guest column
Avenged Sevenfold’s M. Shadows: Why the Future of Music Is Web3 (Guest Column)
Over the past year, I’ve had dozens of conversations with bands, managers and labels looking to get into NFTs. Many, I feel, are missing the point when it comes to the possibilities of Web3. Beneath the flashy ape jpegs, FOMO and hype is a tool that, if used correctly, facilitates a new form of engagement and transparency for artists and communities alike. In fact, we now find ourselves at the crossroads of an old business model and a burgeoning technological breakthrough. Building the future is exciting, no doubt, but will bring a battle for power between the old guard and the musicians, artists, and creators shaping the Web3 music industry. The new world will bring artists and their communities closer than ever while providing true ownership over assets and relationships that music...
What the Metaverse Means for Music Creators (Guest Column)
There is a lot of buzz around the concept of a “Metaverse.” The company formerly known as Facebook recently announced its ambition to create a futuristic, immersive social experience, and to achieve this, it will become a new hub for listening to, discovering and interacting with music and music creators. Undoubtedly, music will be as important to the metaverse as it is to the real world. As Mark Zuckerberg recently told The Vergecast, “You might be able to jump into an experience, like a 3D concert or something, from your phone, so you can get elements that are 2D or elements that are 3D. … I think that this is going to be a really big part of the next chapter for the technology industry, and it’s something that we’re very excited about.” Merging social media, gaming, consumerism and othe...
Why Are We Still Measuring Artist Success With a Major Label Yardstick? (Guest Column)
Even with the years-long pattern of independent artists increasing their market share — MIDIA estimated that in 2020, artist direct revenues jumped by nearly 35%, made up more than 5% of the global market and broke the billion-dollar mark — the formula for artist success has been the same for practically a century. The top 1% of performers/entertainers are wealthy, powerful and famous stars and the remaining musicians, songwriters, performers and artists are considered failures. If the music of the 99% does not fit the mold of commercial radio or the hot new app, it doesn’t get past the major label or algorithm gatekeepers, so promoters, brands and marketers ignore it. This has an impact on the collective consciousness of what gets heard but also what is considered “good” or successful. Th...
