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

Survey Results

Artist Interview: Jeff Tedtaotao, Drummer

Credit: facebook

Jeff Tedtaotao is a drummer from southern California.  Jeff has been making music for over seven years.  He has most recently toured with the band Forever Came Calling, but now is currently taking a break from music and working on an education.






1. How long have you been making music?


I've been a drummer for about 7 years. Will be 8 years next month. I actually started digging into dj recently. Been into this for about month.


2. 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?


Honestly, with music, you have to be DIY (do it yourself) first. To grasp a hold of the feeling of putting yourself out there. Doing something as rash as sign right away is not smart. Do the work first.


3. How do you feel about illegal downloading?


Honestly, everyone does it. It's common. Trying to stop it would be pointless. That's less publicity, in a sense.


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


I'm okay with it. Publicity, that's what music needs. For it to get out. 


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


It isn't. It's an inevitability. 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. Music won't go anywhere if people don't care.


6. What websites do you use?


Rather not say lol.


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


Honestly, it's hard to judge. More so, our generation intertwines music with fashion harshly. Everyone in a sense falls victim. You can have a kid that gets his music illegally, but full show support for seeing them in concert and picking up their merch. Support is support no matter how you look at it. Some politics are just different back then than it is now. People are concerned with band shirts, back in the day it was bragging rights to have their CD. Some people still collect vinyl, even bands in present time push vinyl and even tape cassettes. A time frame really doesn't set the stone for making it and breaking it. Mainly the artist's determination. 


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


I personally think it has an amazing impact really. There are so many negative depictions, especially with the recent shut down of megaupload and even jailing the guy for 50 years. Wether the internet kills the "profit" of an artist, they should be grateful people are paying attention and people do bother to care. If successful artists have problems with their music being shared, that's probably a moral issue. Artists shouldn't see money as the issue, mainly there self worth. Personally, if I knew my music was being shared illegally, I would be flattered. People buy my music AND go out of their way to share it rapidly. I know it's not a 110% great feeling, but the internet is getting everyone famous. Obviously, the internet is the tool to find about unknown artists. Then their music spreads. You're doing your part for someone that supports music.




Interview by: Ashley Norquist

How do you buy music?

Dave Grohl on File-sharing Music

Artist Interview: Amarionette

image courtesy of: facebook

Like most bands that have weathered through multiple years together Amarionette has gone through a couple of line-up changes. The core of the band consist of Quin White (Lead Vocals) and Paul Lancaster (Guitar/backing vocals) who have both been with the band since it's inception in 2007. Between Quin's very distinct vocal style and Paul's ambient guitar chords and intricate song writing the band crafted the sound of early Amarionette and released the bands first EP "Goodbye Explosions" in 2008. Between the EP and playing frequently the band made quite a name for themselves leaving fans eagerly awaiting new material and more shows. In 2010 Amarionette went through a major line-up change with the addition of Ron Wells (Bass), Nick Raya (Guitar) and Justin Brooklyn (Drums). The regroup has brought a surge of new life and creativity to the band and they are picking things up right where they left off.

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1. How long have you been making music?


Individually, I believe some of us have been at it for different times. Amarionette originally formed with a nearly completely different lineup (Quin is the only original member of that lineup still in the band) in 2008. The current lineup has been around for about a year, with myself (Brandon) recently joining last June to replace Paul (who was the only other original member besides Quin until that point.) So the Amarionette name has been around for a while now, just with different incarnations.


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?


It is absolutely easier to promote music over the internet. 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 (web forums, facebook, blogs, twitter, etc.). That doesn't go to say that all promotion should be on the internet. Personal time with fans and potential is vital, if not more important, as it shows the fan you care about what they think and appreciate the fact that they are allowing you to continue the path you want with their support. I find grassroots promotion does reach less people in sheer volume compared to the internet, but the value of getting personal time with the band reinforces a good image in the fans' minds and those people are also more hyped to tell their friends about the band, so there's merit in both approaches.


Second part of this question. It depends on what you define as success. If you seek validation and validation only, then offering a free album is a great way to do that and to share your music as well as start getting your name out there. There are plenty of people who get a great level of contentment from simply sharing their music with others, regardless of the monetary gain. However, if you wish to make a career out of this, that does mean at some point you are going to want to get in contact with labels. These organizations have more promotion power than any of us individually, and even if most of our work is done at home, you are going to want to get a disc available on as many online outlets and in as many stores as possible, and the minimum of doing that would be a distribution deal. We are looking to get attention at the national stage, so something like this would be critical for us, that we are in contact with the right labels who are going to help us, but also respect the integrity of our music to a degree. It does start to get a bit sticky there, since we are all new at approaching the industry part of being in this band, but we are learning as we go with this.


