Comments on: Reznor: It’s all free — accept it

By: david usher

david usher — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:19:08 +0000

that what i hope to but i really wonder if VC's will have the stomach for it. its pretty hard dealing with artists and the returns in music can be pretty hit and miss.

By: mathewi

mathewi — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:25:04 +0000

I agree, David — there is a gap there for new and up-and-coming
artists. I'd like to see a return to the days when smaller labels
acted almost like venture capital firms, finding and investing in
promising startups (although of course there are flaws with the VC
model as well).

By: david usher

david usher — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:19:08 +0000

that what i hope to but i really wonder if VC's will have the stomach for it. its pretty hard dealing with artists and the returns in music can be pretty hit and miss.

By: mathewi

mathewi — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:25:04 +0000

By: david usher

david usher — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:38:54 +0000

thanks mathew, i had a really great time at MESH and it was a real bonus to have David Gratton as moderator. as we talked about on the panel, i agree that music is seen as free and as artists are going to have to find their way in that model. i like all the things trent is doing (i love a shit disturber:) but, i also think that its easier for him and radiohead to experiment because of where they are in their careers. they both got famous in the 'traditional' music business. they both have large tech savy fan bases. and, they both get big mass media coverage when they try something fun.
when i think future model, i always try to think about up and coming artists. where the free model falls down a bit is in artist development. for many artists there is a point where they need funding to jump to that next level. to go from hobby to professional. with all the money draining from the music business there is less funding out there to help them make that leap.