Waxy’s Andy Baio has taken a statistical look at how the record industry has changed in the last fifty years, and it looks like there’s a good reason why you hate so much mainstream pop music: the variety of pop music is less than half of what it was in the sixties:

According to Billboard, the [...]

Clash Music has an interesting interview with synth music pioneer Jean Michel Jarre.
It touches on some very timely subjects, including the role of the Internet in music:
The Internet isn’t the only answer
I think that the Internet might become the ultimate marketing machine, but I also think that in maybe five years’ time, what will be [...]

New York Magazine has an interesting interview with Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. While the focus is on Reznor’s collaboration with Saul Williams, Reznor also cuts loose on the state of the music industry.
“It’s just an awkward time right now to be a musician,” says Reznor. “The reality is that people think it’s okay [...]

Nine Inch Nails announced at its site that it is going forward without a major-label contract.
I’ve waited a LONG time to be able to make the following announcement: as of right now Nine Inch Nails is a totally free agent, free of any recording contract with any label. I have been under recording contracts for [...]

While the RIAA argues unequivocally that the file-sharing services are hurting musicians, musicians have their own opinions. A new study shows that more musicians feel that file-sharing benefits them than feel that it hurts them. Most musicians feel that the RIAA suits against file-sharing music fans will not benefit either musicians or songwriters.
The new report, [...]

RIAA Mix - Bring on da Noise! Bring on da Funk! Claire Chanel and Scary Sherman finally figured out what is up with those crazy, noise-filled downloads that are flooding peer-to-peer networks. They are cutting edge noise-art, courtesy of the RIAA.
Claire Chanel and Scary Sherman have been keeping busy. First they put together the Jay-Z [...]

Downhill Battle is more than just a diatribe against the RIAA.
It’s hip, funny, and effective in the way it explains how the major labels work, how artists get screwed, and how there is an alternative.
The site has a great photo essay about printing & distributing major label warning stickers. It documents distributing 2,000 anti-RIAA stickers…at [...]

Downhill Battle, a web site devoted to music activism, always manages to make music activism fun.
They’ve made a list of 6 reasons to tell the RIAA where to go:

Music diversity will grow.
Pay-for-play radio will end.
Independent music won’t be marginalized.
The lawsuits will stop.
Artistic freedom will expand.
Musicians will make a better living.

The list is supported with explanations [...]