3. How do you feel about illegal downloading?


Illegal downloading is going to happen, regardless if we like it or not. Unfortunately, strict legislation meant to protect the rights of musicians has gone a bit too far overboard and left a bitter taste in everyone's mouths, and now we are left clueless as to how we approach this. Due to pirating, it is no longer viable to make a living (even a very modest one at that) off of record sales. We've heard many anecdotes from bands that on tour, they pretty much have to be a clothing company, that the music takes a near back seat to the merchandise. That being said, you can't take a hard stance on pirating because it can be a valuable tool to help music go viral. Obviously, if our music is in demand that much, it will be pirated, I don't doubt that. However, we appreciate every purchase because it shows that you want us to keep going. I guess the short answer would be, we can't stop you, but please purchase our music if you like it in order to help us continue making music.


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


I think it is a great tool to give out a small release or single for free. We have done it before and have found that it helps build excitement when you are a little charitable in that sense. It's kind of saying to the listener, "Here is a song off the new album for free, have it! If you like it, the buy the rest too!" It encourages a reciprocal action back to the band. Of course this isn't sustainable in the long run, so I would definitely use discretion when considering giving out a piece of hard work for free.


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


Not necessarily. Like I said before, it is helpful when something goes viral, it focuses a lot of attention on the band. When friends share music with friends, that's how a true following gets built up. However, we just ask if you like the music, that you consider purchasing the music, come out and see and support us at a show, or buy a shirt (or all of them). People have to understand that although these actions help us get the word out faster, they also are not reasonable if they want us to keep making music, we'd all be broke if we just endlessly threw money into the band without earning some back for how much we do to make this band function on even the very basic levels.


6. What websites do you use?


Facebook is a huge tool social media wise, as well as twitter. We tend to like bandcamp as well, since it gives the buyer a bit more say in the quality of the file they're pulling from the internet. It's of course an advantage to have available on iTunes as well as Amazon, so we got our stuff up there too. I personally use soundcloud to showcase my own recordings and songs, just to keep people interested in new material while the band has down time between shows and releases. Basically, you want to use as many websites as possible to have your EP available as well as to promote the disc. Web forums are also a great way to get the word out there.


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


It's easier now to gain recognition in the industry due to the plain fact that websites like YouTube exist. The idea of something going viral is astounding when you think of what promotional tools bands had even ten years ago. To make it in the music industry is a completely different topic. Labels are more focused on what is guaranteed going to make them money due to pirating, and are less willing to take risks on bands that fall out of that paradigm. I would say unless you already have a strong following that's been built up over years, that it would be more difficult to access the same luxury that bands of the past did. It is easier now to make an excellent home recording, but people still need to rely on many different types of promotion to make it. Some are free, such as posting things all over the internet, others, such as touring and selling merch and putting stickers everywhere, cost a lot of personal dollars, sometimes which in order to grow, is not feasible for one person or even five people to finance.


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


The best thing that ever happened and detrimental all at the same time. The self made star is on the rise due to the internet, but any hope of earning a decent living without being a super star like Katy Perry have basically been destroyed. Luckily we love what we do, and will do anything to do it for the rest of our lives. Unfortunately, that is also taken for granted, and the devaluing of musicians has been on the rise just because kids want to get out and play, which people like a certain promoter in town (note that he is the exception in this town, most if not all the other promoters are great people) continually profit from and take advantage of. Essentially, a level of respect in the industry for the musicians needs to be built back up, because it can be great to you if you know and meet the right people. The hard part is just making people give a shit in the first place, so bands need to be insanely good salesmen as well.


--Interview by Trenton

Artist Interview: Amoride

image courtesy of: facebook

Amoride is a pop-punk band from Las Vegas, Nevada. Greyson Cervantes founded the group in 2009. After going through numerous lineup changes, steady success was achieved late 2010. Friendship and a passion for music is what has kept this band on the incline. With more shows, new dance moves, and a debut EP on the way, Amoride is ready to party!




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1. How long have you been making music?

 -Our band has been making music since fall of 2009. It’s been a long
road with numerous line up changes, styles, and shows; however, our love
and passion to write music and play it for fans has yet to falter in
those two 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?

 -Personally, I think how easy it is to share and spread music now is a
double edged sword. On one hand, you don’t need the backing of a label
to get your music out there. The internet makes spreading your music so
much easier, and I love that because you can find fans anywhere on
multiple sites (youtube, facebook, reverbnation... etc.). However, with
the numerous outlets you can share your music, there is a rise in people
playing and trying to get their name out there. The industry is being
flooded with bands and artists from every corner of the world. For
example, in the 60s, there were only a couple of outlets to be heard; on
a record, on a radio show, or a TV broadcast. That’s how the Beatles
took over the world in just a couple of years. Absolutely EVERYONE heard
or saw them. Now, it’s hard to get that mass exposure.

3. How do you feel about illegal downloading?

 -Honestly, I don’t see the problem of illegal downloading or sharing
music. From what I understand (and I could be wrong), is that most of
the money bands and artist make are not from album sales. The royalties
a band makes from album sales are a small percentage of their income.
Radio time, TV spots, a spot on a soundtrack, tours, and merchandise are
larger sources of income for the artist. I think the fact that so many
people want to download or share someones music is amazing. At that
point, it’s just more exposure. It’s more people who want to buy
your merch or come to your shows. These bands’ fan bases are growing
because of this.

