Music and the Internet: Conclusion

   Our property project focused around music as property and the conceptual vacuum surrounding it that the Internet creates.  We decided to focus our research on comparing the public’s opinion compared to musicians’ opinions on music as property to better understand the overall climate.  By the end of the term, we planned to develop the public and musicians’ opinions on music as property on the Internet.  To do this, we decided to create a public survey and interview musicians we knew personally on their opinion on the topic and post the responses on a blog.  One of the blockages we faced was the unexpectedness of the artist’s replies.  We ended up having to email many more artists than we planned to receive a good amount of interviews.  It was also challenging to get people to do our survey.  To solve this, we posted the survey to our private Facebooks to help get more replies.

   The results of our public survey are shown in the pie charts on our blog.  These results show that people most often either use file-sharing websites moderately often or not at all, both having 22.5%, but overall the results were very split.  90% of people said they knew the difference between illegal downloading and free music. As for how people get their music: again there was a pretty even split, but the majority said they use itunes and other music providers the most, at 29.8%.  The vast majority, at 96%, believe the Internet has changed they way they get music.  As for the question: do you think downloading music illegally is wrong?  70% said no, thirty yes.  Lastly, 51% of people say they aren’t more inclined to support an artist just because they give their music out for free.

   As for the artist interviews, most artists agreed that it was easier to get their music out there because of the Internet.  One artist, Brandon from the band Amarionette said “We are able to reach well over a thousand people at the click of a mouse, and that's a powerful tool considering all the outlets that are available for promotion online.”  Surprisingly most artists believed that illegal downloading is inevitable and have begun to adapt, even to the point of supporting it because of its power to spread music.  Artist Jeff Tedtaotao said: “If someone has your stuff on these sharing sites, that means you're probably doing something right. Someone's paying attention to you - music thrives off of attention” While they didn’t agree with the practice overall, they know it is going to happen, so they’ve decided to adapt.  

   Artists mostly believed that it is now easier to make it in music now than ten years ago.  Artist Patrick Manresa said: “I think artists nowadays are expected to do more. However, the internet has exploded making it easier to reach a larger audience.”  The artist agreed that with the Internet, there is more competition.  The last question we asked artists, was what they thought the effect of the Internet was on the music industry.  The artists all had different and mostly positive answers and also mentioned they fact that it made performance more important to artists who wanted to make a living off of music.

    We may not have completely solved the problems of music as property with our research, but we definitely gained a lot interesting insight into how artist and the public are adapting to the changes the Internet brings to music.  We’ve learned that, while music is always changing and developing, it has become less of a rivalrous good than it was before the Internet.  Artists now have to focus on live performance for revenue and have begun using what seems like detrimental processes, file-sharing, to their advantage.  Philosophically, the Internet has developed a new way of categorizing music.  Because it’s become this intangible object, artists, record companies, and the public alike have to adapt.  To adapt to this change,  everyone now views music itself not as property but as a form advertising and the real focus of the music industry has shifted to performance.

Artist Interview: Project 13

1. How long have you been making music?

I've been making music in some way since I was in 4th grade. First with the saxophone then the guitar.

2. Do you find it easier to get your music out there with the introduction of the Internet? Do you think it’s more successful to post your music free on the Internet or to try to sign with a record label?

With the intro of the Internet it's become much easier to get your music out there, but with the backing that a major label offers I still think that you will be more successful then.

3. How do you feel about illegal downloading?

As a musician I would rather have someone buy my music, but at the same time the money isnt the reason I make music so I'd just be happy knowing someone wants to listen to it.

4. How do you feel about giving out free music?

I support giving out free music as much as you can. It motivates people to listen to your music and can prompt them to buy it in the future.

5. Do you think sharing music is wrong? (hulkshare, mediafire, zippy)

I think sharing music is a good thing. It just spreads music across the country and brings exposure to more artists.

6. What websites do you use?

I use mediafire.

7. Do you think it’s easier now or ten years ago to make it in the music business?

I think it's easier to get your music heard now because there are so many ways of sharing it, but it also creates more competition.

8. What do you think the Internet’s impact on the music industry is?

The Internet has really changed the music industry a lot. You can listen to bands from all over the world whenever you want and while that might now generate money, it helps people Expand their musical tastes.

Interview by: Dan Salzman

Artist Interview: Anthony Smith

credit: facebook

Anthony Smith, who makes music under the name Yonzworth, is a music producer from southern California. He has made beats for 2 years and also is interested in photography and videography.



Music
Youtube





 1. How long have you been making music?

I've been into creating music on and off for about 2 years now as a hobby in my spare time.

