most of my best mates have blogs, and they're better at it than me so go have a look
Rob Moore AKA I Have Clones - awesome guy, amazing solo artist and general funny drunk
http://ihaveclones.wordpress.com/
Ina - I still can't spell his surname, but he is the best at guitar hero I've seen, and awesome Jazz bassist. Comics here http://www.tiedyeheart.com/ and blog here http://www.tiedyeina.com/
Tim hates blogs so he doesn't have one, he's my pet drummer.
I think thats everyone with a decent blog, I do have other friends, but I'm lazy and don't like them enough
28/05/2008
27/05/2008
future music industry
so, I had to write a report on internet and music, and as I think some of it is quite good, here are some bits :)
Hell Roy if you're checking my work for plagerism, I didn't steal of me don't worry :)
7. New opportunities
Torrents
With so much money being made by torrent and direct download sites it seems very strange that the industry has yet to cash in on such methods. With revenue to maintain severs with the downloadable files, the entire back-catalogue of a label could be available to download from an official torrent site. This would generate some revenue for the label, and because it would be run legally, uploading would be encouraged and download speeds would be increased. The constant availability of the entire catalogue and guarantee that download will not stall will attract more consumers than the illegal counterparts. If each label ran such a site, the illegal sites would soon have to close as the revenue would dry up.
The same method could be used to overtake the subscription services. By offering faster downloads for a small fee, and running adverts the companies could earn much more revenue than letting illegal sites continue. Each year trying to shut down illegal sites costs record companies and associated businesses are very high, a cost which would be negated if the companies simply offered their music free in competition to the illegal sites.
While giving away music may seem detrimental to record companies’ ability to make money, the money made from advertising would be far higher than that lost from illegal download. While CD sales would probably drop with the introduction of legal free downloads, the overall situation would improve for the industry. True fans of bands would still buy CDs, just as many people still buy vinyl currently so the CD market would not die.
Digital rights management
The use of DRM has increased as internet sales have increased. Complaints are common however, with the added difficulty in distributing the song between multiple devices many customers choose to pay for copies without DRM, or to simply download. While encryption and encoding techniques are becoming more sophisticated they never defeat the ways around such protection, at the most basic level a song with DRM can be recorded with a microphone as it is played. There are far more advanced ways around such DRM but with technology as it is, those protecting music will be vastly out-numbered by those pirating it.
Sponsorship deals
Many bands are sponsored by a brand, Jaggermeister are renowned for promoting underground music, from ska-punk to hardcore punk-rock. But now Bacardi are joining in, sponsoring Groove Armada, they pay for all the costs that a record label would, recording, production, distribution and most importantly, marketing. Bacardi does not rely on the artist to sell records; instead it uses them to sell Bacardi products. This method means that album sales are not an important figure in the accounts, taking the pressure away from the artist for album sales. This may be seen as a positive, although it will mean bands are signed according to appearance and how ‘cool’ they appear, and with only one or two singles necessary for the sponsor albums could be of seriously decreased quality.
8. A possible future
It is hard to see the music industry accepting its fault. The industry is too large and too inflexible to accept their mistakes, and to change the business model. Now that bands can create enough publicity to succeed without major support more will follow this new idea. With less people working on each project CD sales will matter less, and the money earned from each concert, and sales of albums, merchandise and downloads will be split in a far fairer way than they are now. While this may seem to mean that thousands of jobs will be lost within the industry, this is not necessarily the case, with each person earning a far higher cut from each sale, less sales are needed from each band to create the same revenue, so more bands can be released. With revenue being generated by advertisers and consumers and music being shared between people with no penalty, good bands will sell themselves. Word of mouth will be the best publicity, and forums for every genre will become very popular.
Unfortunately, with the ease of uploading torrents, there will be the problem of flooding, where there is simply too much music, too much of which is not high quality to wade through to find good bands. This will bring the rise of forums, and where the industry can benefit. By gaining a reputation for suggesting good music, bloggers will be able to use advertising to earn revenue according to their high hit count. Also, record companies will become known for releasing good music, so their sites will be visited more, earning them a more profit.
