I've been thinking about quitting the blog over the last few weeks. Work has been a nightmare and the commute is long and tiring. I also got hit by a load of DMCA takedowns, which are threatening and horrible. I've always tried to blog responsibly and the last thing I want is to deprive musicians and creators from valuable income, especially in these difficult times. I have always been scrupulous in accepting no advertising or taking ANY offers of links, money, partnerships or inducements to blog things I've been sent. This is truly a labour of love.
I'm not sure how this is going to turn out. Is there still a role for blogs in the post Spotify world, full of legit music download sites? Has the gap that I was filling now been filled?
I honestly don't know.
Thoughts?
29 comments:
Since you inspired me to start blogging I think you should reconsider. I think all bloggers are living under the threat of DMCA takedown notices and the situation is getting worse. Maybe soundcloud is the way forward? I know the stuff I post is quite old but if you're not out to make any profit and just wish to "spread the word" I don't see the problem. It's disheartening but if we all threw iin the towel there would be no blogosphere.
Jon G
Thoughtful posts add context & value to the music - reading your blog is educational & worthwhile. Thank you.
Spotify is no substitute for any quality blog.
Know that you're appreciated, regardless of whatever decision you make!
I periodically go through the same thing and thoughts and fret about it. I don't know what the answer is. I'm still at it but I don't know for how long.
It would be a gruesome loss. So much good (and pretty rare) music I've discovered through this blog. Please keep on. At least until it doesn't make a legal threat for you.
As someone who subscribes to Spotify and has never bought as many CDs as I do these days (I'm 45 tomorrow), I would have to say 'Yes', there is absolutely a need for blogs such as yours.
For one thing, much of the kind of thing you post cannot be found on Spotify. How are we to hear of the more obscure new releases, if not through blogs such as this one? And, once we've heard of the item, how can we listen to it to decide whether we want to buy it?
It's a different kettle of fish when you post material that isn't new, although, even then, it's often deleted material that isn't otherwise easily obtained. There isn't much commercial mileage left in it.
Only rarely do you post something that makes me wonder why you posted it, because it's brand new, readily available and can be heard before buying. In those cases, it might be more appropriate to post your review as usual, but leave the files out. I repeat, though, that this is the exception, rather than the rule, where your postings are concerned.
Rather than deprive musicians of money, your blog has contributed to the coffers of several musicians, because, after downloading and hearing their music here, I sought out the official release, be it CD or download only. From my point of view, then, this blog is costing me money, but not musicians.
I recognise, of course, that my behaviour may be exceptional. I don't know how many people download the music you offer and never part with a penny. That's for them and their conscience, but in my case, the existence of this blog has introduced me to music I would not otherwise of discovered and directly benefited the musicians involved.
Yours is one of only two music blogs I subscribe to and read as every posting appears. Other blogs I consult only when I'm actively looking for something. That speaks volumes about the quality of what you offer.
That said, I can understand that the factors you list must weigh heavily on you. A hard job, a long commute and the threat of legal action don't motivate a person to blog, especially when financial hardship may be the end result and even more so when one doubts whether what one is doing is even relevant in the modern context.
For my money, it is relevant, and may your work long continue.
Thank you.
Spotify and the like don't point people to the same sort of places as blogs do. If it hadn't been for you I would never have come across the splendors of Daughter of the Industrial Revolution and other gems which I can't remember off the top of my head. You have also by posting some of the old dance stuff let me sit on my lazy arse and not need to rip stuff that I really should have.
Blogging is a bit of a bind at times and when work and home life are full on, I sometimes feel a bit guilty about spending time on the laptop when I should be engaged in real life and at other times feel guilty about posting half arsed posts that really deserved more time. But it is also a release for me from everything else.
It is up to you but you would be sorely missed if you did give up.
All the best, whatever you decide to do
I don't think file-sharing deprives artists of income in a way that outweighs the increased exposure creators get when their work is downloaded on blogs. Depending on the artist, the majority of that money may be going to management, etc, anyway. It's not as if all creators are looking to create something just to make money. Independent creators may have no other way to be heard at all.
