http://blogs.sxsw.com/idiotsunite/2007/02/26/empowerment-part-ii/ blogs.sxsw.com/idiotsunite Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:45:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.5 http://blogs.sxsw.com/idiotsunite/2007/02/26/empowerment-part-ii/#comment-8 Rod Tue, 27 Feb 2007 02:09:54 +0000 http://blogs.sxsw.com/idiotsunite/2007/02/26/empowerment-part-ii/#comment-8 I have to say I am in full agreement with most of the views expressed so far. Undoubtedly major changes in thinking is needed in the music industry and has been needed for a very long time.Only now we have major labels going into panic mode because they have not got to grips witht the internet revolution. Panic in itself is no use whatsoever nor is resistance to change! In order to have a vibrant business you must be able to think in an innovative way. This applies equally to musicians themselves as it does to other partners in the business. Some have been able to make the most of new opportunities and have grabbed the chance to promoter themselves. A considerable number though are stuck in the traditional mindset of how things have been done and find it very hard to grasp what to do otherwise? Artists by nature are not necessarily the best at being business minded and thats why they need to rely on others to work with them who can provide the required skills into the partnership. A particular concern of mine is that with all the uncertainty going on at the moment a lot of bands are struggling to make an impact because they dont have the correct guidance. Also i have a suspicion that labels themselves are holding back on working with new talent because they dont know what is going to happen next or indeed if they will survive. To me, this means a negative knock on effect! My experience of attempting to help one such band (a Scots Indie band caled afterchristmas) has been one of seeing a fair level of initial interest being shown by a&r but as yet not even the slightest sign of something concrete happening which would allow them to develop their dream. This seems to be pretty much the case with a few decent bands I have come in contact with. It leads me to conclude that it is therefore harder for some to make that initial breakthrough than it has been in the past. If i am correct in that assumption then we may lose out ultimately on new talent emerging. Beyond a shadow of a doubt more idiots are required to lead the way as change is required and it is a change that needs to be driven from genuine love of music and not from fast bucks. I have to say I am in full agreement with most of the views expressed so far.
Undoubtedly major changes in thinking is needed in the music industry and has been needed for a very long time.Only now we have major labels going into panic mode because they have not got to grips witht the internet revolution. Panic in itself is no use whatsoever nor is resistance to change! In order to have a vibrant business you must be able to think in an innovative way.
This applies equally to musicians themselves as it does to other partners in the business.
Some have been able to make the most of new opportunities and have grabbed the chance to promoter themselves. A considerable number though are stuck in the traditional mindset of how things have been done and find it very hard to grasp what to do otherwise? Artists by nature are not necessarily the best at being business minded and thats why they need to rely on others to work with them who can provide the required skills into the partnership.
A particular concern of mine is that with all the uncertainty going on at the moment a lot of bands are struggling to make an impact because they dont have the correct guidance.
Also i have a suspicion that labels themselves are holding back on working with new talent because they dont know what is going to happen next or indeed if they will survive.
To me, this means a negative knock on effect!
My experience of attempting to help one such band (a Scots Indie band caled afterchristmas) has been one of seeing a fair level of initial interest being shown by a&r but as yet not even the slightest sign of something concrete happening which would allow them to develop their dream.
This seems to be pretty much the case with a few decent bands I have come in contact with.
It leads me to conclude that it is therefore harder for some to make that initial breakthrough than it has been in the past. If i am correct in that assumption then we may lose out ultimately on new talent emerging.
Beyond a shadow of a doubt more idiots are required to lead the way as change is required and it is a change that needs to be driven from genuine love of music and not from fast bucks.

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