2.Do you find it easier to get your music out there with the introduction of the Internet? Do you think it’s more successful to post your music free on the Internet or to try to sign with a record label?

The internet is my main source to getting my music out there. Websites such as SoundCloud or even Youtube allow artists, including me, to easily upload their tracks and have people listen or download. It's defintely a lot easier to post your music free than to sign with a record label, (not that I have any experience trying to join with a label). I mainly use SoundCloud and let those locally hear out my stuff and post links via FaceBook or Twitter.

3. How do you feel about illegal downloading?

I have mixed feelings on illegal downloading. Music wise, it's good and bad. Good in the way that it allows those who want to hear that arist's music, obtain their music, listen to it anywhere, tell their friends about it, get their friends to listen, etc etc. If I love someone's music, I have to have it. The negative side to this, selling music is one way an artist gets paid. We download their hardworking albums for free, we strip that away from the artist. I've read some artists don't mind though, as long as it gets to the listeners ears, they're happy. But if you support an artist enough to do anything to download their album and tell all your friends about them, then at least support by buying their music later on.

4. How do you feel about giving out free music?

Giving out free music is where people need to start. No one is going to buy your cookies if they don't know how it tastes.. If they like it, they'll support you by buying a batch so you can make more.

5. Do you think sharing music is wrong? (hulkshare, mediafire, zippy)B
Again, I don't think sharing music is necessarily wrong. If I love artists enough to tell my friends about it, I want them to have their music too. Then tell them to buy an album.

6. What websites do you use?

I mainly use SoundCloud. I upload a lot of my tracks, and anyone who wants to listen can listen. I don't get tons of views, but over a thousand plays locally is fine with me. I know there's people who enjoy listening to my beats, hell it's flattering when they say they have me on their iPods. Not sure how they got it, but despite that I love knowing that people listen.

7. Do you think it’s easier now or ten years ago to make it in the music business?

Sure as hell a lot easier back ten years ago. I wasn't making music ten years ago, but you have so many people making music these days. Anyone with a laptop can start making tracks. Everyone has access to FL Studio, Reason, Abelton, etc etc. Industry standard programs are easily obtainable. Now what you do with those programs and songs you write makes it or breaks it. And how dedicated you are is up to you. Not saying it's probably super-easy to get signed today as their is so much competition, but hand someone a laptop, pen and paper, and a microphone, and they're one step in.

8. What do you think the Internet’s impact on the music industry is?

The Internet's impact on the world is a huge one. Especially on music. Artists can be heard across the world with some clicks on the keys. Songs can be easily sold or stolen.




Interview by: Ashley Norquist

Artist Interview: Worth

credit: facebook

Jackson Savage, stage name Worth, is a producer from Salt Lake City, Utah.  He specializes in Hip Hop and has been making beats for four years.







1. How long have you been making music?

1st grade i started playing guitar, but making beats 4 years ago.

2. Do you find it easier to get your music out there with the introduction of the Internet? Do you think it’s more successful to post your music free on the Internet or to try to sign with a record label?

Yes, and no its easy to get it out there but also very easy for it to not get noticed because the internet has so much music already on it so you have to be creative.
Hahaha, Depends really, but i would say free on the internet, labels now a days make deals that are impossible to fulfill and most artist end up getting cheated and in debt after signing to a label. More often then not signing to a label is like getting a giant loan. Depends what your trying to do really.

3. How do you feel about illegal downloading?

Umm, i can understand why some artists are pissed but in reality its hurting the industry alot more then actual artists because most artists are signed to labels which own all the rights to there songs most artists barely make pennies off selling cds anyways so for independent artists it kind of sucks but all in all it gets people listening to your music and there are tons of other ways to compensating for not making money on cds sells like merch touring etc

4. How do you feel about giving out free music?

myself am down for it i just want people to listen to my music and enjoy it..

5. Do you think sharing music is wrong? (hulkshare, mediafire, zippy)

I am all for it the more people listening to my music the better

6. What websites do you use?

Any where really! Myspace reverb nation, sound cloud, facebook, bandcamp, c baby

7. Do you think it’s easier now or ten years ago to make it in the music business?

easier for artists to get there music out there over saturation of music .. its easier for artists to be independent and not have to sign to a label i just think it changed the game yo

Interview by: Damon Steel

Artist Interview: Patrick Manresa

credit: facebook

DJ/Producer Patrick Manresa is a native Californian from the Bay Area. Attributing his first encounter with "real music" to a Tower Records listening station in 1997, Manresa embarked on sounds which he has been chasing ever since. After digging through thousands of tracks and initially following house, Manresa was exposed to trance. This advanced him to the trance side of the line while retaining influence from progressive house, techno and electro. Manresa's attention to detail and captivating energy make him a stand out. True to his style, he has a consistent high standard. Showcasing world class mixing and a meticulous track selection, "The Patrick Manresa Podcast" (available in iTunes) is rapidly drawing a following on every continent.