Here's an element that has so far not been considered - as an artist, I depend on having actual copies of files so I can sample them. Spotify will not help you do that, though the output could be jankily recorded. People will always prefer to have their own copy if possible. This streaming service frenzy is nothing but a bandwagon, and I don't understand how the income generated from subscription services actually benefits artists at $10 a month. For example, my work is probably not even on Spotify because I'm not affiliated with a major label. Thus, in effect, the world 'does not care' about my work or the work of many other talented artists. The only way to even be heard as an artist nowadays is to give the majority of your tracks out for free anyway. For many starting out the choice is as follows - do you want to be heard or do you want to hold out, not make any money, and not be heard? In the end, there's no real economic strings attached to honest culture. There's not much of a market for music anymore. Really we will be left with a select few who get paid and the rest of us will be associated out of passion.
If the DMCA squad is attacking file-sharing for the benefit of artists, and they are honest about that, then you'd think they would find it more effective to regulate music management companies who rip off artists in the first place - you'd think they would find it more effective to simply provide funding for the arts. Clearly, it's all about big institutions. Do you want to take your blog down and help them win? Please don't.
File-sharing is what we're supposed to be doing. Keep it up.
I think sharing rare/out of print/limited releases that could not be obtained otherwise remains completely valid in this post-spotify world. You may occasionally come across re-issues where some of tracks may be obtained, but usually not in their complete form. I'd like to see you continue for this reason and to share your taste in music that your followers obviously appreciate very much.
If it's getting too much then take a break, or blog less - don't give it up entirely. As the responses here show there's a lot of people out who appreciate what you're doing.
DCMA is the Criminal Justice Act of our generation - an impossibly ineffective attempt to turn back the tide. Fostering a love of rare and under-appreciated music is GOOD for the music industry.
Sincere thanks for these comments. I'm having a slight wobble, but still enjoy doing this.
Onwards, then, eh?
NM.
And what do to those people which can't to buy the given releases. I here for example live in Russia far from Moscow and we don't have good musical shops. To order by mail it is very difficult.
Please continue we wait for your reviews.
I'm not going to try to convince you to carry on blogging because that would be rather selfish and you need to do what's right for you. I absolutely understand that life and lawyers might get in the way of what is a very worthwhile and influential contribution to music.
What I love about your blog is that I discover artists and genres that I would never otherwise come across through other media & services but also that you provide the intelligent and insightful journalism to make it a whole lot more educational and fun.
Dear Nolan,
I just want to complement some of the other comments, saying that your blog has been an invaluable source of music I otherwise would never listen, since I live in Brazil, and record stores are all but dead in the city that I live, a medium-sized (for Brazilian standards), whenever I want something that is not offered in the "music section" of a chain store, I have to contact an independent importer who happens to be my friend, and sometimes even he finds it impossible to get the record that I want, since he works with a catalogue. And, to make things even worse, I have to pay a lot -- usually double the original price -- for the records. Buying directly from sites abroad would be an option, if the Brazilian postal service was as good as it was a decade ago, but it no longer is. Sometimes the merchandise does not even reach the addressee, getting "lost" (i.e. *stolen* by some corrupt employee).
In other words, I wish you could continue with the great job you've doing over the last years.
From Brazil.
I would miss non-corporate opinion - not just the absence of big corporate cannons, but the feeling of being in the presence of a single free (not-for-profit) voice. Then there's the joy of nosing around in the hinterlands - I like that the internet and music blogs can satisfy this without me leaving my home. Before the internet, I got this from visiting independent record shops (I was probably fitter too).
Plus I'm fond of vinyl rips. Maybe when they start selling those @320 for 80 pence each on iTunes you can call it a day.
Spotify is one step in the right direction, and I have mixed feelings about the megaupload takedown that has, I think, led to a transitional era for (rather than an end of) music blogs. Sharers are more paranoid, because mostly they are sensible people.
Keep up the good work, you're one of the best.
Nothing I can add that hasn't been said already. If you feel you have to / want to stop then fair enough, but you'd be sorely missed.
Having just bought the FLK on CD from Norman Records I can say that there most certainly is a space for blogs like yours. I for one would definately miss it.
This is an essential blog. Please carry on.
