Anyone can do it!

I want you to connect the dots between the Good Copy Bad Copy Documentary and the readings we have for today. How has streaming services and platforms like SoundCloud changed the music industry–and more importantly perhaps the music ecology between listeners, artists, producers, and distributors? You might explore as well various microgenres that thrive in online environments, and how digital networks fragment (and reassemble?) markets and cultures.

It has certainly brought to light many artists, producers, and distributors that once were struggling in obscurity. I think that music, as much so as any medium that we have, really is something that should be as unrestricted as anything. Anyone can create, mix, and come up with musical content (whether it is good or not is beside the point). Places like Soundcloud and others really allow users to be able to make what seemed like an unattainable goal be closer than ever. Sure there is idea that I am sure most of you have heard and probably laughed at before….”oh yeah, thats my buddy hes a “soundcloud rapper” hahahahaha”. But isn’t that amazing when you sit back and reflect on it? Here a person has the ability to put metaphorical pen to paper and attempt to make their dreams come true. I think there is some serious value in that concept that should not be overlooked or diminished. These places provide a soundboard for people to get feedback on how much their product is good OR bad. They also provide the ability for us to discover a niche market that we, the users, may not have been exposed to otherwise. Think back to say the 1980s when death metal was at its dawn. You weren’t able to find an online community to share your passion, or your own take on the music. Hell you were lucky to find someone in your real life that didnt think it was just the devil himself coming back to get his fiddle he gave to Johnny so many years ago. So now to have a place where your niche is not so much niche anymore (at least in the traditional sense of the word) is so powerful. We are enabling this generation of artists to not be creatively stifled like music has always seemed to have a problem with it. At this point I dont think there is any turning back, and for that I am thankful.