ARTISTS | creative deconstruction

Why Innovation Is Not Enough to Build a Brand (Or a Band)

Posted on 01. Feb, 2010 by refe.

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Innovation is important. It elevates a product beyond simple retail and causes it to become a catalyst for change in the marketplace and culture. Innovation is also notoriously elusive. Today’s stroke of genius could be tomorrow’s old news. Worse, that first-to-market concept you’ve been hustling to get out the door could be short-circuited by the [...]

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Spotify No More Indie-Friendly than Radio?

Posted on 23. Nov, 2009 by refe.

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When Pandora and Last.fm arrived on the scene and Spotify was still just a twinkle in Daniel Ek’s eye, many independent artists and fans looked to online music streaming as a new beginning. These services promised a more democratic approach to music discovery than traditional radio and offered the chance to wash away the stains [...]

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Why Music Still Needs the Underground

Posted on 02. Oct, 2009 by refe.

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The other day I was listening to one of the college radio stations here in Chicago and heard an old Death Cab for Cutie track. The song took me on a brief time warp back a few years to when the only people who knew that name were the indie-kids who accidentally stumbled on the [...]

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New Music Releases – September 22 2009

Posted on 21. Sep, 2009 by refe.

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Summer is coming to an end and the big releases are cranking up. This week brings us several highly anticipated releases, as well as one or two that I am personally excited about.
As far as big name acts go, Pearl Jam’s Backspacer drops this week, the band’s first album since cutting ties with Sony Records. [...]

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The Importance of Innovation in Music

Posted on 31. Aug, 2009 by refe.

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As a music listener, what is the most important factor that determines whether or not you like a particular song, or album, or artist? The last couple of posts I’ve published have produced quite a few comments that seem to consider innovation to be the litmus test. That doesn’t surprise me at all, and I’d [...]

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“An Old Man’s Perspective” on the Current State of Rock and Roll

Posted on 27. Aug, 2009 by refe.

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I received this email yesterday from a man named David Sherbow in response to a comment I left on a post he had written. I felt like his perspective was worth sharing, so I’ve included his message in its entirety:

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New Music Releases August 25th 2009

Posted on 26. Aug, 2009 by refe.

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Lot’s of new releases this week including Blizten Trapper’s highly engaging Black River Killer, and Mew’s excessively titled No More Stories Are Told Today I’m Sorry They Washed Away No More Stories the World is Grey I’m Tired Let’s Wash Away.
Imogen Heap’s Ellipse officially launched this week with a deluxe edition that includes a [...]

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New Music Releases – August 18th 2009

Posted on 18. Aug, 2009 by refe.

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There are a few solid new releases this week. Australia’s Temper Trap is one that I can definitely recommend that you check out (I think Australia may be taking over the world – or at least this blog recently!) The vinyl edition of The Cave Singers Welcome Joyis a solid offering, boasting melodic guitar-driven folk rock [...]

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Deconstructing the Week in Music 8.10-8.16

Posted on 16. Aug, 2009 by refe.

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Here’s a recap of what went on in the music industry this week. Make sure to check out anything you might have missed and leave your comments. Know something we don’t? Submit a story.

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Performance Rights Act Discussed in Heated Senate Hearing

Posted on 05. Aug, 2009 by refe.

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The Senate judiciary hearing on performance rights and parity was held yesterday on capitol hill to discuss the controversial Performance Rights Act. If you are unfamiliar with the bill you should know that it carries significant implications for the music industry. If this bill passes, terrestrial radio will be required to pay royalties to the performers [...]