| A & R won't die, tribes must be created and | | | | knowledge with other artists and fans. This is the type |
| talent screened. But what does that mean? The point | | | | of artist who is going to succeed. The rest of them will |
| is this: At an ever increasing rate, artists are popping | | | | begin to fall by the way-side or just continue to tread |
| onto the scene looking to become known and get their | | | | water. The self-absorbed, out of touch artist cannot |
| music to enough people to make it popular (regardless | | | | continue to function in this new age of music and art. |
| of how popular, they want to know that there is an | | | | Note that this transition could be a long and gradual |
| audience who will consume it and pay for it). | | | | process. We still have the old entertainment machine |
| It is now well known that recording is becoming easier | | | | monetizing from its business model and a consumer |
| and cheaper than ever before and almost anyone can | | | | base that doesn't have a more engaging alternative. |
| begin to write/perform and record their musical works | | | | The bottom line to this and to life: We are here on this |
| with a laptop and some gear. Subsequently, we have | | | | planet to learn and grow and connect to other souls. |
| a marketplace that is saturated with a ton of music, | | | | That is what fulfills us, even if internally we feel afraid |
| much of it not being remarkable. So where does this | | | | of that and would prefer to just be a recluse and stay |
| leave the consumer and also the industry looking to | | | | at home and remain insulated. Connection helps us |
| find this talented music, pay for ownership of it or pay | | | | grow and helps bring us what we want. Remaining in |
| for use of this music in some sort of commercial | | | | an ivory tower leaves you feeling empty and longing to |
| product? | | | | have something other than what you've got. |
| Talent must remain dominant and new taste-makers | | | | Pop culture isn't going to die and the pulse of right now |
| must emerge that connect and engage fans and | | | | will remain relevant. |
| companies (think sponsorship, licensing, broadcasting, | | | | As consumers and people we seek what is |
| business partnering, etc). | | | | commonly liked, what is widely appreciated. There will |
| Despite where the music business may be heading, | | | | always be those who diverge from this because they |
| we are going to continue to need filters of content. | | | | don't want to fit the mold and there are those who will |
| With the shear volume of songs out there, someone | | | | continue to enjoy what a majority population deems |
| has to begin to filter through them and find the quality. | | | | as enjoyable and of good quality. |
| This is taking music back to the 50's type environment | | | | Regardless of if something hits on this 'pop' pulse, there |
| and we are going to see a complete rebuilding of the | | | | are some things that should remain constant to make |
| industry. In fact it won't be THE INDUSTRY anymore, | | | | sure you're creating a brand and product that stays in |
| but rather the industries that are comprised of genres, | | | | people's conscience. Content delivery must be regular, |
| niches and micro-niches of artists who are of superior | | | | engaging and imprint-able, this is marketing, this is |
| caliber and have sale-able product. It will be the top-tier | | | | monetize-able connection. With a genuine bond and |
| percentage of taste-makers, hit-sellers or commercial | | | | added value to someones' life, they will gladly pay for |
| gold miners that can aggregate this content and | | | | that addition. |
| develop strong relationships to buyers that will forge | | | | People follow and pay attention only to something that |
| ahead and continue to find financial success despite | | | | provides them with things they want in their own life, |
| the chaos that is happening. It is by having a strong | | | | things they are desiring (easier life, funnier life, happier |
| reputation that business succeeds. Word of mouth is | | | | life, richer life, etc). We hope that by reading, watching, |
| everything. Bridges must be built and not burned. | | | | or following we will become like what we're dreaming |
| Transparency will prevail and integrity cannot be | | | | of, regardless of whether it is conscious or |
| compromised anymore | | | | sub-conscious, reality or fantasy. |
| In this new age of the artist: We are knowledgeable, | | | | This representation of consumption is based on our |
| we are business entrepreneurs and we know how to | | | | desires to be part of something, connect, feel valued |
| sniff out if we're being lied to or are being exploited. | | | | and accepted. Even if that acceptance is by those |
| This is becoming more and more of a point of | | | | who scorn widely accepted things and prefer the |
| consciousness to artists and will continue. What this | | | | avant-garde and fringe. This group still seeks |
| means is that those who don't understand artists and | | | | acceptance. We want to be part of a tribe. We want |
| haven't walked in our shoes are never going to be | | | | to connect. |
| able to represent us and help grow our careers. The | | | | This is a more exciting time than ever before to begin |
| days of the suits are over! | | | | discovering new business models and establishing true |
| What is dawning now is the day of the artist as | | | | connections to our fellow beings on this planet Earth! |
| someone who wants to connect and share his art and | | | | |