I love everything about Kanye’s new single. I love the beat. I love the King Crimson sample.

And I love the cover art for the single.

I haven’t been excited about anything he’s done for years, so this is a welcomed change.

I only kinda like the lyrics – but if he’s got something to say on the rest of the forthcoming album, he’ll earn these lyrics.

Here’s hoping it’s not just empty posturing.
Kanye West – Power

via BBC

I am quite relaxed about it. But, you know, it is a massive change and it does alter the fact that people don’t make as much money out of records.
But I have a take on that – people only made money out of records for a very, very small time. When The Rolling Stones started out, we didn’t make any money out of records because record companies wouldn’t pay you! They didn’t pay anyone!
Then, there was a small period from 1970 to 1997, where people did get paid, and they got paid very handsomely and everyone made money. But now that period has gone.
So if you look at the history of recorded music from 1900 to now, there was a 25 year period where artists did very well, but the rest of the time they didn’t.

Made my first 8tracks mix today. It looks like an interesting service … although, I have yet to listen to someone else’s mix. Looking forward to playing with it some more … but in the meantime, to celebrate the imminent holiday, here’s this:

Enjoy.

Clearly, this is a piece of political theater.  It’s still sort of breath taking.

Sam Phillips :: The Long Play :: Exclusive Content For Subscribers Only! .

(via)

This is a really interesting idea as far as how musicians can make some bank without the help of a major label. Now granted, the subscription model may be difficult to get some volume with if you’ve never had major-label success. For instance, I’m certainly not signing up for this – I’m not a big enough Sam Phillips fan. Frankly, I only barely know who she is.

But I can definitely think of acts (large and small) that I would sign up for … if you lowered the price point, that number would grow exponentially … and it wouldn’t have the stigma of a “fan club” – .