The third installation of our four part Owl/Zebra saga for Never Shout Never debuted at Teen.com. I’ve embedded it here so hopefully you won’t have to deal with the bright ass, tacky preteen graphics and such:
One of the live videos that I directed for Band of Skulls is on YouTube. Check it out:
Band of Skulls “Light of the Morning”
The XX came out with such a good minimalist music video! I’m so mad I missed them at Coachella.
This is what I’m listening to:
The only surviving photographs from my 20th birthday dinner.
First off, I apologize for my lack of updates - I’ve spent this past week and a half getting back into the Los Angeles groove. I had a single day to unpack, reorganize everything and hang out with family. I also drove up the coast a bit and walked along the beach, met up with some friends, attended numerous Mexican dinners (Mexican food never gets old…) and spent a few evenings in Venice. In between, I scheduled pick-ups of equipment and attended shoots. So far, I’ve filmed a couple of pieces for Warner, purchased a brand new high definition camera (!!!) and sound kit, spent some time on commercial sets with family (learning about camera and sound techy stuff) and celebrated my 20th birthday. I’ve also spent a great deal of time in the Shangri-La Music office helping organize their video content and setting up a workstation of my own!
Things aren’t slowing down just yet. I’m running errands/delivering content tomorrow, filming with The Maine on Tuesday on their video shoot for “Into Your Arms”, editing a clip for Jack’s Mannequin and working out of the 2200 Main Street office for the remainder of the week.
Come visit me and let’s have lunch.
Music Download:
Gui Boratto – “Beautiful Life”
My utmost interest in the music industry has lived within the cracks of the independent labels and artists. In other words, the “independedness” that is now possible through the use of the Internet and social networking. I wouldn’t consider myself “anti,” but rather an advocate of using the benefits of the major label structure and correcting the faults that seem to reside in the corporate structure. I’m there to high-five those that find success independently and get a feeling of warmth from small, humble ventures. I see a sense of reality in those that take the risk of signing a “not-so-mainstream” artist or leaving behind the corporate-dome to follow a long lost dream. I, along with many others, left a corporation to pursue a more independent venture.
Lately, however, I have grown to see why the structure has worked in the music industry for so many years. I have been hostile towards them, simply because I saw unwillingness to accept that the Internet was going to revolutionize the music industry. After all, music spreads faster now than ever before. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ most recent album “It’s Blitz!” was leaked weeks before it was supposed to hit the street – the label had to come up with an entirely new marketing plan fast! There is still some improving to do, but they are working on it. For example, updating YouTube pages, Twitter, Myspace, Imeem and everything else is absolutely crucial. This is something that independent labels have been extremely good at and majors have pushed aside – until recently.
I sat on the phone for hours the other night with a best friend that has spent years swimming through the major music industry with me. He helped me out on my first videos and found his way to MTV at the age of 18 – soon after I found mine to Warner. We came to an interesting conclusion:
The Internet is so cluttered now that it is extremely difficult for independent artists to reach a market beyond the mess. Major labels have bought up all of the independent labels that were worthy of releasing music and, like the past, made it extremely difficult (if not impossible) to release anything without the help of a major. They have closed the doors, essentially, to the valuable online portals. It is one thing to get your album on iTunes, that’s easy, but marketing to a national audience is another story! Though I’ve always supported the independents, I ultimately support those who work with the majors to support their “independendness”. A major corporation has worldwide distribution and access to an infinite amount of resources, so why not take advantage of that?
When it comes to illegal downloading, the adults and tweens are willing to pay for their music (even if it is digitally). But my generation is growing up quickly and is starting to pay for their music too. I have found, in myself and others, that my fellow generation Y’s are finally starting to put down some money to show their appreciation of the music that they enjoy.
I came across a band called Parachute a couple of months ago. They have been signed to Mercury and Island Def Jam since 2007 and are finally gearing up to release their first single, “She Is Love”. I am confident that this song will be a hit single sometime soon. Their chords are simple and seem to scream “VH1″. You may be a diehard fan of obscure indie music and I appreciate a great deal of it, but I believe that refreshing and easy to listen to music can be heard repeatedly. I see this as an opportunity to create art that can be backed by an institution that has the ability to support it financially. Why fight that?
Of course this is all based off of mere observation. I’m not one with an extensive past or reputation, but I have a good feeling that we’ll see a revival of major label success. This is a chance for my generation to tell them what’s cool – and have them fund it. After all, I’m sick of dancing by myself to that band that nobody knows of. Being “different” gets old. I want others to share the love that I have for the bands that I listen to. I want thousands of people listening and dancing along. Worldwide. There is nothing wrong with that.
Comment and let me know what do you think. I’d love to create a discussion.
I’m a huge sucker for catchy mainstream music and every once and a while I find an artist that I’m really excited to hear more about. Dan Black is signed to Polydor / A&M and creates a culture clash of soul, hip hop, rock and electronica.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5irnmaJTWU&hl=en&fs=1]
Happy New Year!!! Looking forward to a bright 2009!
Favorite Albums of 2008:
Top 20 Played Songs on iTunes:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZJx0Y8J970&hl=en&fs=1]
Rachael Yamagata – “Elephants”
Throw yourself in the midst of danger, but keep one eye open at night.