The subscription services that have been predicted, paid for as part of a communications bundle seems unlikely to me, for two reasons:
First - Why pay for something you can get free?
Second – How can the telecommunications company keep up to date with music releases?
The masses will demand that their subscription service allows them to gain access to everything they can get online, quicker than they can get it online. They will never want to wait for a new album, especially if those using the free internet service don’t have to.
OMG no harvard referencing!
Hell Roy if you're checking my work for plagerism, I didn't steal of me don't worry :)
7. New opportunities
Torrents
With so much money being made by torrent and direct download sites it seems very strange that the industry has yet to cash in on such methods. With revenue to maintain severs with the downloadable files, the entire back-catalogue of a label could be available to download from an official torrent site. This would generate some revenue for the label, and because it would be run legally, uploading would be encouraged and download speeds would be increased. The constant availability of the entire catalogue and guarantee that download will not stall will attract more consumers than the illegal counterparts. If each label ran such a site, the illegal sites would soon have to close as the revenue would dry up.
The same method could be used to overtake the subscription services. By offering faster downloads for a small fee, and running adverts the companies could earn much more revenue than letting illegal sites continue. Each year trying to shut down illegal sites costs record companies and associated businesses are very high, a cost which would be negated if the companies simply offered their music free in competition to the illegal sites.
While giving away music may seem detrimental to record companies’ ability to make money, the money made from advertising would be far higher than that lost from illegal download. While CD sales would probably drop with the introduction of legal free downloads, the overall situation would improve for the industry. True fans of bands would still buy CDs, just as many people still buy vinyl currently so the CD market would not die.
Digital rights management
The use of DRM has increased as internet sales have increased. Complaints are common however, with the added difficulty in distributing the song between multiple devices many customers choose to pay for copies without DRM, or to simply download. While encryption and encoding techniques are becoming more sophisticated they never defeat the ways around such protection, at the most basic level a song with DRM can be recorded with a microphone as it is played. There are far more advanced ways around such DRM but with technology as it is, those protecting music will be vastly out-numbered by those pirating it.
Sponsorship deals
Many bands are sponsored by a brand, Jaggermeister are renowned for promoting underground music, from ska-punk to hardcore punk-rock. But now Bacardi are joining in, sponsoring Groove Armada, they pay for all the costs that a record label would, recording, production, distribution and most importantly, marketing. Bacardi does not rely on the artist to sell records; instead it uses them to sell Bacardi products. This method means that album sales are not an important figure in the accounts, taking the pressure away from the artist for album sales. This may be seen as a positive, although it will mean bands are signed according to appearance and how ‘cool’ they appear, and with only one or two singles necessary for the sponsor albums could be of seriously decreased quality.
8. A possible future
It is hard to see the music industry accepting its fault. The industry is too large and too inflexible to accept their mistakes, and to change the business model. Now that bands can create enough publicity to succeed without major support more will follow this new idea. With less people working on each project CD sales will matter less, and the money earned from each concert, and sales of albums, merchandise and downloads will be split in a far fairer way than they are now. While this may seem to mean that thousands of jobs will be lost within the industry, this is not necessarily the case, with each person earning a far higher cut from each sale, less sales are needed from each band to create the same revenue, so more bands can be released. With revenue being generated by advertisers and consumers and music being shared between people with no penalty, good bands will sell themselves. Word of mouth will be the best publicity, and forums for every genre will become very popular.
Unfortunately, with the ease of uploading torrents, there will be the problem of flooding, where there is simply too much music, too much of which is not high quality to wade through to find good bands. This will bring the rise of forums, and where the industry can benefit. By gaining a reputation for suggesting good music, bloggers will be able to use advertising to earn revenue according to their high hit count. Also, record companies will become known for releasing good music, so their sites will be visited more, earning them a more profit.
The subscription services that have been predicted, paid for as part of a communications bundle seems unlikely to me, for two reasons:
First - Why pay for something you can get free?
Second – How can the telecommunications company keep up to date with music releases?
The masses will demand that their subscription service allows them to gain access to everything they can get online, quicker than they can get it online. They will never want to wait for a new album, especially if those using the free internet service don’t have to.
