Future Of Music

I heard this song again and had to post about it one more time.

This is a blast from the past (2006) written and performed by MC Lars and inspired by the “Future of Music” book. It is interesting that the point of view represented in the song seems almost like a mainstream idea at this point. Not to say that the financial side of things is working yet, but a lot has happened in the past two years. The future is becoming clearer.

Download this Song - MC Lars

It’s 2006, the consumer’s still pissed
Won’t take it anymore so I’m writing a list
Don’t try to resist this paradigm shift
The music revolution cannot be dismissed
$18.98 Iggy Pop CD?
What if I can get it from my sister for free?
It’s all about marketing Clive Davis, see?
If fans buy the shirt then they get the mp3
Music was a product now it is a service
Major record labels why are you trying to hurt us?
Epic’s up in my face like, “Don’t steal our songs Lars,”
While Sony sells the burners that are burning CD-R’s
So Warner, EMI, hear me clearly
Universal Music, update your circuitry
They sue little kids downloading hit songs
They think that makes sense
When they know that it’s wrong!
CHORUS
Hey Mr. Record Man
The joke’s on you
Running your label
Like it was 1992
Hey Mr. Record Man,
Your system can’t compete
It’s the New Artist Model
File transfer complete
Download this song!
Download this song!
Download this song!
I know I’m rhyming fast, but the message is clear
You don’t need a million dollars to launch a career
If your style is unique and you practice what you preach
Minor Threat and Jello both have things to teach!
I’ve got G5 production, concept videos
Touring with a laptop, rocking packed shows
The old-school major deal? It makes no sense
Indentured servitude, the costs are too immense!
Their finger’s in the dam but the crack keeps on growing
Can’t sell bottled water when it’s freely flowing
Record sales slipping, down 8 percent
Increased download sales, you can’t prevent
Satellite radio and video games
Changed the terrain, it will never be same
Did you know in ten years labels won’t exist?
Goodbye DVD’s, and compact disks!
REPEAT CHORUS
You know, we just wanted a level playing field.
You’ve overcharged us for music for years, and now we’re
Just trying to find a fair balance. I hate to say it, but…
Welcome to the future.
REPEAT CHORUS

Here is what I wrote in ‘06.

Check out Lars site.

“David Kusek has an amazing grasp of where today’s music business resides, where its been and where its going. He has a unique ability with factual analysis to cut through the hype and buzz and  give us all a clear picture of what is actually taking place in today’s environment.”
- Terry McBride, CEO Nettwerk Productions

"The billions of songs downloaded from the Web monthly has shown
that the digital music revolution is well underway. The Future of Music
shows us where this is all headed and how music fans and artists are
going to benefit from the new paradigms and new business models that
are emerging."

-Ted Cohen, Senior Vice President, Digital Development & Distribution, EMI Music

"Some may find this book controversial while others will consider it
prophesy. Kusek and Leonhard have managed to tap into the problems-and
possibly the solutions-of an industry at the crossroads. For those of
us who left the record business to go into the music business, video
games are the new rock ‘n’ roll. But no matter where this revolution
begins or ends, the industry must learn to respect and react to its
consumers. This book contains valuable insights for us all."

-Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music, Electronic Arts

I know of no other text that as beautifully and concisely presents
the fundamental challenge that music now faces. This book is essential
for anyone who wants to understand what is at stake in this debate."

-Lawrence Lessig, Professor of Law, Stanford University and founder of Creative Commons.

"Amid all the shouting and confusion, along comes The Future of
Music, which in a calm and clear voice explains the essential issues
roiling the music business today. Most importantly, this is written
directly for musicians and their fans, rather than business people in
the music industry. If you want to know what you’re getting into as you
develop your music career, and where music will be coming from in the
future, you have to read this book."

-Gary Burton, Grammy-winning vibraphonist

"The Future of Music clearly and succinctly explains what will
happen to the way we consume music. Anyone who is planning to listen to
music from shiny pieces of plastic in the future will be in for a big
shock."

-Dave Goldberg, SVP and GM, Music, Yahoo!

"The Future of Music offers an enticing and provocative vision for
the future of an industry in dire need of reinvention. For newcomers
and industry veterans alike, Kusek and Leonhard paint a picture of
tomorrow’s music business that is at once dynamic, challenging, ever
changing, and unlimited in its potential. What else would we wish the
future to be?"

-Eric Beall, VP, Sony/ATV Music

"Kusek and Leonhard lay out critical visions of the past, present,
and future. A must-read for music and media culture futurists."

-Mike Dreese, CEO, Newbury Comics

"As a veteran of the wars between the mighty music publishing
conglomerates and those rare individuals who still cherish intellectual
property rights, I read The Future of Music with great interest. Kusek
and Leonhard have done an engaging job of presenting some imaginative
yet realistic alternatives for an ever-changing industry. Deep down I
hope they are wrong, but I doubt it."

-Steve Karmen, composer of "I Love New York," author of Who Killed the Jingle?

"In The Future of Music, Kusek and Leonhard take their place among
the visionaries of this fascinating industry. In this thought-provoking
and informative book, they take the reader on a journey to the rich
future that music and technology may bring us if we heed their warnings
about wise choices that must be made today."

