Monday, September 03, 2007
Music business savior?
I like Rick Rubin. I like him because he's a brilliant producer -- he's done terrific work with Tom Petty, the Dixie Chicks and LL Cool J, among many others -- and because he cares about music. He took on Johnny Cash when Cash had been left for dead by Nashville, and he saw through Neil Diamond's 1970s and '80s soppiness to the crisp songwriter who did fine work for Bang and Uni in the '60s.
I think I like Rick Rubin even more now, given his comments in Sunday's New York Times Magazine profile. Rubin has been brought in to help run Columbia Records and, perhaps, rejuvenate the record business, which has insisted on shooting itself in the foot, face and eardrums for the past several years. (You could argue -- I could argue -- the major labels have been doing that for the past several decades, but we'll leave that discussion for another time.) So here's Rubin on the challenge: "So many of the decisions at these companies have not been about the music," he said. "They sign artists for the wrong reasons -- because they think somebody else wants them or if they need to have a record out by a certain date. That old way of doing things is obsolete, but luckily, fear is making the record companies less arrogant. They're more open to ideas." Of course, that could be wishful thinking on Rubin's part. The major record companies may continue to do things the way they always did, and this time that inability to change may force them out of business. I wonder how many people will shed tears over that demise. Rubin can always head back to producing and making great music, and musicians will find some other means of distribution -- many already have. But I'm rooting for Rubin, anyway. Given his track record, he's easy to root for. 9 Comments
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Good luck Rick! The model is broken and its not going to be easy to fix.
Check out my website for independent artists.. These are artists who are reaching millions without a record label. http://www.indieheaven.com
Unfortunately, most record execs aren't old enough to remember the similar mistakes that were made in the early 60's with Rock and Roll.
The industry was saved by the Beatles and others who followed. It's much worse now with the c'rap (not music) they're force-feeding us. We're about 25 years overdue for a LIGIMATE phenom.
I am all for the change. As a FEMALE artist who has been facing the disgusting aspects of the industry for 10 years.. its about time music gets put out by artists the right way and not by use or wrong reason..
Time for solid ethical leaders and artists to take the forefront again and to get rid of the money making scoundrels.. Indra~
I agree with Rick Rubin
and I am all for change... Now is the time to bring back the true artists to lead and to help. Now is the time to make way for ethical choices and to get rid of the money making scoundrals. Now is the time to bring some beauty back in the world and to get rid of the noise and One producer with - the vision on the inside should be able to make some strides to bringing the realism of artistry back out to the world opposed to just creating a product. Indra~
It's quite a shame that the music industry has come to this. I wish Rubin luck because he's going to need it. I'm just afraid that it's too late for a savior - and that a total death to the industry is what's needed so it can be reborn.
The music hasn't gone away or even died as some people have said it's just not being promoted or played on the radio any more.
As an example check out these links on this indie label and you will see the quality is still there. http://www.dreamscaperecordsltd.com/artist_16.htm http://www.dreamscaperecordsltd.com/artist_extrovert.htm?id=2&lng=e http://www.dreamscaperecordsltd.com/artist_1.htm or check out the artists on MySpace.com. There is so much excellent music out there it just needs to be brought to the buying public's attention.
Rubin should take a listen to Mike Krum. Amazing Indie Artist. Definitely the next Billy Joel of the new generation.
www.myspace.com/mikekrummusic
while im optimistic about rick rubin being at columbia it seems that no one understands the problem.
this is about way more than a way to distribute music. all of the comments on here talk about good music being out there and people just needing to find it. well, thats called promotion and promotion costs $$$. big $. $ a record company has that few else do. it use to be bands played clubs and toured to get their name out. now with dvd's, video games, home theaters, and computers most people dont go out to shows. which in turn means less clubs can stay open. which in turn means less places to play. which in turn means the clubs pay the bands less because they can since the bands just need somewhere to play. now add in the fact that gas prices are high. a band driving 4-5 hours for a show and making $35 is whats killing this business. clubs dont promote properly and people have a gazillion other choices on which to spend their entertainment dollar. the industry is eating itself alive. and i see it everyday when i work. |
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