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The Rise of Music Blogs: A New Era for Emerging Artists

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the music industry continues to evolve, weblogs like Music for Robots are playing a crucial role in giving a platform to struggling artists. The blog, started by eight friends at Bates College, has become an influential force in promoting unsigned and independent-label bands. In 2004, the blog helped discover the Hysterics, a band composed of teenage students, including lead singer Oliver Ignatius, who gained significant popularity after being featured on MTV News.

The blog's owners, including J.P. Connolly and Blair Carswell, have taken a new approach by releasing a compilation CD, Music for Robots Vol. 1, which features 19 unsigned and independent-label bands. This move has sparked a debate about the role of blogs in the music industry, with some seeing them as a threat to traditional music business models.

Key Takeaways:

  • Music blogs like Music for Robots are becoming increasingly influential in promoting emerging artists, with the blog attracting 8,000 unique visitors a day.
  • The blog's compilation CD, Music for Robots Vol. 1, features 19 unsigned and independent-label bands, a departure from the usual practice of blogs featuring free downloads.
  • The CD has sold around 150 units in two weeks, a modest start but a significant step for a blog that has traditionally offered free content.
  • Music blogs are acting as incubators for new talent, with the Hysterics, a band promoted by Music for Robots, gaining significant popularity after being featured on MTV News.
  • The blog's owners are taking a risk by charging $10 for the CD, a move that may be seen as a threat to the music business model.
  • Labels are starting to take notice of blogs as a potential testing ground for new talent, with Vice Records' Adam Shore crediting blogs for discovering Norwegian pop star Annie.
  • Starbucks' decision to sell CDs in stores has proved successful, with over 35,000 copies sold of the band Antigone Rising's latest CD.
  • Many blog readers are turning away from physical CD's and embracing digital music, but some still see value in buying music from bloggers they trust.

Statistics:

  • Music for Robots attracts 8,000 unique visitors a day.
  • The blog's compilation CD, Music for Robots Vol. 1, features 19 unsigned and independent-label bands.
  • The CD has sold around 150 units in two weeks.
  • The Hysterics' song was featured on MTV News after being discovered by Joseph Patel, an MTV News producer.
  • Over 35,000 copies of Antigone Rising's latest CD have been sold since its release in Starbucks stores on May 11.
  • Vice Records' Adam Shore credits blogs for discovering Norwegian pop star Annie.

Sources:

  • The New York Times, "The Rise of Music Blogs"
  • Music for Robots (www.music.for-robots.com)
  • MTV News
  • Vice Records
  • Pitchfork
  • Starbucks
  • Slate

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