One (and perhaps only one) good thing is that all these mergers are laying off a LOT of music performers and industry professionals who are mad and pissed off at these conglomerates. I'm hoping they will begin rival companies. Thus opening up a new golden age in music. There already is one going on in zines
MICHAEL: As for the position of the UK, it is the second market in Europe and will always figure prominently in any plans. It's only change. Don't take it too seriously.
MUSEA: Michael you are a child in the woods. Look, this time there is real concern. The media that reviews records is now mostly owned by these same companies (in the US virtually ALL news is owned by them) And guess who they are going to review - their records, and who's going to be invisible and not receive reviews - all the competition. These companies also have most commercial radio sewed up. NO indies played on any US radio, they also are now gobbling up/merging with the Internet companies. What if Deja.com, the one I'm sending this on, the world's largest source for newsgroups was owned by one of these? Do you think my posts would be posted? You are brainwashed into thinking it doesn't matter. But I assure you if you ask anyone in the business or anyone who has ever dealt with these 4 companies (8 total in almost all the arts) then you'd hear the truth. There is a sense that you are free. Yet when you oppose advertising or these conglomerates or the media in the hands of so few, then you'll be silenced quick. Hey don't believe me. Just go to any outlet for any art - any media source and say what I've been saying and report back. They'll shut you up fast! Then you'll see what the revolution in arts is all about.
By refusing to fight these conglomerates you're condemning all those indie musicians you love to obscurity and poverty. Ask any of them if they'd rather be independent and make a fair living for their talent and get honest reviews from both mainstream and indie press, or independent, invisible except to a few fans, and desperately poor. If somebody was boycotted because they were a woman, or because of their race, or religion, surely you wouldn't stand for that. But these conglomerates practice all kinds of discrimination against talented musicians simply because they choose do to quality music - and somehow that is OK?
JAMES: These musicians are often doing better than the average band on a major label. They've got a loyal following of fans who are beyond the hype generated by the big labels. They've got real control over their career. Believe me, sometimes its a blessing to be turned down by a major label.
MUSEA: I believe it is ALWAYS A BLESSING TO BE TURNED DOWN BY THE MAJORS. But you are doing a disservice to the music you like by refusing to oppose the big 4. There's no reason the indies should be struggling against unfair monopolistic odds. Ask any of the musicians that you like if they are happy about the monopoly of the 4.
MUSEA: No music is more boring, more adored by advertisers, and wing-tip shoe wearers, and no music is safer and less likely to offend and more likely to please your grandmother than rock. If I see another band photo .... ROCK AND ROLL HAS BECOME EVERYTHING IT STARTED OUT OPPOSING!