The New Industry

Slowly but surely I’m seeing the music industry change around me. When FRA started I was just a fan of music and the culture around it. Since then I’ve seen the collapse of the traditional record label and big management groups. It’s interesting to see how different people are tackling on these changing times, from the artists themselves to the “behind the scenes” workers. I’m seeing producers becoming the “stars” for one. The nerdier we all get, the more appreciative we get for the craft of song writing. With the amazing technology we have around us, producers really get to showcase their talent in real youtube-time, ala The Stereotypes. Indie “myspace bands” have also shown us that the internet truly is a world wide phenomenon. With good songs, and hard work, an indie band can gather an army and promote online with a vengeance. Nowadays being a rockstar can be like running for office. You gotta meet and greet your peoples. Take a lesson from FM. The amount of behind the scenes work these guys put in is extraordinary. One thing everyone is wondering is “How does one make money off of music?” That’s still something everyone is working at. What does seem clear is that CD’s don’t sell. Let me say that one more time, CD’S DON’T SELL. Get over it. Music is becoming more like a promotional item. However it still is an artists’ number one branding tool. Entrepreneurs in the industry are beginning to see this and are starting to take different routes. Hevi Inc is one example. Lead by Shawn Matian, Hevi Inc has worked with artists such as Fonzworth Bentley, Ja Rule, and KO The Legend. With forward thinking minds, Hevi has begun to invest in new media outlets and has expanded the markets of their artists to beyond just cd sales.

In the end I’m as interested as everyone else in seeing what happens. The right circumstances will always result in new ways.