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New Music Business Briefing: EMI Shows Gains, Rollng Stone Declares Major Labels Dead & More

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>>> EMI is reporting early sales gains from its DRM free experiment. (Bloomberg) Expect further acceleration by the Fall as Amazon and other stores come online with DRM free and other labels expand experimentation all sparking consumer interest.

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>>> Rolling Stone Magazine looks at the decline in the record business. "There’s no hope in sight." (RS) Nothing new here, but when the mainstream media says you’re over…

  >>> The RIAA has been dealt a blow as a New Mexico court denies a motion for discovery. (Ars)

>>> The iPhone will be set up to stream YouTube according to Apple. (Reuters)

>>> Universal had until midnight to respond to the EU iTune’s probe. (FMQB)

>>> NYC VENUE BATTLES CONTINUE – The new 600 seat Highline Ballroom got a boost with a surprise performance by Paul McCartney. (more) The Bowery Present’s new Brooklyn venue to launch with Patti Smith. (Billboard.biz)

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  1. Re: Rolling Stone article –
    As much as it has become popular belief to say that the CD and the music industry is dead, I think people are jumping the gun about this “death.” Yes, the music industry screwed up royally by not hopping on to Napster in 2000, and Hilary tha thug (credits: a poster on the Velvet Rope) was no help by calling the consumers THIEVES, but instead of looking for a NEW business model, why not go right back to basics?
    Piracy will be around forever, but if there is anything that the digital era has shown us, it is that people want singles. Look at the “NOW!” collections, nothing but top singles on one album. That is no coincidence, I’d say.
    The Industry took away the physical single, so we decided to either steal it or buy it from iTunes. Bring back the physical single, and release a handful of sinlges prior to releasing a full album. Sure, it won’t immediately save the industry, and you’d have to get the idea of the physical single back into the conscious of the culture, but I think it’s a step in the right direction and worth the monetary investment.
    Physical items will never die. DVDs are continuously growing and developing in quality (HD and BlueRay), and if Harry Potter sales are any indication, people would rather own a book than read a PDF. The palpable part of music isn’t dead, the people in charge just don’t know how to sell it anymore.
    As far as the industry trying to dip into an artist’s touring and merch profits…unless the labels are footing part of the bill to MAKE my merchandise and help me tour, than I’d rather not sign. It’s just going too far by cutting into profits outside of my recordings.

  2. Major labels once understood how to build an artists career. They understood tour support and the need to feed the artist until the public caught up. They lost sight when MBA became important letters on a resume. The record business was once run by people who loved music, not just stock dividends. No question that the label must be profitable but, that can only happen when deserving acts are helped to grow and reach their monetary potential. Dumping new growing acts that only sell 50,000 to 100,000 units is akin to baseball giving up the farm team system. Tomorrow’s stars come from today’s sweat. Success takes time, patience and commitment. That’s why the indies continue to live and grow and the majors are in such trouble.

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