Music sharing online.
File sharing and online downloading considerably change the way music is consumed. Before we were able to download music of the internet you had to go out and buy the CD or way back the Tape. Now a days any type of music is right at your finger tips. There's no need to even leave you house. I think downloading has increased the different types of music people listen to, its a much easier way to get music and therefore encourages people to try new stuff. I still like to own the actual CD but the cost is what puts me off, if you can download something for a lot cheaper then surly you'd do that.
Any band could 'make it' through social networking sites and content sharing sites as anyone and everyone can gain access to them. Sites such as Myspace and Last Fm allow any one to put their music online and try and spread the word. This obviously means their music can reach those it wouldn't otherwise. Myspace allows you to send message to users telling them about your band and encouraging them to listen to the music. Last Fm is slightly different, as it takes in consideration to what music a user listens to and then reccommends other artists that are similar, allowing users to find new music, any artist can register and use this site.
I think this has and will continue to change popular music, the more bands and artists people find out about the wider their range of music taste, obviously the more fans a band has the more albums and download sales they get increasing their popularity and therefore allowing any band/artist to become part of the 'Popular music scene'. I know a lot of bands that I've liked and my friends have never really listened too and just said no I don't like them, but as soon as the music has been aired on the radio or become 'big' they decide that they too love that band!!!
The idea of maybe not needing media companies as people can produce and distribute their products with out the need for anyone elses help is an interesting one. I think its great that underground bands can produce their own music with the new technologies of computers and home recording systems and that they can then put it online for anyone to listen to for free with out the need of a record company or a label. However I do think there is need for record labels as with out them bands would have a lot less chance of getting their music on the radio and published in magazines and other mediums, there own media they could use with out one would be the interent and can you become popular just through the interent????????..........
arghh i just wrote a comment for this and then the page died! I completely agree with your points about music downloading. I would like to think that some people still go out and buy music instead of illegally downloading, but if you don't know a band, do you really want to go and spend money on the album. I think record labels should work with disributors and offer sample tracks, so that if people like the band they can go out and buy the album. I realise myspace already offers a form of this but not for every single band.
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