OMG no harvard referencing!
26/05/2008
Slam Dunk
Slam Dunk is awesome, I saw so many bands I can't remember them all, so I'm using the flyer to help.
I'm too lazy to write today, so fuck off, and listen to:
Flood of Red
Twin Atlantic
Story Of The Year
Sonic Boom Six
The JB Conspiracy
Zebrahead
they're all on myspace so go search them.
don't bother listening too
We The Kings
Fightstar
We Are The Ocean
and whole load of other shitty pop-punk
bye-bye for now, I have cousework to write. :(
I'm too lazy to write today, so fuck off, and listen to:
Flood of Red
Twin Atlantic
Story Of The Year
Sonic Boom Six
The JB Conspiracy
Zebrahead
they're all on myspace so go search them.
don't bother listening too
We The Kings
Fightstar
We Are The Ocean
and whole load of other shitty pop-punk
bye-bye for now, I have cousework to write. :(
22/05/2008
Surface unsigned is pure evil
I'm kinda hoping to get a ride shut-down letter about this, simply so I know someone reads it... but, if you are a musician - DO NOT PAY TO PLAY!
Surface Unsigned is awful, for both you and your fans, if my band had put their own gigs on, and charged the same amount, with room hire we'd have made over £200 for the two gigs we played. Put on your own shows, do it your own way, give no-one money.
I believe in a DIY ethic, but don't let that stop you listening to me.
Surface Unsigned is awful, for both you and your fans, if my band had put their own gigs on, and charged the same amount, with room hire we'd have made over £200 for the two gigs we played. Put on your own shows, do it your own way, give no-one money.
I believe in a DIY ethic, but don't let that stop you listening to me.
21/05/2008
Birmingham Music Live!
So, I wrote my first review for Birmingham Music Live tonight, it's a review of Story Of The Year (who are very good BTW) and it should be up soon, if it's good enough that is! Go check it out at http://www.brumlive.com/ run by a nice chap called Steve Gerrard, link on the othe blog.
Also, while I'm recomending things, go look at new music strategies http://newmusicstrategies.com/ and slicethepie https://www.slicethepie.com/Signin.aspx?ReturnUrl=/Home.aspx
night x
Also, while I'm recomending things, go look at new music strategies http://newmusicstrategies.com/ and slicethepie https://www.slicethepie.com/Signin.aspx?ReturnUrl=/Home.aspx
night x
19/05/2008
I was thinking this morning about wh I have this blog. I guess it's mostly so when people type my name into google they have something decent to read, and more importantly, a way to get in contact with me (or my bands). If that is the purpose of this blog then updating it is really quite unnessesary and the content doesn't really matter. But just in case anyone out there is reading it. Hello.
Seen lots of bands this week. I seriously recomend Cancer Bats, Johnny Truant, Sonic Boom Six, The JB Conspiracy and Cobra Starship. I may be recomending more tonight after the show, I'm off to see GIAN presnts. Its only £5 and my mate needs me to buy his ticket.
This is probably the worst place I've ever been sat to type. My arms hurt. A lot. Technology Innovaton centre... but still not upgraded to IE 7 let alone gone to Vista. Sucks.
Enough rambling? ok
Seen lots of bands this week. I seriously recomend Cancer Bats, Johnny Truant, Sonic Boom Six, The JB Conspiracy and Cobra Starship. I may be recomending more tonight after the show, I'm off to see GIAN presnts. Its only £5 and my mate needs me to buy his ticket.
This is probably the worst place I've ever been sat to type. My arms hurt. A lot. Technology Innovaton centre... but still not upgraded to IE 7 let alone gone to Vista. Sucks.
Enough rambling? ok
15/05/2008
Give It A Name
So, I went off to GIAN in sheffield last weekend, and had a lot of fun. Went with my girlfriend Claire and her mate Lauren. Stayed at a friend of theirs (who happened to be my ex's es!) Ged (cheers dude)
The shows were awesome, the security was aweful so we got a free upgrade to standing and walked away with 18 tickets... but on to the bands
DAY 1
State Radio - very political punk not amazing but cool combination between Bedouin Soundclash and Anti-Flag
Envy On The Coast - absolutely awesome even if most of them wern't wearing shoes! Reminded me of Saosin and Circa Survive - highly recomended
YouMeAtSix - Irritating samey pop-punk, I've heard 1000s of times before. They want to by the new blink 182 but the have no sense of humour.