Ctel
as an artist who's many different music projects releases both creative commons digital and pay for cd/albums has been shared by blogs like this one in the past my feeling is strongly that blogs like this one and other similar ones are for one key to helping get the message out about quality music, its free promo as I see it. be it if the material gets posted before or after the material is released, good or bad review of the material it is free promo as I see it. As a second point I never have seen that having my albums, 12 inches, CDs or pay for digital releases posted for download before or after the release date as taking potential sales or money away from me. I have a larger beef with labels who never pay artists for product sold, that is who the real pirates and thieves are!!! If any thing blogs like this one and others make my music more available to people, I know many radio show hosts who give up on getting promo from a label who should be sending my material them to play and who turn to these blogs... I make money from that radio air play or when an employee at a coffee shop or a store plays my music that they downloaded off a blog... its public broadcast that monitors like SOCAN in Canada and BMI in the US collect royalty money from which comes to me in the end. so In directly blogs like yours and others like it are helping artists like myself who cant depend on labels to do promo or who avoid paying artists for product sold... your doing artists and fans a like a huge service!!! Please dont stop!!!
what Ctel said .. that's all i wanted to say
I think your role is akin to that of a curator. I would not have heard of most of the new stuff you post here and for which I am grateful. You've introduced me to some great new stuff, and reminded of some great old stuff too. Actually you've introduced me to some great old stuff too. I don't really use Spotify but do not imagine that it's so comprehensive that it would include (for example) old, limited edition, vinyl only Julian Cope remixes. I hope you carry on but do understand that it must be pretty time consuming and that the real world sometimes has to take priority. Whatever you decide you have my gratitude for this amazing blog. All the best, N
I love what you do and hope you have the patience and will to stick with it. Most of the music you post is so rare and as good as unobtainable to people like me so I love what you do and really appreciate having my musical eyes opened!.
All the best, cheers psorb40
Please stay with it. Yours is one of the few music blogs I regularly frequent. Thanks for all your thoughtful postings!
Hi Nolan,
The DCMA notices are annoying. I can see that protecting interests of artists is valid. However, at least a third of the notices I've had are inaccurate - their spider has just found a page that has both the name of one of their clients and a link to an mp3. Of course, you don't challenge these as you don't want to stick your head above the parapet. They do make the humble blogger feel very isolated though. So it's good to hear someone else's experience. Perhaps, if we all talk about them more, it will be easier.
SOPA is an even bigger threat that would, I believe, stop enthusiasts from promoting music they believed in - as well as stopping people who just post whole, legitimately-available albums.
DCMA is just a pain, IMHO, rather than a threat, though I did get my entire Mediafire account 'cleaned' the other week which means there's hardly any of my 500 or so posts with an mp3 actually attached now. Maybe that's fair to 'rights holders' though.
Cheers,
Stephen.
This River Never Will Run Dry blog.
Family first,our ears second,but boy do you own our ears!
Keep on rockingandrollingnolan.
Keep 'em coming, Mr Micron. You inspired me to do that one I did a few years back and many more as well, I'm sure.
Great tunes, great chat - pointing me onto stuff I wouldn't have normally got to and have subsequently bought. Is that not what it's all about?
I will miss the blogworld of old....I have purchased a fair bit of stuff that I have downloaded,got turned on to loads of new sounds and alot of stuff I have downloaded is either out of print or virtually impossible to find so I can't see why sharing that is a problem.
When I look for stuff now most links are dead or removed luckily over the last couple of years I have downloaded about 16,000 tunes all backed up and enjoyed running my own blog for a little while too.
Best of Luck !
J
I would be gutted if you stopped. Your taste in music so mirrors mine. I've got the wife, the kids, the relentless grind of job, mortgage and bills. This is a shard of light into when I was young, carefree and music mattered. Your blog keeps it all together. Great music, great memories and enough new stuff to keep this old brain and ears working.
Long may it last. Just remember this stuff you do does not just drop into an empty black hole. It touches people. I apologise that you just don't get this feedback often enough.
Keep the faith, keep listening, keep posting
Love is legit, proper of being free. The music of this blog it's also a freedom product! That's we need!
Thanks
long live nolan micro !!
Post a Comment