a better job, > make better use of our time, and hopefully bring the talents that have > gotten us this far to bear on the challenges now staring us in the face. > THE MUSIC WEASELbS NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS: > > 1. Stop the bleeding. > However the music business comes back, itbs unlikely to do it in a way > that justifies the midtown skyscraper office buildings, private planes, > company dining room, and lunch at Mr. Chow lifestyle that the record > business seems to feel is part of the cost of doing business. The sooner > we cut back expenses, the sooner we can all re-imagine a way to make > this industry profitable. The major labels are like a couple of drunks > lingering in the empty ballroom on New Years Day. The partybs over guys. > It was fun. But now itbs time to go to work. > > 2. Stop stalling. > Imagine a year where we all quit wasting each otherbs time. Where phone > calls were returned the first time. Where people actually said what they > thought. Where the artist turned up at the session on-time and ready to > work, and the producer didnbt triple-book, and the songwriters actually > showed up at their writing session. > Where showcases started on time, rather than keeping the whole industry > milling around the bar for an hour. Time is running out my friends, > because webre wasting all of it! > > 3. Start innovating. > This year, letbs figure out what we would normally doband do something > else instead. If webve got a hit single, letbs not make a perfunctory > and over-priced album. Letbs try another single. Or an EP. If we find a > hot new songwriter with potential, letbs do a single song agreement, > rather than an onerous and expensive three-term co-publishing deal. > Letbs try a few projects on spec, or use some street-team marketing > techniques, or play a venue that hasnbt had music in the past, or figure > out ways to tie into electronic games, or theater productions, or books, > or sports events. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing > over and over and expecting a different result. > > 4. Have fun. > Sure, itbs a job. But itbs a job that is hardly necessary for the > preservation of life as we know it. Itbs a job that most of our parents > told us not to take. Itbs a job that we chose because we wanted it, so > letbs at least have some fun before they shutter the doors and we all go > to work for Steve Jobs. Enough of the corporate back-biting, and bthe > record label ruined my lifeb whining, and the anti-technology bickering, > and the endless negotiating over contractual points that will be > forgotten the minute the deal is signed. Letbs make some music and have > some fun. Itbs worked before. > > All the best for the new year. See you in 2008! > > > > > meredith wrote: > >> Hi, >> >> Carolyn Andre wrote: >> >>> Tim's question ended up just with me. Interesting question. As far >>> as I understand, RIAA represents record companies distributing the >>> labels as listed on their site: >>> http://www.riaa.com/aboutus.php?content_selector=aboutus_members >> >> >> The quick-n-dirty rule of thumb is, if it's DIY/indie, chances are >> you're safe from the RIAA. >> >> Buying CDs direct from the artist (or via CD Baby) is the way to go. ------------------------------ End of ecto-digest V13 #355 ***************************