A funny thing about this brave new Internet world of ours is something I call the BoingBoing effect. A site that’s a very good aggregator can attract a large audience by posting frequently and picking great and unique things to link to. But if there’s a particular mindset to the site, it can get passed on to its audience incidentally, and be validated by the site’s own popularity and authority. In the case of BoingBoing, a self-proclaimed “directory of wonderful things,” it’s their particular philosophy on the “free” nature of information. As it applies to music, the idea is that the music industry is a criminal enterprise and that music would be much better for everyone if it was free, or at least “pay what you like.” Which is how we get Scott Thill, a music blogger for the biggest tech magazine in the world, saying crazy shit like this. MORE »
Posts Tagged ‘Emi’
the biz
“Wired” Blogger Not Afraid To Look Stupid
the biz
EMI To Launch Digital Service, Possibly While High
There are days when it barely seems worth reporting on the various digital plans of the major labels… we all know that most them won’t last for long, assuming the concepts come to fruition at all. Still, EMI’s idea to launch its own digital-music service is so strange and seemingly pointless, it’s worth documenting–less for the idea itself, but the grasping-at-straws nature of the business these days. MORE »
they write letters
Moby Makes Sense (No, Really!)
In yet another open letter to a hegemonic media power–in this case, EMI–electronic artist Moby decries the reticence of his corporate masters toward selling music to people who both want it, and are willing to pay for it. MORE »
Two Imperiled Industries Decide To Hook Up For Kicks
So, you’re at a company whose core business hasn’t been doing so well these days. Layoffs are high, morale is low, and people getting your product for free are cutting into your profit model. How can you save your hide, or at least stave off your problems for one more day? Both EMI and the newsmongers Gannett have had these sorts of problems, and together, they’ve apparently decided that the answer is to hook up with one another and remember what the glory days of the monoculture were like–you know, back when the word “exclusive premiere” meant something? EMI and Gannett both remember those days, which is why they’ve entered into a deal to “premiere” the new album by Brian Wilson, That Lucky Old Sun, on Gannett’s newspaper and TV sites before its Sept. 2 release. MORE »
the biz
Jared Leto To EMI: F U, Pay Me (And Those Other Dudes In The Band)
Late Friday, EMI announced that it was suing the Jared Leto-led outfit 30 Seconds To Mars, whose last album for the label’s Virgin subsidiary came out in 2005, for $30 million dollars because of breach of contract issues. While the exact amount of damages sought was probably the result of “cuteness” more than anything, EMI’s grievance seemed somewhat solid–after all, the band “repudiated” its contract, on which it had one album left, last month. In response to the suit, the former Jordan Catalano penned an open letter to his fans, his band’s former label, and any other parties who might be interested. MORE »
videodrone
Lily Allen Gives Her Fans A Primer On The Business Of Music
Two months ago, Lily Allen was in Los Angeles making her new record, and there were rumors of discord between the spunky British singer and her label, the EMI-owned Capitol Records–word on the street was that the troubled label, clearly operating under the “one female singer at a time, guys” rule, was throwing all its weight behind the abhorrent Katy Perry and kicking Allen to the curb, or at least the “turnaround” segment of EMI’s roster. At the time, Allen denied the allegations, saying that there was more than enough room for both of them. But she mentioned the current status of her album in a blog post over the weekend, and things don’t look all that good: MORE »
Lawsuits
EMI has issued a statement on its $30 million lawsuit against the Jared Leto-fronted outfit 30 Seconds To Mars that says in part: “The hard work of EMI’s global team and of the band has resulted in sales of 3 million albums and singles, multiple awards and a growing, global fan base. MORE »
videodrone
Rob Stevenson, the former executive vice president of A & R at Universal Music Group who was also one of the people behind Ultragrrrl-branded boutique label Stolen Transmission, has landed at EMI. MORE »
videodrone
Rob Stevenson, the former executive vice president of A & R at Universal Music Group who was also one of the people behind Ultragrrrl-branded boutique label Stolen Transmission, has landed at EMI. MORE »
