Music Industry
- Campus Warning!
- Tidbits
- Oh You Silly Industry
- FYE and Overpriced CDs
- Oi...The Grammys.
- Bloc Party Tour In Jeopardy
- Hello and Welcome
Posted by
Zach Pontz
My campus recently released this note to students. How is your camous handling illegal file-sharing?
I go to Temple University in the beautiful and not always so sunny city of Philadelphia. In my March, 9th blog I wrote on the fact that the music industry has started to crack down, again, on college campuses. Interestingly enough however I hadn’t heard too much scuttlebutt on my campus. Well imagine the surprise, interest, and vulgar pleasure I received when I logged onto the school communications site the other day to find this little message:
Computer Services would like to make students aware that the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has launched a new anti-piracy campaign targeting university networks. During February and March 2007, the RIAA has sent out 805 letters to 23 universities informing them of a forthcoming copyright infringement lawsuit against one of their network users. The universities are being asked to then forward each letter to the appropriate person, who be given the opportunity to settle the claim at a discounted rate before a lawsuit is filed.
I don’t exactly know to what effect this will or won’t have on curbing students’ habitual downloading habits but I’d venture to say it’s going to have very little effect not only on my campus but across the country as a whole.
Maybe you will agree with me when I say this feels too much like some sort of karmic retaliation against an industry that’s overcharged and over inundated us with spurious junk through the years.
Either way let’s open up a dialogue here on Suite…so if you’re a student or even if you’re not let me know what you think college campuses nationwide should do to stop (or not) this apparent problem.
Computer Services would like to make students aware that the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has launched a new anti-piracy campaign targeting university networks. During February and March 2007, the RIAA has sent out 805 letters to 23 universities informing them of a forthcoming copyright infringement lawsuit against one of their network users. The universities are being asked to then forward each letter to the appropriate person, who be given the opportunity to settle the claim at a discounted rate before a lawsuit is filed.
I don’t exactly know to what effect this will or won’t have on curbing students’ habitual downloading habits but I’d venture to say it’s going to have very little effect not only on my campus but across the country as a whole.
Maybe you will agree with me when I say this feels too much like some sort of karmic retaliation against an industry that’s overcharged and over inundated us with spurious junk through the years.
Either way let’s open up a dialogue here on Suite…so if you’re a student or even if you’re not let me know what you think college campuses nationwide should do to stop (or not) this apparent problem.
Posted by
Zach Pontz
XM Radio is getting sued, McCartney gets his coffee fix and smart kids do Rock n' roll.
As if XM Radio, which is in the process of being taken over by Sirius Satellite Radio, had anything else it needs to bother with, a group representing The National Music Publishers' Association filed a Federal lawsuit Thursday against the station.
XM allows its users to download and store songs onto portable music devices as long as they have a subscription to the service (which is $13 a month).
The suit is bound to have a tough time in the courts as it holds similarities to a case filed last year by a group representing the Recording Industry Association of America that is still pending.
In other blog-worthy news:
Paul McCartney has left Capitol Records to sign with Starbucks’ new label. Entitled, Hear Music, he apparently couldn’t resist the temptation of getting free Mocha-latte-double-frappe grande-cinnos—something Capitol could only spuriously offer. No, but really McCartney said he was intrigued by the idea that the company would be using it’s coffeehouses to push music and also by their dedication to supporting artists.
And in the most amazingly horrible/excellent/obvious/Oh-that-explains-a–lot-about-me news of the week: A team of researchers from the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth at Warwick University in the UK just finished a study that claims smart kids enjoy rock music more than any other type, including classical. Researchers believe this is probably because most smart kids feel alienated and thus seek comfort in angst-ridden and misanthropic good ole’ rock n’ roll.
Posted by
Zach Pontz
The writer delivers the latter part of his 2-part blog series that damns the industry to a life of diminishing returns.
On March 8th Cary Sherman , president of the Recording Industry Association of America spoke in front of the House Judiciary subcommittee on courts, the Internet and intellectual property and said that despite the fact that music’s popularity is at an all-time high, fewer and fewer people are paying for it.
Sherman and his buddies don’t think enough is being done to stop online campus file-sharing especially. Which basically is a sign that reads in big blaring letters: WE ARE SCREWED. With this realization the recording industry has to go knocking on the doors of college campuses, some of the few places it has any control because of the large internet networks in housing residences that make it relatively easy to track ‘thieves.’
Last week I wrote that this is going to be a pretty futile effort especially considering the fact that the dying breed that is the large music chain sells CDs at a disturbingly high cost. Cracking down on a few college campuses is only going to make it worse and certainly not going to stop, slow or impede the theft.
So while we all sit at home looking for a reason to feel sorry for the music industries’ incredibly wealth being slightly reduced how bout I give out a few tips to those megalomaniacal robber barons.
