We are one of the first generations to even imagine not paying for a song. Partly, this is because the record has evolved into the MP3. Partly, because of Napster. We happened to mature into our music-taste adulthood during a time which was shaped by the downloading of songs on Napster, and later, on other programs like Kazaa, BearShare, LimeWire, Torrents. Once you get the taste of a free song, and realize the ease of attaining music with a few free clicks, it is difficult to re-adapt to the inconvenient, capitalistic-driven world of buying music.
And that is why YouTube (see future post) is so important to us, because it offers us our first chance for free, yet legal, music. This is the lazy and broke youth’s dream—free and easy-to-access music.
YouTube basically is our shared MP3 player; free music means sharing, means stop the corporate culture that has already made their millions. Why not share the music? If we understand the purpose of music, as an art form, then to spread its message, music should be universally available.
At a small party last night, the music coming from iTunes was interrupted every once in a while for a song from YouTube. The conveiencene and ease of Youtube, albeit unpredictable sound quality, comes in handy when there is just that one burning song in your head, but nobody has it downloaded.
Another fundamental attribute of music is the community factor. The bringing together of people under the banner of music is also helped by YouTube which creates a forum for music talk. The sharing aspect is there as well, people uploading this and that for everyone else’s behalf.
Why is it that those bands who offer their art complimentary, via Podcasts, YouTube, or personal websites, are among the more meaningful bands? The newest trend in the youthful’s addiction to free music is seen currently by at least one band. Radiohead understood the changing trends, by “selling” their most recent album, “In Rainbows,” for whatever the listener desired. Perhaps that is why they have been catapulted into worldwide admiration. To tell you the truth, when I went to their website to download it, I didn’t believe that any band would have the courage to go against the grain and risk mediocrity. I didn’t believe it was true, I thought it was a joke, so I tested it and typed in $0.00 and sure enough, I have the whole album pumping on my iPod. I wish I would have known, I would have donated to them for the sheer respect. Meanwhile, I had free music, and I was content.
(Other meaningful bands who I have listened to and subsequently enjoyed because they offered it free: STS9 Podcasts, Of Montreal Podcasts, Dark Star Orchestra Podcasts, Umphrey’s McGee)