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

 -Power to the people man. It shows that you’re doing this (writing
music) because you love it and you want to share your views, opinions,
and emotions with others in the form of music.

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

 -Not at all. Like I said, if you want to put your music out there and
give it to others, then go right ahead and make your fans. However, I do
strongly protest sharing other’s music if you do not have their
permission. I know I’ve said I don’t think downloading music is
wrong, but I only say that because I feel artist shouldn’t have a
problem or issue with the fact that people are trying to listen to their
music. I think artists should share their music on their terms rather
than watching others share it for them.

 6. What websites do you use?

 The main sites we use to promote our music are Facebook, Twitter,
YouTube, Reverbnation, and PureVolume.

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

 -It’s hard to say. I was only 9 ten years ago, so I didn’t know
what it took to make it. All I know is that constant work, undying
dedication, and passion are all necessary. Just because there are more
outlets to get your music out to the world, doesn’t mean it’s easier
to make it. You still have to get recognized, you still need the effort
and desire for everything. And not many bands/artist have those traits
anymore.

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

 -It’s helped it out. Everyone thinks the music industry is dying. I
think that’s false. The industry isn’t dying, it’s only changing.
We no longer need these major labels and large format recording studios.
Sure, it’s nice to stay with what worked, but where we’re headed
isn’t failing either. Music has spread to almost everyone now. It’s
still thriving. Artists are still making albums and putting on shows.
Everything is just a little more spread out now, rather than being
localized to major labels. But music in itself is just as strong as
ever.

--Interview By: Trenton Jean

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History of Music on the Internet

MP3, an obscure compression format that has the music
industry shaking in its gold-studded boots, is surely one of the
Web's most unlikely heroes.

MP3 is short for Moving Picture Experts Group, Audio Layer III,
and is a compression format that shrinks audio files with only a
small sacrifice in sound quality. MP3 files can be compressed at
different rates, but the more they are scrunched, the worse the
sound quality. A standard MP3 compression is at a 10:1 ratio,
and yields a file that is about 4 MB for a three-minute track.

It all started in the mid-1980s, at the Fraunhofer Institut in
Erlangen, Germany, which began work on a high quality, low
bit-rate audio coding with the help of Dieter Seitzer, a professor
at the University of Erlangen. In 1989, Fraunhofer was granted
a patent for MP3 in Germany and a few years later it was
submitted to the International Standards Organization (ISO),
and integrated into the MPEG-1 specification.

Frauenhofer also developed the first MP3 player in the early
1990s, but it turned out to be a pretty underwhelming
application. In 1997, a developer at Advanced Multimedia
Products named Tomislav Uzelac created the AMP MP3 Playback
Engine, which is regarded as the first prime-time MP3 player.
Shortly after the AMP engine hit the Net, a couple of university
students, Justin Frankel and Dmitry Boldyrev (who more recently
created MacAMP), took the Amp engine, added a Windows
interface and dubbed it "Winamp." In 1998, when Winamp was
offered up as a free music player, the MP3 craze began: Music
fiends all over the world started MP3 hubs, offering copyrighted
music for free.

Before long, other programmers jumped in to create a whole
toolset for MP3 junkies. New encoders, rippers, and players
were sprouting up every week, and the movement was growing
strong. Search engines made it even easier to find the specific
MP3 files people wanted, and portable players like the Rio let
them take MP3 tracks on the road.

And then came Napster.

Napster is the killer app that will be undoubtedly remembered
more than any other MP3-related software. When Napster hit
the Internet in 1999, it allowed anyone with a connection to
find and download just about any type of popular music they
wanted, in minutes. By connecting users to other users' hard
drives, Napster created a virtual community of music junkies
that's still growing at an astonishing pace.

However, the Recording Industry Association of America is
currently trying to shut Napster down. The RIAA also kept up
the pressure on the political front: Digital music heavyweights
recently gathered in Washington, D.C. to testify before a
Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on downloading and file
trading. Their lament: All this free downloading is screwing us
out of our deserved fees and royalties. The RIAA has sued
Napster, charging it with copyright law violations, and on July
26 won a decision in U.S. District Court that, in effect, ordered
Napster shut down. However, the very next day, a Court of
Appeals halted the order and ruled that Napster can stay in
business until the completion of its trial.

Even if Napster is eventually forced to shut down, MP3 has
many other ways to survive and thrive

Taken from: http://ntrg.cs.tcd.ie/undergrad/4ba2.01/group10/history.html

Music and the Internet: Conceptual Vacuums

   One of the biggest changes in music history happened when the MP3 was created.  From then on, music, as property, has been constantly changing.  This change has brought us to a conceptual vacuum on how we seen music as property and how it affects the public and the musicians that make it.  On this blog, the Property Group will try to solidify the ways in which music has changed with the creation of the internet and evaluate the views of the public and the views of musicians on this conceptually lacking topic.  This blog will feature interviews of musicians, polls of the public, and background information on music as property pertaining to the Internet. We, as a group, hope to create a better understanding of the ways in which the Internet has changed our views on music in terms of property so that future artists and listeners can see the effects of this change.

-The Property Group