1) How bout you have your bands not sell concert tickets at an increasingly unreasonable price
2) How bout you make a CD affordable
Yes, not groundbreaking concepts but hey, music is a drug and as you make it increasingly harder to obtain for us mere blue collar mortals the problem will only metastasize as we find other, cheaper ways to obtain some tunes.
Sherman and his buddies don’t think enough is being done to stop online campus file-sharing especially. Which basically is a sign that reads in big blaring letters: WE ARE SCREWED. With this realization the recording industry has to go knocking on the doors of college campuses, some of the few places it has any control because of the large internet networks in housing residences that make it relatively easy to track ‘thieves.’
Last week I wrote that this is going to be a pretty futile effort especially considering the fact that the dying breed that is the large music chain sells CDs at a disturbingly high cost. Cracking down on a few college campuses is only going to make it worse and certainly not going to stop, slow or impede the theft.
So while we all sit at home looking for a reason to feel sorry for the music industries’ incredibly wealth being slightly reduced how bout I give out a few tips to those megalomaniacal robber barons.
1) How bout you have your bands not sell concert tickets at an increasingly unreasonable price
2) How bout you make a CD affordable
Yes, not groundbreaking concepts but hey, music is a drug and as you make it increasingly harder to obtain for us mere blue collar mortals the problem will only metastasize as we find other, cheaper ways to obtain some tunes.
Posted by
Zach Pontz
In part 1 of 2, The writer wants to know why FYE has stayed in business and why file sharing should stop? (Well besides the fact that it's illegal).
The other day I walked into the brand new FYE -- which stands for ‘For Your Entertainment’—near my home, which has opened in the space formerly occupied by Tower Records. Tower recently went out of business and so my interest was piqued by the idea that a large chain such as FYEcould remain in business while another fairly similar chain such as Tower couldn’t.
The only answer I could come to was hypothetical and that is that FYE, through strong management, has been able to hold a grasp on the dwindling market better than any other store ( but more on this in part 2).
The main thing this venture reinforced however was that online file sharing and musical theft is never going to subside, and the music industry isn’t helping. CDs were $20 a pop, easily. DVDs as equally overpriced, with the bargain section pricing out at something like $15. Now I know the music industry has taken a hit with music piracy running rampant and showing no signs of curtailing, but one would think that the ridiculous cost of concerts might help to make up the difference. Apparently not.
Basically, what this all tells, while on my digression away from why I think FYE can still remain in business, is that no college-aged student in their right mind with a working computer is going to go out and buy a CD when they can just get it online from a friend or a ‘legal’ file sharing website…
The only answer I could come to was hypothetical and that is that FYE, through strong management, has been able to hold a grasp on the dwindling market better than any other store ( but more on this in part 2).
The main thing this venture reinforced however was that online file sharing and musical theft is never going to subside, and the music industry isn’t helping. CDs were $20 a pop, easily. DVDs as equally overpriced, with the bargain section pricing out at something like $15. Now I know the music industry has taken a hit with music piracy running rampant and showing no signs of curtailing, but one would think that the ridiculous cost of concerts might help to make up the difference. Apparently not.
Basically, what this all tells, while on my digression away from why I think FYE can still remain in business, is that no college-aged student in their right mind with a working computer is going to go out and buy a CD when they can just get it online from a friend or a ‘legal’ file sharing website…
Posted by
Zach Pontz
This writer can't stand the elitism of the Grammy Awards. When will someone stand-up and represent the true face of music on the world stage?
Let’s rant for a moment about how out of touch the Grammy Academy or whatever they like to refer to themselves as, really are. These were some of the more high profile awards given out the other night. Album of the Year:
"Taking the Long Way," Dixie Chicks.
Record of the Year: "Not Ready to Make Nice," Dixie Chicks.
New Artist: Carrie Underwood.
Rap Album: "Release Therapy," Ludacris. Rock Album:
"Stadium Arcadium," Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Now, pardoning the (near) pun at the behest of the aforementioned rap artist --but this awards show is ludicrous. Nobody in their good mind can sit there and say that the Dixie Chicks –THE DIXIE CHICKS!—wrote the best album and record of the year. Nobody in their right mind can sit there and say that Carrie Underwood is the best new artist in music today. Red Hot Chili Peppers I’ll admit are a great rock band, but “Stadium Arcadium” was hardly the best album put out this year, sorry guys, I do still love you.
No, what makes me kind of sick and kind of sad is that what this is a celebration of is money and profits and celebrity. What it certainly isn’t about is creative ambitions or unique vision.
What it’s not about is representing what’s good in music today. What really saddens me however is that the Grammy’s are a dividing line. It doesn’t unite the musical spheres –rather it polarizes them. At least their cinematic counterparts embrace the whole field…I can slightly bare watching the Oscars. But the Grammys…they’re crap.