Strike Anywhere - A band I've always liked, but the singer is just too weak, both on record and live his shouty style is just weak, and preaching is boring. I still like the albums and I recomend them if you like Anti-Flag and Rise Against (but their not as good)
Anti-Flag - seen it all before, they really need to change the record (and being hypocritical)
Glassjaw - legendary band lives up to its legendary status (just) great hardcore
Billy Talent - Good and lively but the singer is a little squeaky which is upsetting, and a lack of anything going on onstage, just four guys, rocking out a bit.
30secondstoMars - Studiply perfect at doing what they do, pity what they do is so lame. Nice giant orange beachballs though.
DAY 2
Mayday Parade/All Time Low - pop-punk see above
Chiodos - pure awesome, brutal and melodic hardcore
Cobra Starship - one of favourites, it's Head Automatica disco punk, but one step more disco. Very cool, but surprisingly un popular with the girls.
Set Your Goals - are shit, I have absolutley no idea why anyone likes them, boring pop-punk with shit frontmen (yes two lead singers - both american pie extras) crap songs on album, even worse live - if you want 'party music' listen to Zebrahead, they're much better at it
Finch - sweet, I can see why most of their fans said they were shit live. They're a lot heavier, and obviously hate the 'emo' tag they got when they first came into the scene. So, less emo, more hardcore/nu metal stylings, and very good. Listen to Worms of the Universe for what they are really like.
Alkaline Trio - I love them, but they're boring, old and samey. Please guys lets put some effort in next time
Plain White Tees - see 30STM
Paramore - she's fit, the songs are catchy, everyone has fun. Nothing particually new but it's good stuff.
See you next year ;)
The shows were awesome, the security was aweful so we got a free upgrade to standing and walked away with 18 tickets... but on to the bands
DAY 1
State Radio - very political punk not amazing but cool combination between Bedouin Soundclash and Anti-Flag
Envy On The Coast - absolutely awesome even if most of them wern't wearing shoes! Reminded me of Saosin and Circa Survive - highly recomended
YouMeAtSix - Irritating samey pop-punk, I've heard 1000s of times before. They want to by the new blink 182 but the have no sense of humour.
Strike Anywhere - A band I've always liked, but the singer is just too weak, both on record and live his shouty style is just weak, and preaching is boring. I still like the albums and I recomend them if you like Anti-Flag and Rise Against (but their not as good)
Anti-Flag - seen it all before, they really need to change the record (and being hypocritical)
Glassjaw - legendary band lives up to its legendary status (just) great hardcore
Billy Talent - Good and lively but the singer is a little squeaky which is upsetting, and a lack of anything going on onstage, just four guys, rocking out a bit.
30secondstoMars - Studiply perfect at doing what they do, pity what they do is so lame. Nice giant orange beachballs though.
DAY 2
Mayday Parade/All Time Low - pop-punk see above
Chiodos - pure awesome, brutal and melodic hardcore
Cobra Starship - one of favourites, it's Head Automatica disco punk, but one step more disco. Very cool, but surprisingly un popular with the girls.
Set Your Goals - are shit, I have absolutley no idea why anyone likes them, boring pop-punk with shit frontmen (yes two lead singers - both american pie extras) crap songs on album, even worse live - if you want 'party music' listen to Zebrahead, they're much better at it
Finch - sweet, I can see why most of their fans said they were shit live. They're a lot heavier, and obviously hate the 'emo' tag they got when they first came into the scene. So, less emo, more hardcore/nu metal stylings, and very good. Listen to Worms of the Universe for what they are really like.
Alkaline Trio - I love them, but they're boring, old and samey. Please guys lets put some effort in next time
Plain White Tees - see 30STM
Paramore - she's fit, the songs are catchy, everyone has fun. Nothing particually new but it's good stuff.
See you next year ;)
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