Music Industry Books

If you are a musician - or not - interested in learning more about the music industry, here are some books worth reading:

• All You Need To Know About the Music Business - Donald Passman
• The Musician's Handbook: A Practical Guide to Understanding the Music Business - Bobby Borg
• Confessions of a Record Producer: How to Survive the Scams and Shams of the Music Business - Moses Avalon

And finally, not as heavy on the technical knowledge, but I liked it anyways:

• Everything I'm Cracked Up to Be: A Rock & Roll Fairy Tale - Jen Trynin

Playlist 5/27/07

Mostly Ambient

Apollo: Atmospheres & Soundtracks - Brian Eno
Juno - Harold Budd
Pantomime... - Harold Budd with Zeitgeist

-Intermission-
The Detectives - Alan Tew
Girl In A Sportscar - Alan Hawkshaw
Curly Shirley - Otto Sieben
The Penthouse Suite - Syd Dale
-End Intermission-

NICE AGE - Yellow Magic Orchestra
(Please) Lose Yourself In Me - My Bloody Valentine
Mysterious Skin Soundtrack - Robin Guthrie And Harold Budd

Artist Spotlight: The Cocteau Twins

It's hard to find a short bio on the Cocteau Twins because they were so influential. Here is something from AllMusic.com:

"A group whose distinctly ethereal and gossamer sound virtually defined the enigmatic image of the record label 4AD, Cocteau Twins were founded in Grangemouth, Scotland, in 1979. Taking their name from an obscure song from fellow Scots Simple Minds, the Cocteaus were originally formed by guitarist Robin Guthrie and bassist Will Heggie and later rounded out by Guthrie's girlfriend Elizabeth Fraser, an utterly unique performer whose swooping, operatic vocals relied less on any recognizable language than on the subjective sounds and textures of verbalized emotions."

And from their website:

"They were a phenomenon. Not necessarily the kind that plays to stadiums or fills MTV's timeslots or even sells millions of records. Rather, the kind that quietly causes a fundamental shift in perception, exerting a seminal influence that is universally felt if not always seen."

I recommend checking out "Heaven or Las Vegas", and then "Treasure."

Headphone Padding

Does anyone know if they still make headphones like these? I love the 70s padding. I actually think if someone were to market 70's style headphone padding in different colors they would sell very well. Anyone want to go into business with me?

Artist Spotlight: Chris Opperman

I discovered Chris Opperman whilst - yes, WHILST - wandering around the internet back in 1998. Highly recommended. Here's a snippet from his wikipedia page:

"For all of his multiple-genre excursions into rock and jazz, Opperman nonetheless sees himself first and foremost as a classical composer. 'If Beethoven were alive today,' says Opperman, 'he would be pushing the envelope with his musicians, utilizing the latest technology, and embracing many styles of music to create his own inimitable sound. That’s the standard I am striving to achieve.'"

That's how I want to be.

Artist Spotlight: Yellow Magic Orchestra

"The trailblazing force behind the emergence of the Japanese techno-pop sound of the late '70s, Yellow Magic Orchestra remains a seminal influence on contemporary electronic music -- hugely popular both at home and abroad, their pioneering use of synthesizers, sequencers and drum machines places them second only to Kraftwerk as innovators of today's electronic culture."

Trent Reznor on the Music Industry

From an interview with Trent Reznor:

"[I] have one record left that I owe a major label, then I will never be seen in a situation like this again. If I could do what I want right now, I would put out my next album, you could download it from my site at as high a bit-rate as you want, pay $4 through PayPal. Come see the show and buy a T-shirt if you like it. I would put out a nicely packaged merchandise piece, if you want to own a physical thing."

When will the music industry learn that its business model is obsolete? And, a related problem, when will they become more ethical all-around?