Friday, 13 February 2009

Week 4 - Topic 3

Over the last few years the way music is consumed has changed dramatically due to file-sharing, online downloading and new material being networked. To some extent, people don’t have to pay for music anymore because of programmes like ‘limewire.’ Even with buying music off iTunes, people don’t have to go out and buy music anymore; it’s literally at a click of a button. It’s not just popular music available; there is a varied amount of music available from over the decades.

It has changed popular music in the sense that anyone online could potentially ‘make it’ and have a number one hit because it’s compiled with sales and downloads, therefore any band who is online and has the capabilities to get their music downloaded could entered in the charts. Kate Nash is an artist who was spotted on social networking site ‘MySpace’ by Lily Allen, therefore the chance to spot new musical talent is also available at a click of a button. I believe that this will continue to develop and go on changing popular music.

There will always be media companies because some elements are integral, but the need for them is decreasing because of the convenience with distribution and production of ‘cultural products’ directly. In saying that, over the next few years will there be something more even more ‘new’ to produce/distribute/consume music?
There seems to be never-ending progression.
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9 comments:

  1. virtual_becky13 February 2009 at 18:55

    Interesting, because I do wonder how the high street stores such as HMV who sell CDs are going to survive- eventually I bet everything will be consumed via the Internet. Although, I do think it is nice to have the proper CD if you want a full album! I think bit by bit there will be more restrictions on downloading music- and unfortunately the end of Limewire.

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  2. cara88b14 February 2009 at 14:19

    Yes, there will be more restrictions, but with the developments of new media, there will be more opportunities for people to access the music in different ways.
    You are right though, it is sometimes nice to have the CD especially if it's of someone you really like. We probably sound really old fashioned!! :)

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  3. virtual_becky15 February 2009 at 16:17

    Yes probably!

    Didnt really think about that, but yes I think you are right; I guess it is like with any technology that comes out, people find ways to get round any restrictions or copyright stuff.

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  4. a_coleman16 February 2009 at 00:19

    I agree with you guys sometimes its nice to have the CD as you seem to get more for your money if you know what I mean? Also you can get special edition cases and stuff.

    Esp if you consider buying a CD as a gift or something, its nice to actually have something there to look at rather than just say 'Oh my friend bought downloaded me an album'

    I can see sites such as Limewire finishing soon but others will quickly be found like Pirate Bay etc Limewire will probably end up becoming a site where you have to pay for the downloads. Napster used to be free and then it started charging. Its just another way of making money!

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  5. a_coleman16 February 2009 at 00:22

    I know I mentioned it on my blog, but what do you think will happen to old fashioned radio?? I know it's invented itself with DAB and stuff but do you think it'll last? x

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  6. cara88b16 February 2009 at 12:25

    I think the radio will be around for a while, but soon enough it wont have any of the characterisitcs of an original radio because technonlogy will have taken over. There are so many more options for people these days, and there is a certain need for people to always have the "newest" and "best" means of technology.

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  7. KayleyA16 February 2009 at 14:38

    I wouldn't agree that the need for media companies is decreasing, rather that their role is just changing. Rather than discovedring an artist and them promoting them in any way possible to sell CDs, now a record label in many ways are having their jobs made easier, rather than having to force an artist into the the center of the stage and force everyone to look at them, people already know about them through the Internet and can recommend them to friends in a much less pushy or "salesy" way.

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  8. cara88b16 February 2009 at 15:16

    Yeah I agree, I also think that it means more to the audience because in a way they have the responsibility of making an artist successful when it comes to downloading their music. They can have a sense of knowing they helped make a band 'make it.'

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  9. DaveK22 February 2009 at 18:27

    I think Kayley's spot on regarding music companies changing role. It's going back to the 60s when bands worked and paid for their own travel/promotion as they zoomed around the new superhighways (the motorways) going to gigs in transits. Music companies waited until they'd developed a following before they got on board -the risk was reduced and the costs of supporting bands that had no appeal were avoided. The Inet has brought that risk structure back.

    Interestingly, M.I.A. the radical Asian rapper who might get an Oscar for the music on "Slumdog Millionaire" used the Inet to stay in touch with her dispersed Sri Lankan family and other musicians in Canada and the USA. She stayed with relatives on the West Coast and connected with rappers there (such as Tupac apparently) So that's another way that global music feeds off the Inet. Not just 'stealing' hits, but sharing obscure music and feeding each other's obsession with what's 'cool'.

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