Spotify, i-Tunes and the X-Frigging-Factor – Fran Ashcroft

Fran Ashcroft:

Spotify, i-Tunes and the X-Frigging-Factor

All I seem to read on music biz sites and messageboards are ongoing arguments about file sharing, Spotify, i-Tunes and the X-Factor.

Has music really become such a disposable commodity, nothing more than light entertainment? It’s supposed to be more than that. If it’s meaningless, it’s worthless; that may explain declining record sales more than file sharing does.

There have been times when pop music was somewhat socially and artistically important, when records enriched people’s lives in a meaningful way. This has always been when artists were the engine driving everything, not labels, accountants, managers, producers or technology.

Ask yourself what leaps of artistic progress and innovation have been made in the last five years? Last 10 years?

Where are the pioneering indie e-labels that should be pumping out cutting edge download only singles like there’s no tomorrow?

There should have been an explosion of them by now. It’s cheaper to record and release records than it’s ever been. And promo takes more time than money, if truth be told – hats off to the BBC for allowing anyone to upload their tracks for a shot at some airplay. I wouldn’t like to A&R the ocean of stuff they must get every week, but they do genuinely play new artists who don’t always have a plugger or school tie to get them in  the door.

I know this is true as I’m working with a young band right now who got a feature slot on Radio One just a few weeks ago. I assumed labels had been sniffing around. No, not one, they said – we have a hard time just getting gigs.

Makes you wonder who’s listening, eh?