"Taking the Long Way," Dixie Chicks.
Record of the Year: "Not Ready to Make Nice," Dixie Chicks.
New Artist: Carrie Underwood.
Rap Album: "Release Therapy," Ludacris. Rock Album:
"Stadium Arcadium," Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Now, pardoning the (near) pun at the behest of the aforementioned rap artist --but this awards show is ludicrous. Nobody in their good mind can sit there and say that the Dixie Chicks –THE DIXIE CHICKS!—wrote the best album and record of the year. Nobody in their right mind can sit there and say that Carrie Underwood is the best new artist in music today. Red Hot Chili Peppers I’ll admit are a great rock band, but “Stadium Arcadium” was hardly the best album put out this year, sorry guys, I do still love you.
No, what makes me kind of sick and kind of sad is that what this is a celebration of is money and profits and celebrity. What it certainly isn’t about is creative ambitions or unique vision.
What it’s not about is representing what’s good in music today. What really saddens me however is that the Grammy’s are a dividing line. It doesn’t unite the musical spheres –rather it polarizes them. At least their cinematic counterparts embrace the whole field…I can slightly bare watching the Oscars. But the Grammys…they’re crap.
Posted by
Zach Pontz
Drummer Matt Tong's lung condition threatens to sideline the band but lead singer Kele Okereke says they're looking for a possible replacement.
Bloc Party can’t seem to catch much of a break these days (well we shouldn’t feel too sorry for them They are rock stars right). The band, which burst onto the Indie scene in 2005 with their album Silent Alarm, first had their new album leaked over the web a good three months early last November, then they had to cancel their U.S. tour with Panic at the Disco (a facetious darn!).
Now, finally, their album Weekend In The City has been released but it appears that their U.K. tour might be in jeopardy for the same reason their fall tour was canceled –drummer Matt Tong’s health.
According to various websites, front man Kele Okereke has said that the band is indeed looking into possibly replacing Tong for the tour.
He says, "It was a frightening moment, and the most worrying thing is there is a high chance it might occur again so we have to find a replacement for parts of the tour.”
"We are keeping an eye on him and we have given up smoking, so thank goodness for that."
The good news is that while these various websites are reporting a possible cancellation the band has still gone ahead and announced that they will be playing at the Rock Werchter Festival June 28th to July 1st. The band is also scheduled to play at SXSW March 15th in Austin, Texas.
Now, finally, their album Weekend In The City has been released but it appears that their U.K. tour might be in jeopardy for the same reason their fall tour was canceled –drummer Matt Tong’s health.
According to various websites, front man Kele Okereke has said that the band is indeed looking into possibly replacing Tong for the tour.
He says, "It was a frightening moment, and the most worrying thing is there is a high chance it might occur again so we have to find a replacement for parts of the tour.”
"We are keeping an eye on him and we have given up smoking, so thank goodness for that."
The good news is that while these various websites are reporting a possible cancellation the band has still gone ahead and announced that they will be playing at the Rock Werchter Festival June 28th to July 1st. The band is also scheduled to play at SXSW March 15th in Austin, Texas.
Posted by
Zach Pontz
I'm Zach and I'll be giving you the down-low on all you need to know.
Hey I’m going to make my first blog a personal introductory so I hope you all don’t find me too self-absorbed…
I’ll be bringing you all the latest news on, well, the music industry. Obviously in today’s technological atmosphere the industry is undergoing constant change and adaptations and I plan on bringing you all the most up-to-date news on this front as well as anything else related.
But, dear reader, I can’t do this all myself so I’m going to be relying on you to fill me in on anything you think is of note. It’s a big world out there and I can’t cover all of it. I want you to feel free to correct me and to inform me.
I’ll be trying to gear my articles more towards the indie/DIY world as that is more of an interest I find. You can open up a Rolling Stone if you want to know the details of Fall Out Boys new contract…but you can’t do that if you want to know which local band is about to hit it big.
Be good. Be in touch. Let’s have fun together.
I’ll be bringing you all the latest news on, well, the music industry. Obviously in today’s technological atmosphere the industry is undergoing constant change and adaptations and I plan on bringing you all the most up-to-date news on this front as well as anything else related.
But, dear reader, I can’t do this all myself so I’m going to be relying on you to fill me in on anything you think is of note. It’s a big world out there and I can’t cover all of it. I want you to feel free to correct me and to inform me.
I’ll be trying to gear my articles more towards the indie/DIY world as that is more of an interest I find. You can open up a Rolling Stone if you want to know the details of Fall Out Boys new contract…but you can’t do that if you want to know which local band is about to hit it big.
Be good. Be in touch. Let’s have fun together.