Why the Music Industry is Failing
No one listens to music anymore.
That isn't true, but it doesn't really seem like music is quite important to an average person's day-to-day life. Of course I am awesome and not average, so I listen to music all the time, but not everyone does, and far less people do now than in the past. Am I blowing smoke? Take these elements of everyday life:
1. The Car-When I get in the car, I usually listen to a CD, or the radio (Zune gets some time in as well). I don't like to talk on the phone in the car. While I am head-banging and rocking-out, sometimes I look at the car next to me to see if they can tell how awesome I am. Most of the people I look at don't notice me because they are talking on their cell phones. I am willing to guess that the majority of these phone calls hold no social importance and only exist for the purpose of killing time. I listen to my music to transcend my paltry concrete surroundings because I am better than everyone else.
2. At Home-I love throwing on, I mean gently placing a VINYL RECORD onto my VINYL RECORD PLAYER because I am remarkably well-rounded and incredible. I am also a Renaissance Man and play music at home through all other formats, and my whole family jams to the sweet sounds of my superior music selections. Most people don't listen to music at home anymore. If I am home alone at night, I will turn off the lights and throw a record on and imagine I am in a more enlightened time as imperfections in the vinyl hiss and pop. Most people left alone at night either fall asleep Facebook stalking or play Scrabble on their cell phones.
3. Cell Phones-Actually, maybe this post should be called: SMART PHONES DESTROY MUSIC, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY DUMBING DOWN AND DISTRACTING THE HUMAN RACE TO THE POINT OF DESTRUCTION! AHHH!!! Seriously everyone looks like a damn ostrich, except, instead of burying their heads in the sand, they are burying their heads into their cell phones. Notice I don't say "we" here because I am too much of a spectacular example of humanity to be counted in this number. Of course, some ostriches do listen to and value music, but other ostriches only listen to music in apathetic, disengaged passivity on their cell phone while they are testing out an "app" that allows them to prepare virtual grilled-cheese sandwiches.
So, here is my world-changing conclusion: Downloading is not killing the music industry. If anything, downloading is one of the few things keeping interest in music afloat. Other forms of distraction are killing the music industry. That is fine by me because the collective lessening of the masses only heightens the status of my greatness. Fin.
That isn't true, but it doesn't really seem like music is quite important to an average person's day-to-day life. Of course I am awesome and not average, so I listen to music all the time, but not everyone does, and far less people do now than in the past. Am I blowing smoke? Take these elements of everyday life:
1. The Car-When I get in the car, I usually listen to a CD, or the radio (Zune gets some time in as well). I don't like to talk on the phone in the car. While I am head-banging and rocking-out, sometimes I look at the car next to me to see if they can tell how awesome I am. Most of the people I look at don't notice me because they are talking on their cell phones. I am willing to guess that the majority of these phone calls hold no social importance and only exist for the purpose of killing time. I listen to my music to transcend my paltry concrete surroundings because I am better than everyone else.
2. At Home-I love throwing on, I mean gently placing a VINYL RECORD onto my VINYL RECORD PLAYER because I am remarkably well-rounded and incredible. I am also a Renaissance Man and play music at home through all other formats, and my whole family jams to the sweet sounds of my superior music selections. Most people don't listen to music at home anymore. If I am home alone at night, I will turn off the lights and throw a record on and imagine I am in a more enlightened time as imperfections in the vinyl hiss and pop. Most people left alone at night either fall asleep Facebook stalking or play Scrabble on their cell phones.
3. Cell Phones-Actually, maybe this post should be called: SMART PHONES DESTROY MUSIC, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY DUMBING DOWN AND DISTRACTING THE HUMAN RACE TO THE POINT OF DESTRUCTION! AHHH!!! Seriously everyone looks like a damn ostrich, except, instead of burying their heads in the sand, they are burying their heads into their cell phones. Notice I don't say "we" here because I am too much of a spectacular example of humanity to be counted in this number. Of course, some ostriches do listen to and value music, but other ostriches only listen to music in apathetic, disengaged passivity on their cell phone while they are testing out an "app" that allows them to prepare virtual grilled-cheese sandwiches.
So, here is my world-changing conclusion: Downloading is not killing the music industry. If anything, downloading is one of the few things keeping interest in music afloat. Other forms of distraction are killing the music industry. That is fine by me because the collective lessening of the masses only heightens the status of my greatness. Fin.
Comments
When I'm alone at home or basically when my wife isn't home the TV is off and the music is on. I agree also, that music is just not very important to the average person. I don't hang out with very many people that are as into music as I am with the exception of my brothers, which are basically my only living friends that I get to share all my music glory with. Maybe that's one reason I have become so obsessed with online blogs like yours and other website focusing on music where I can interact with other music enthusiasts.
I have been told by some friends to start my own blog about music I like and listen to, which I am considering, especially after reading this blog. Getting back to the music, I also agree that the digital revolution is not killing the industry at all. I am a strong supporter of downloading music, which basically gets the material out there. If its good enough people will come to shows and support through merchandise or whatever. Its a wicked industry that I'm glad I am not relying on for a source of income.
As far as cell phones go, I have mine loaded with over 2,000 songs I change up regularly and listen with headphones at the gym or a quick escape at home if there is nothing better going on. So I don't think that cell phones themselves are destroying music, or maybe I misinterpreted what you meant. I guess you mean people are more into their apps and games/social media on their phones than into listening to the music capabilities the smart phones possess. Because as a listening devise they are basically an ipod capable of pumping out tunes.
You should definitely start a music blog. It is so easy. All you need is a decent lunch break! For some people, it's tough to stay consistent, myself included (there are years I haven't blogged), but having these reviews be the focus has definitely made that easier.
Go for it, man!
http://buckybloggy.blogspot.com/
How do you post the songs I've seen on some of your posts, other than the youtube videos, the divshare videos? I guess I could probably figure it out but I like that way of posting music.
Good luck, man! That's really exciting!
Psyched to see it rolling!