Sunday, February 28, 2010
Big Brother Google is Watching
As many of you might have heard already, the “Musicblogocide 2010” has started. Six music blogs have been torn down by the giant that is Google. Without even a mere warning, these six sites - Pop Tarts, Masala, I Rock Cleveland, To Die By Your Side, It's a Rap and Living Ears – were deleted overnight in their entirety. A messily “we'd like to inform you that we've received another complaint regarding your blog. . . Upon review of your account, we've noted that your blog repeatedly violated Blogger's Terms of Service. . . [and] we've been forced to remove your blog. Thank you for your understanding” was sent to the six account managers the day after deletion. Which makes me think - I thought the point of new new media was to have “total” control of the material you post on the internet.
A little warning before would have been nice.
There were years and years of knowledge and insight in these websites. Not even to mention, those that only used legal material – promotional tracks sent from the record labels themselves- such as Masala (a blog that focuses of obscure music genres that would otherwise get no exposure to the fast world if it weren't for these blogs). It's as UK's Guardian reporter Sean Michael writes: “in a complaint posted by Google Support, Bill Lipold, the owner of I Rock Cleveland, cited four cased in the past year when he had received copyright violation notices for songs he was legally entitled to post”. Here's a note from Blogger about it - and the notification the bloggers are receiving.
These sites were obliterated to bits because of the obscure so called Digital Millennium Copyright Act. These warnings, bloggers report, contain no information or sign of what material they are referring to. Bloggers are left in the dark, putting hundreds of well thought out blog posts on the line, for one piece of their vast blog. This one track, most of the time, puts their whole year's worth of material at risk. What ever happened to a little self defense? Not all blogs were self proclaimed saints, but some of these are legit websites under the payroll of the record labels in charge of these artists. They are promotional tools for the artists themselves.
It's like Kevin O' Keefe, lawyer and blogger, mentions in his “Real Lawyers Have Blogs” post. Are we all at risk? Who is to say everyone of our blogs will not get deleted from one night to the other?
On top of this, why those six blogs? Thousands of individuals acquire their downloads from many existing (and thriving) sites such as Hype Machine and torrent sites like PirateBay, not these small sites.
I'm all for the support of artists and their music. However, Google is a big guy. I don't see the message they are trying to send by removing these music blogs when there are bigger players in the game of music copyright infringement to be up against. It's all but a cowardly move to me. Google should pick on someone its own size.
A little warning before would have been nice.
There were years and years of knowledge and insight in these websites. Not even to mention, those that only used legal material – promotional tracks sent from the record labels themselves- such as Masala (a blog that focuses of obscure music genres that would otherwise get no exposure to the fast world if it weren't for these blogs). It's as UK's Guardian reporter Sean Michael writes: “in a complaint posted by Google Support, Bill Lipold, the owner of I Rock Cleveland, cited four cased in the past year when he had received copyright violation notices for songs he was legally entitled to post”. Here's a note from Blogger about it - and the notification the bloggers are receiving.
These sites were obliterated to bits because of the obscure so called Digital Millennium Copyright Act. These warnings, bloggers report, contain no information or sign of what material they are referring to. Bloggers are left in the dark, putting hundreds of well thought out blog posts on the line, for one piece of their vast blog. This one track, most of the time, puts their whole year's worth of material at risk. What ever happened to a little self defense? Not all blogs were self proclaimed saints, but some of these are legit websites under the payroll of the record labels in charge of these artists. They are promotional tools for the artists themselves.
It's like Kevin O' Keefe, lawyer and blogger, mentions in his “Real Lawyers Have Blogs” post. Are we all at risk? Who is to say everyone of our blogs will not get deleted from one night to the other?
On top of this, why those six blogs? Thousands of individuals acquire their downloads from many existing (and thriving) sites such as Hype Machine and torrent sites like PirateBay, not these small sites.
I'm all for the support of artists and their music. However, Google is a big guy. I don't see the message they are trying to send by removing these music blogs when there are bigger players in the game of music copyright infringement to be up against. It's all but a cowardly move to me. Google should pick on someone its own size.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
A few UK boys
With overlapping ranging vocals, heart pulling guitar riffs, and a move worthy beat the UK natives are definitely worth a listen.
Their sophomoric album, Two Dancers, released December 2009, was a hit in "Best of 2009" album blog lists.
Their sophomoric album, Two Dancers, released December 2009, was a hit in "Best of 2009" album blog lists.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Myspace's Attempt to Swim in the Flood
I remember a couple years ago when MySpace was at the top of the game. It was a break through in social media. Sure, there were others before. Remember Geocities? Actually, there was a whole TON of other social networking websites. However, MySpace changed the game. Everyone knew who Tom was. It seemed MySpace was here to stay. That did not end up being the case though. Today, the lonely blue Myspace ex-giant is struggling to survive and grasping at the last straws as it purchased Imeem.com - what used to be a music sharing site where it's users could stream, upload music and even create a personal profile. Even Tom is barely hanging by the last thread.
Take a look at the unique number of visitors MySpace received last year compared Facebook :
No wonder MySpace is so desperate. Desperation doesn't look so good on the previous social media craze favorite. Previous Imeem users aren't happy campers. From one day to the other, the website disappeared in the abyss that is the world wide web. It was not until a month later that Myspace restored Imeem user playlists (if you take a look at the comments you will also notice the aggravation users are not shy to stress when it comes to this whole ordeal).
Imeem had had tons of trouble with the law when it came to copyright infringements and they were clearly not making enough money. It was bound to be pushed off the face of the web. How is MySpace going to incorporate Imeem into it's website though?
