Archive | January, 2008

David Byrne writes about the opportunities for artists in the new digital environment …

[Here is one of the best explanations (with charts & graphs) for those of you who want to know more about distributing your songs, or CDs, online … including the pros and cons of being with a major label, an indie label, or just doing it yourself.

This ran in Wired magazine Dec. 12. 2007, but I just got around to posting it for you. Also, you’ll want to check out the several audio clips of interviews David did with others in the music business on this topic.]

Title of article:

David Byrne’s Survival Strategies for Emerging Artists — and Megastars

“Some see this picture (graph) as a dire trend. The fact that Radiohead debuted its latest album online and Madonna defected from Warner Bros. to Live Nation, a concert promoter, is held to signal the end of the music business as we know it.

Actually, these are just two examples of how musicians are increasingly able to work outside of the traditional label relationship. There is no one single way of doing business these days. There are, in fact, six viable models by my count. That variety is good for artists; it gives them more ways to get paid and make a living.

And it’s good for audiences, too, who will have more, and more interesting, music to listen to.

Let’s step back and get some perspective …”

For the rest of the story, click here:
http://www.wired.com/entertainment/music/magazine/16-01/ff_byrne

Enjoy!