By: A. Brain
Music industry insiders are whining about the lack of consumer interest in new records these days, the piracy of music on the internet and conversely consumers are staying away in droves and, get this…making their own music. Websites like MacBand, BrooklynBoy, GarageBand, and CDBaby are touting the best new and independent music right on the web. Garageband.com says:
"Since 1999, thirteen bands discovered by GarageBand.com have been signed by major record labels, and one has already gone double-platinum! Many more have scored publishing, production, or licensing deals, in some cases directly because of exposure on GarageBand.com.
Of course, we can't promise that you'll get signed. But 75,000 bands can't be wrong!”
And a very popular aspect of GarageBand is the forum where listeners get to play Simon Cowell with other people's hopes and dreams:
Wow, that is the first bad review I have had for that song. It would be nice if you had said something intelligent or constructive.
1: You're a complete backwoods [naughty bits deleted].
2: You're generic ass brand of early 90's country is weak.
3: If making songs means I have to talk about bacon and [naughty bits deleted], then I'll continue on my path of not making songs.
4: If you don't like modern effects it is because you're old and tired.
5: Don't you ever get tired of writing the same boring song that everyone else on the radio is writing? Oh, of course you don't because you have twenty carbon copy rip offs on your own band page. Honestly, is there an original bone in your body? You're like a watered down version of the Charlie Daniel's Band.
So, if I should go play some video games, I guess you should go shoot some guns and force yourself on your daughter or something. In short, eat [naughty bits deleted].
Love,
Ryan
I must admit that the violent nature of the letter punctuated by the "Love, Ryan" really won me over. But back to my point that people aren't waiting around for Sony, Interscope, Capitol or anybody else to speak to their specific music tatses, but rather going out and making their own music is priceless.