MySpace is dead. Personally, I haven't logged into my account since 2008 and I don't know many who have. Focusing on it's strength, music, is a valid attempt to try to hold on for its life. The site has been on the decline since 2008. Used started straying to better friendly site such as Facebook and Twitter. Today Facebook boast around 300 million regular users while Myspace doesn't have but a third of that.
A lot of that third still logging in to MySpace are artists. Why would you want to hire someone to build your band a website at the cost of $50/h when you can crate one for free using MySpace? MySpace was a big part of this online music revolution - especially for local bands (Owl City to name one).
Still, Imeem users are still feeling the annoyance. As MySpace threads water under the shadow of Facebook, I don't think we will be hearing much from them in the next 5 years.
Take a look at the unique number of visitors MySpace received last year compared Facebook :
No wonder MySpace is so desperate. Desperation doesn't look so good on the previous social media craze favorite. Previous Imeem users aren't happy campers. From one day to the other, the website disappeared in the abyss that is the world wide web. It was not until a month later that Myspace restored Imeem user playlists (if you take a look at the comments you will also notice the aggravation users are not shy to stress when it comes to this whole ordeal).
Imeem had had tons of trouble with the law when it came to copyright infringements and they were clearly not making enough money. It was bound to be pushed off the face of the web. How is MySpace going to incorporate Imeem into it's website though?
MySpace is dead. Personally, I haven't logged into my account since 2008 and I don't know many who have. Focusing on it's strength, music, is a valid attempt to try to hold on for its life. The site has been on the decline since 2008. Used started straying to better friendly site such as Facebook and Twitter. Today Facebook boast around 300 million regular users while Myspace doesn't have but a third of that.
A lot of that third still logging in to MySpace are artists. Why would you want to hire someone to build your band a website at the cost of $50/h when you can crate one for free using MySpace? MySpace was a big part of this online music revolution - especially for local bands (Owl City to name one).
Still, Imeem users are still feeling the annoyance. As MySpace threads water under the shadow of Facebook, I don't think we will be hearing much from them in the next 5 years.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Really NPR?
Taken a look at NPR's The Decade's 50 Most Important Recordings?
I ran into it last night and... is it only me or is it a little disappointing?
What about Of Montreal's Hissing, Fauna are you the Destroyer? Girl Talk was huge at one point in the last decade. Modest Mouse, Good News for People Who Love Bad News anyone? Mr. M Ward released several records - including Post War. They gave a brief mention Fleet Foxes self titled album Fleet Foxes - but it did not place in the list. They're a young band, but worthy of the list in my opinion. Not a huge fan of the British band Arctic Monkeys, but they were everywhere in 2008. No Yeah Yeah Yeah It's Blitz? Long hail the Dirty Projector's Bitte Orca! Where is it? I've been hearing great things about them since for a couple years now. What about Phoenix? MGMT by all means?
Woah woah woah buddy. I can go on forever.
Most importantly though, no Grizzly ? Really now... Every "Album of the year" blog posts I've read has placed them at least in the top 10. We even saw them in the Volkswagen Super Bowl XLIV ad this year.
Some insight anyone?
I ran into it last night and... is it only me or is it a little disappointing?
What about Of Montreal's Hissing, Fauna are you the Destroyer? Girl Talk was huge at one point in the last decade. Modest Mouse, Good News for People Who Love Bad News anyone? Mr. M Ward released several records - including Post War. They gave a brief mention Fleet Foxes self titled album Fleet Foxes - but it did not place in the list. They're a young band, but worthy of the list in my opinion. Not a huge fan of the British band Arctic Monkeys, but they were everywhere in 2008. No Yeah Yeah Yeah It's Blitz? Long hail the Dirty Projector's Bitte Orca! Where is it? I've been hearing great things about them since for a couple years now. What about Phoenix? MGMT by all means?
Woah woah woah buddy. I can go on forever.
Most importantly though, no Grizzly ? Really now... Every "Album of the year" blog posts I've read has placed them at least in the top 10. We even saw them in the Volkswagen Super Bowl XLIV ad this year.
Some insight anyone?
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Distaster and Relief Funds: Musicians, Fans and the Internet
As you all may know, on Tuesday Jaunuray 12 of this year, the country of Haiti was hit with a massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake. It was a disaster that silenced the world and moved numerous people to reach a lending hand out. Many music artists joined to perform shows across the US in hopes to raise money for the distraught population of Haiti. Going the extra mile, many of these cocerned artists used their talent, fan base and the internet to raise money for those in need.
Artists like Wilco chose to post free downloads of show footage on their website with a message encouraging their fans to donate at least $15 to organizations like Doctors Without Borders and OXFAM. You will also notice the many causes Wilco supports and advocate for if you follow that link.
Across the Atlantic Ocean, Wales natives- Los Campesinos!- went ahead and auctioned off the very first glockenspiel they ever used for close to $700.
Orenda Fink from the duo, Azure Ray chose to offer a free download of her CD Invisible Ones through a post in their website along with a description of her experience with Haiti in hopes her fans would donate to the cause. She goes on to feature several links to organizations such as the Red Cross and Yele Haiti.
Renowned band, U2, who are well known for their activism posted an announcement in their website promoting the CD Hope for Haiti Now. This CD was put together featuring artists like Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, Rihanna, and Jay-Z as a way to raise money for Haiti. 100% of the proceedings for this CD are being donated to aid the wounded country.
Especially in this time of need, the world wide connector that is the internet has yet again proven to be an indispensable tool.
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