-Joel Fisch, Senior Investment Manager, Intel Capital

"The Future of Music is now and the authors have clearly seen it.
This comprehensive and controversial commentary is a must-read for
every serious music industry professional."

-Chris Stone: Founder, Record Plant Recording Studios; Associate Professor, Music Industry & Recording Arts, USC

"A must-read for musicians planning to survive the next five years."

-Mark Featherstone-Witty, CEO, The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts

Read more quotes posted on Amazon

Music Like Water…Reigning Down

The Future of Music: Manifesto for the Digital Music Revolution

Table of Contents

1. Music Like Water
2. Our Top-10 Truths of the Music Business
3. Futurizing some Popular Music Industry Myths
4. The Future of Music Marketing and Promotion
5. The Future of Music Distribution and Acquisition
6. The Digital Kids and the Changing Marketplace
7. A New Music Economy
8. How Technology Will Rewire the Music Business
9. Megatrends that Will Impact the Future of Music
10. Onto the Future

The record industry as we know it is dying. But the music industry is healthier and more vibrant than ever with limitless possibilities for change and growth due to the Internet and the digitization of music. The Future of Music will show you cool new ways to find music and connect with your favorite artists. Discover the top-10 truths about the music business of the future and how you can benefit from the explosion in digital music, today and tomorrow.

From free music and mp3 music downloads on Kazaa to legal music downloads from iTunes, Napster and Rhapsody to other forms of free music online, The Future of Music charts a music industry destined to embrace digital music, or so it seems. What will become of the music business, the music store, the independent and major record label, artists, writers, publishers, managers and others in the age of free music downloads and the ubiquitous mp3 file? Is there a better way for the industry to proceed?

The Future of Music punches gaping holes through the foundation of a record industry that refuses to adapt. If you love music, have discovered digital music and download or rip MP3 files on your computer, or download ring tones to your cell phone - then this book is for you.

This is a book about music and the music business in the twenty-first century. Imagine a world where music flows all around us, like water, or like electricity, and where access to music becomes a kind of "utility." Not for free, per se, but certainly for what feels like free.

In this world, we share, contribute, collaborate, and trade music amid a constant flow of new songs that suit our tastes and preferences, without any palpable constraints or limitations. Music is ubiquitous and served up in easy, friendly formats. Like water, it is simply present just about everywhere, anytime.

Artists, writers, composers, and producers all prosper, both creatively and financially. The music industry is redefined from A to Z, as fairer, bigger, and better. Fans, artists, and all kinds of music communities drive the business, rather than being driven by corporate powers.

Synopsis

Ever since the invention of electricity, music and technology have worked hand-in-hand, and technology continues to catapult music to unprecedented heights. Today, because of the Internet and other digital networks, and despite all the legal wrangling, music is bigger than ever before. Within ten to fifteen years, the "Music Like Water" business model that we will outline in this book will make the industry two or three times larger than it is today.

Right now, the music industry is viewed as being in great turmoil. Technology has brought powerful and disruptive changes to the ruling incumbents. The best-selling CD in the U.S. is a blank, recordable one. Profits at the big record labels have dwindled and the markets for recorded music have virtually collapsed in many other parts of the world.

Will record companies go the way of horse-drawn carts? How will music companies make money in the future? Who will buy that is, pay for music, for how much, and on what terms? How do music fans feel about these developments, and how will the artists deal with this? How is it all going to shake out? Is the music industry just the first of the so-called "creative industries" to be sold out for free via the digital networks, or will everyone be better off in a world of ubiquitous media? Whose views will prove to be more correct: the recording industry’s legal sharks or burn-crazy downloading teenagers?

This book will examine the issues important to the future of music. We will uncover opportunities, plunge into challenges, serve up wildcards, and revel in utopia. We will move from mere facts through dazzling stories to far-out visions and fantasies. Our views, along with those of other artists, writers, and industry insiders, attempt to give some insight into what is really happening, and what it will mean for the people who love music and for the people who make music.

We see ourselves not as predicting the future by any scientific means, but as providing inspiration, in order to jumpstart your imagination and get you juiced up about the future of music. A brave new world is waiting for those who can handle it– a world that very likely holds fantastic business opportunities for creative thinkers. Enjoy!

Discover

- The real reasons that the record business is in such trouble today
- Legitimate alternatives to downloading music from pirate music services
- Cool ways to find new music and connect with your favorite artists
- How kids are changing the face of music marketing
- How the record industry gets into your head to make you buy music
- How video games have more influence in music than radio stations
- How you can benefit from the explosion in digital music
- The Top-10 Truths about the music industry that you may not know about
- What music has to learn from cable television
- How technology will completely rewire the music business

——–

- The best-selling CD of 2004 is blank and recordable.
- Blink 182s best-selling single of all-time was launched on EAs Madden 2004 video game.
- File-sharing can be the savior of the music industry.
- The artists are the brands, and entertainment is the main attraction.
- Radio is no longer the primary way that people discover new music.
- The record business is not the music business.

AUDIENCE

- 200 Million file sharing downloaders
- 10 Million iPod owners
- 20 Million ring tone fans
- 3 Million artists and songwriters
- Independent music labels and publishers
- Music business professionals
- Music technology experts
- Electronic music fans and musicians
- Online radio stations and DJs
- Colleges and universities

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