Rock & Roll, Social Media & The Internet!!!! Matches made in Heaven?
Well, maybe not in heaven, but how about here on earth? I’ve been in the SEO business for about four years and in the music industry for almost 12. There has been an obvious love/hate relationship growing over the past 10 years with labels and online music downloads. Some may say that the internet was the apocalypse of the record label industry, while others simply think it’s the product of what humanity has become and is developing into. However, despite these conflicts, I see how Social Media has finally stepped in and has extinguished the flame.
We all know that the glorious days of going to our local record store and browsing through the endless aisles of ear candy, are pretty much done or nearly extinct. Seems like if you want to get close to that experience these days, you have to pick up some mouthwash at Target and browse onto the other side of the mega store through the 4 aisles of what Target calls their “music department”. Definitely not as exciting as it used to be! But wait, there are other options. You can hop in your car or take a plane and travel to far distant lands called Hollywood, Berkeley or San Francisco and visit the last of the true infamous independent record stores world famous “Amoeba Records”. Well back to reality. Going to Amoeba isn’t an option for 99% of all music fans, so we’ll just leave that out. Instead, most people are left with something else that isn’t too bad… the Internet!
Finding music on the internet isn’t new news at all. However, I wonder if the internet was truly the end of the music industry as we’ve all known it or the birth of something new? On top of that we have to really ask ourselves, “Isn’t it simply the way that we’re evolving in society”? Seems like we may be getting a bit lazier these days and the idea of going out and picking up the latest new release isn’t on the agenda. Instead, it’s much more convenient to order something with the click of a button and PRESTO!!! You got it!
Now, whether or not you paid for it is another issue. I’ve been on both ends of that boat; as a musician and as a fan. I understand the struggle it is to make music, release it and hope that it will actually sell, giving you a chance to possibly make some money from it. I also understand what it’s like to be broke. It seems easy to have something for free when it’s so accessible, even though stealing is stealing regardless of the situation. So no, I don’t like taking music for free. If you can’t pay for it, then don’t steal it.
Now back to the extinguisher. Social Media has filled a huge connectivity gap between fans, record labels, industry people and anyone else involved. For over a decade we’ve limited ourselves to comments, ratings, and message boards in order to bring our communities together. Before Social Media, emotional context was best expressed with techniques such as using ALL CAPS or typed emotions. However, in the absence of face-to-face contact, these techniques are inadequate as tools of true human expression. Today’s internet with Social Media provides tools to musicians, fans, industry folks and your everyday web surfer, keeping the industry alive, exciting and vibrant. In other words-bringing back that face-to-face connection. The invention of MySpace, Facebook and Twitter has linked the virtual expression to the masses. While blogs gave users a platform to express themselves, it was (and still is) at its core a one-way medium. The true power of a social network is its ability to rapidly connect ideas by linking friends, fans and colleagues, dynamically in real-time.
Rock and Roll and the internet go hand in hand. Artists these days have exclusive goodies only available on the internet, endless communication, information, multiple social media networks and a nice little online store called iTunes. Fans love to keep in touch and have the sense that they’re close to the artists they admire so much. Same goes for the Artist who likes the feedback and contact with their fans. Labels and promoters also have the ability to benefit from these Social Media tools, bringing them back into their familiar territory with the strength needed. These are amazing tools that in my opinion only help the music industry perform their goals in a more efficient way. Independent bands can truly stay independent and actually be heard/ discovered. While bigger labels can promote their products as well and still stay connected with what their consumers want. In the end we’re all happy campers. Not only can you apply Social Media to music but you can apply this to all products and services. Think about this one… What would The Beatles become in their early cavern days with Social media and the internet???
Related posts:
