video games, music, internet pop culture
CNET reports that the Webcaster Settlement Act has passed the House of Representatives unanimously. Only the Senate now stands in the way of internet radio broadcasters and business viability.
According to the article:
Webcasters are fighting for the right to negotiate with the music industry to reduce the royalty rates they must pay to stream music over [...]
Music social networking/blogging site, MOG, announced yesterday that legendary producer and Columbia Records executive, Rick Rubin will be joining its board of directors. Seeing as how the site is financially backed by Sony BMG and Universal records, this does not come as much of a surprise.
According to Mog founder, David Hyman, Rubin’s role “…is taking [...]
Wired’s Listening Post reports that Warner Music has a plan to charge people a flat fee on the ISP level for the right to download unlimited amounts of music on p2p networks without the threat of litigation.
wat.
I’m still in shock. Hath mine own eyes deceived me? Is this really happening? Someone should [...]
Several other blogs have picked up on the Financial Times story today that Apple is talks with the major labels in offering an all-you-can-eat music consumption option for iPod/iPhone users through iTunes.
I was actually just wondering about this earlier in the morning as I read Tycho’s latest Penny-Arcade post. It isn’t the best [...]
Taking a page out of Nine Inch Nails’ recent simultaneous announcement/release of their new album, The Raconteurs have announced that their new album, Consolers of the Lonely, will hit every possible outlet next Tuesday, 3/25.
“Album” meaning: full length vinyl, CD and digital formats; and “everywhere” meaning: local mom and pop Indie retailers, corporate superstores, supermarkets, [...]
It looks like Bob Lefsetz’s favorite P2P software solution has decided to go legit. Limewire has opened up a digital music store with a virtually no differentiation from the other music solutions out there. They’re selling tracks a la carte for $0.99 while also offering eMusic-like monthly plans consisting of 25 tracks for $9.99 and [...]
The Nine Inch Nails camp has reported that first week cumulative sales of all “Ghosts I-IV” SKU’s have totaled 781,987 units with total revenues of $1,619,420.
A pretty good haul for our buddy Trent if I don’t say so myself.
If we google first week CD sales numbers for the last three Nine Inch Nails [...]
Neil Gaiman has been my favorite contemporary fiction author ever since I was captivated by The Sandman in the early 90’s. Recently, he and his publisher have put up his most defining literary work, American Gods, in its entirety for free online (I recommend you give it a read, it’s wonderful!). Apparently, he’s [...]
Kevin Kelly has a great post over at his blog on a possible new business model for artists. The basic idea is that in order to make a living as a musician, you need 1,000 true fans who will buy anything you put out. This number increases proportionally with the more people [...]
Wired’s Listening Post has an excellent bullet point interview with Sony BMG executive, Thomas Hesse, about the current state of the music industry and what the future holds. Surprisingly, Hesse has some genuinely insightful thoughts on the state of the industry.
Here are some highlights:
Connected CDs are going to be a huge thing. Half [...]