Most forget (or never knew) revenue from music sales never made it back to the artist, it was gross revenue that went to the label. Artist advances were unrecouped, and of those released via a label, 98% failed with their “one shot” (post failed release, they were damaged goods and done for). Gross revenue from music sales might be down, but sales by unit are up. In addition, more consumers are buying more music from a wider cohort of artists now than at any point in history. Music might be cheaper to “buy” (stream), but the end result is more artists making more money (or making any money at all) off the sale and use of their recordings than at any point in history. Compare this to the past when over 98% of signed artists made nothing (and almost 100% of unsigned made nothing) vs. today where many many more make something. (more…)
Every January, Nielsen SoundScan releases an annual report on the music business for the prior year, and every year in recent memory, the numbers have sung the same sad song: overall music sales are down, again, as piracy and other factors chip away at the industry’s sales numbers. This year, however, there’s a glimmer of hope. For the first time since 2004, overall music sales are up. It’s an incremental improvement–album sales edged up 1.4% to 330.57 million units from 326.15 million in 2010–but it’s an improvement nonetheless, especially compared to the 13% dip in total album sales from 2009-2010.
“Now that the final numbers are in, it’s official that the music industry has a significantly positive year in the record books for the first time in seven years,” said Jim Donio, president of music business association NARM, in an email. “This year’s results can be attributed to a variety of influences, including more aggressive marketing efforts and offers, availability and consumer adoption of legitimate digital commerce models, the power of social media, etc.” (more…)
Any year in touring that includes the figure $736,421,586 can only be considered a good year for business. That mind-blowing sum is the final tally for U2‘s historic 360° tour, a three-year behemoth that shattered preconceived notions (and capacities) for stadium shows, forever changed the paradigms of concert production and moved more than 7 million tickets around the globe.
They are ramping up the usefulness and utility of this irritating little app, but you might as well get up with it because it looks like it’s gonna be the way to keep up with the news, views and crews on the web ether…here’s the full on skinny of what and who it am … TWITTER
Virtuoso blues guitarist Chris Duarte’s new ALBUM “Blues in the Afterburner” sees the Texan master enter a new decade finding ways to keep his playing out there in the world. Though he’s approaching his senior years in life, he still feels that his best years are in front of him. “It’s the insatiable will to learn and the desire to evolve that keeps me alive. I’m always going to want to find a new way to approach music even if I’m restricted by financial constraints to explore completely different directions. I’ll find a way to work within what my musical confines dictate.” Thus with that it brings us to his latest release on Blues Bureau International; Blues In The Afterburner.
The Jungle casts an eye on the last half-century of gadgetry wonders from the world of music. Recently a true musical legend died. This week a true musical tech legend turned 30. The Sony Walkman will be celebrating its anniversary in a world that it has not only dramatically helped shape, but one in which its name still lives on strong as a bastion of the digital music revolution. Without a shadow of a doubt, Sony’s portable music box altered the way we think about and enjoy music forever, and such an achievement has got us thinking about all the other innovations in music that should be celebrated and revered with just as much gusto. Thus, we’ve compiled a VIEW of the top innovations in music tech over the last 50 years. As Friedrich Nietzsche once said: “Life without music would be a mistake.” CLICK FOR THE LIST.
With the music industry in free fall, musicians turn to advertising and product placement to promote their work.
Iggy Pop in an ad for men’s fashion designer John Varvatos. (johnvarvatos.com)
In the music video for Lady Gaga’s hit single “Bad Romance,” the pop diva vamps across several nightmarish tableaux wearing a variety of barely there lingerie get-ups. The flashy clip caused a sensation when it debuted in November and has racked up 85 million views on YouTube. But perhaps its most striking aspect is the unabashed product placement — conspicuous visual shout-outs to Nemiroff vodka, Nintendo Wii, Burberry and other brands. Back in the proverbial day — say, the Woodstock era, punk rock’s ’70s heyday, the slacker-era ’90s — a song was a song and a jingle was a jingle and rarely the twain did meet. But now, with CD sales in free fall and opportunities for radio or television airplay increasingly rare, the rules governing the interplay between pop music and advertising are being rewritten. (more…)
Few are willing to work really hard, sacrifice the time and energy and just go for it in the name of music, but the band SOBIC based in Bangkok – determined since as far back as 2001 to crack the Thai market first – are truly ready to rock the world soon after Thailand ‘falls’! Believe it!
@sobicmusic Looks like tide about to break for y'all 2 send a tidal wave of music around the world...your most important Xmas ever! Coolio! 2 months ago
@BBCWorld Quite right! How dare they come over here and spill oil everywhere. Send 'em home to Freeza City where they belong. Pesky penguins 2 months ago
@emelisande Emska..sure are burnin' up them media waves...coolio..just hold on tighter as the reptiles emerge...and they will...be strong! 2 months ago
Saif ain't safe. How many others are quaking in their boots? Will he spill the beans on Blair et al or bargain a way out with what he knows? 2 months ago
If you can wait, YOU will be the next big thing! So tell Paula Abdul they can't ALL be worth the hype. Talent was all you really needed once 2 months ago
I went into a trance to get the lottery numbers for my sister...now she hates me...moral? Get a new trance mode or get hypnotised.Can't win! 2 months ago
@GatewayRecords I know you must know something we don't to make such a courageous move..all the best in this rebirth of a notion... 2 months ago
@charliecheney Good band names are incidental to the fact that the band has killer tunes...the tune is what counts - always and forever.. 2 months ago
Iggy Pop in an ad for men’s fashion designer John Varvatos. (johnvarvatos.com)
