Tag: music

DRM is dead

The major 4 music labels today are “fucked”. Digital music pricing has been a scam where the consumer pays for manufacturing, distribution, and does all the work – and still has to pay more. Labels should outsource everything except finance and licensing. But he’s also optimistic that for almost everyone else – indie labels, musicians, songwriters and budding entrepreneurs – as well as network providers – the future’s going to be pretty bright. The Big 4 know that the DRM era is nearly over – and within 2 or 3 years, “most countries” in the world will have a blanket licensing regime where we exchange music freely, for a couple of quid a month.

insights into the future of music sales

Recommendations done right

i have recently started to use last.fm more frequently, again. i have had an account there since 2003, but had forgotten about it. in the meantime, they have built out an awesome service that works really well. it was a nice surprise to see that they upgraded early adopters to their version of a pro user, for free. this allows me to have my own radio station without lifting a finger, and other nice benefits.

coupled with their sane data policy, this is a clear winner. really useful and relevant unlike the overhyped silliness that is “podcasting”.

Elektronik Supersonik

The tiny Eastern European republic of Molvania was disqualified from the Eurovision Song Contest this year. Zladko Zlad Vladcik was to perform his very popular techno-ballad, Elektronik – Supersonik – described as a melodic fusion combining hot disco rhythms with cold war rhetoric.

Hard to believe with lyrics like this:

Hey baby, wake up from your asleep.
We have arrived unto the future
And the whole world is become…
Elektronik supersonik
Supersonik elektronik