Website
Music



1. How long have you been making music?

Several Years.

2. Do you find it easier to get your music out there with the introduction of the Internet? Do you think it’s more successful to post your music free on the Internet or to try to sign with a record label?

Without question. Everyone is online these days, Without question working with established labels who can get you online visibility is the way to go. The music industry is very much a digital industry nowadays..
3. How do you feel about illegal downloading?

It's a shame. I'm a believer in supporting the artists you love.

4. How do you feel about giving out free music?

I personally wouldn't ever give away free music. I think it devalues the art. I believe it to be a short term gain for a long term loss. If you are making quality music, get the respect you deserve. Have it signed and distributed properly.

5. Do you think sharing music is wrong? (hulkshare, mediafire, zippy)

I don't support it. It's essentially robbing the artists...

6. What websites do you use?

I like beatport, audio jelly, trackitdown, djdownload...a few just off the top of my head, not to mention iTunes!

7. Do you think it’s easier now or ten years ago to make it in the music business?

Tough question. I think artists nowadays are expected to do more. However, the internet has exploded making it easier to reach a larger audience.

8. What do you think the Internet’s impact on the music industry is?

I think a lot of people feared the internet would kill the music industry. However, its still thriving. I think it ulitmately, the music industry having gone digital will work out just fine. It just means more touring.

Interview By: Damon Steele

Artist Interview: Andrew Landau

Andrew Landau is an eighteen year old producer from Los Angeles, California living in Eugene, Oregon.  He specializes in Electro House music.



Music





1. How long have you been making music?

9 months.

2. Do you find it easier to get your music out there with the introduction of the Internet? Do you think it’s more successful to post your music free on the Internet or to try to sign with a record label?

Mos def, Online independently.

3. How do you feel about illegal downloading?

It’s awesome.

4. How do you feel about giving out free music?

When you’re starting up it’s a good way to get your name out.

5. Do you think sharing music is wrong? (hulkshare, mediafire, zippy)

Yeah, it’s not good but it’s kind of a necessary evil because people will do it anyways.

6. What websites do you use?

Soundcloud.

7. Do you think it’s easier now or ten years ago to make it in the music business?

Easier now because of the internet(youtube stars like jbiebs) its also harder though cause theirs more people throwing music out there

8. What do you think the Internet’s impact on the music industry is?

It makes performing more important because people will have to make most of their money as an artist touring because it’s much harder to make money from just selling music

Interview by: Damon Steele

Artist Interview: Quincy Wiegert

credit: facebook

DJ/Producer Quincy Weigert has been heavily involved in EDM for over a decade. Quincy’s unique progressive selection is designed to elevate the awareness of his listeners while guiding them on an unprecedented journey. Quincy has successfully developed a blend of new age sounds that capture arenas and clubs while staying true to his melodic/progressive roots. With years of spinning under his belt, Quincy's technical ability to create an experience and tell a story show with each set he plays. To Quincy, every track should play the part of a chapter in a book and create a tale that can be appreciated by all EDM listeners. Quincy has an intense dedication to studio production and is set for releases coming 2012. Quincy Weigert maintains a vision of exclusively spinning his own original productions and remixes while resurrecting vinyl and bringing back the real art of DJing.

Website



1. How long have you been making music?

10 years.

2.  Do you find it easier to get your music out there with the introduction of the Internet? Do you think it’s more successful to post your music free on the Internet or to try to sign with a record label?

yes, record label

3. How do you feel about illegal downloading?

It’s a broad topic since you can download radio shows or podcast for free. Its good for publicity but financially damaging to the artist

4. How do you feel about giving out free music?

Don’t Like it. Free distribution creates a lot of noise in that theres no real quality assurance with all the tracks that are thrown out there.

5. Do you think sharing music is wrong? (hulkshare, mediafire, zippy)

Yeah

6. What websites do you use?

Itunes, Any non-files-haring website, legitimate vendors that are credible

7. Do you think it’s easier now or ten years ago to make it in the music business?

It depends on your definition of making it, its pretty much the same game as it was but it allows for a lot of independent artist to “make it” in a smaller way

8. What do you think the Internet’s impact on the music industry is?

Major exposure of the 1% of real musicians, it’s also a gateway and a host for a-lot of smaller less legitimate artists to kind of make a lot of useless noise with lower quality music.


Interview by: Damon Steele