ActiveMusician.com Blog

Pandora boss reveals some figures

Jim Burger — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 07:15:11 -0400

Here's an interesting article on Pandora radio, and how it is doing for the artists whose music gets airplay. I have to admit, the numbers don't mean all that much to me without being able to compare to other channels. If, as he says, Pandora accounts for 6.53% of all radio listening in the US, that's pretty huge -- considering how many radio stations there are, online and off, I can't imagine that Pandora really takes that large of a share.

His numbers would also suggest that, if Pandora is really paying more than other radio stations, Oscar Peterson's estate is making only about $100k per year from airplay, which seems pretty unfair to me. Or maybe that's just because jazz is never lucrative.

Anyhow, I think what Pandora and Spotify are doing is great, I hope that they can figure out a way to make money without screwing the artists too bad...

Source: http://www.thecmuwebsite.com/article/pandora-boss-reveals-some-figures/

Hear "Doom and Gloom," The Rolling Stones' First New Song in Seven Years

Jim Burger — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 12:47:12 -0400

I was riding in my car this morning and I hear them playing a song on the radio, and I'm like, "Hey, that sounds kinda like the Stones... except that if this was the first song they ever made, nobody would ever have heard of them." Naturally, when I get home I find out that it WAS the Stones, who have just released a new tune.

On the one hand, it's good to see these guys still making straight-ahead rock in their 70s. On the other hand, well, it's just not really all that good. Better than nothing? I suppose so, but I'd rather listen to Jumping Jack Flash 20 times before I listen to this again.

Heck, it's still better than I can do, so who am I to complain?

Here's the lyric video:

Source: http://www.guitarworld.com/hear-doom-and-gloom-rolling-stones-first-new-song-seven-years

Neil Young reveals HQ iPod rival

Jim Burger — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 07:41:39 -0400

Was Neil Young's new autobiography just a marketing ploy to get people to pay attention to his new digital music player? Whether or not that's the case, Mr. Young has strategically timed his announcement of his new "Pono" player to coincide with his increased publicity. The new player is even mentioned in his book, Waging Heavy peace, where he boasts that it will "save the sound of music".

He was apparently in conversations with Steve Jobs and has even lined up support from some top-rank artists and industry heavyweights. Nonetheless, it's hard to believe that someone like Neil Young will be able to compete seriously against iTunes/MP3 and all of the existing players already out there.

Personally, my guess is that the people who buy the Pono will be the same 0.003% of the market who have kept a reel-to-reel player in their basement because of the unmatched sound quality...

Source: http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/neil-young-reveals-hq-ipod-rival/051994

Fender Aims to Stay Plugged In Amid Changing Music Trends - NYTimes.com

Jim Burger — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:14:01 -0400

We mentioned a bit about Fender's IPO that got pulled at the last minute a few months ago. Now the company's troubles have become so tough that it's reached the hallowed pages of the New York Times! Check out this interesting article about the challenges facing the world's #1 electric guitar maker. Aside from the general fact of a shrinking industry, it looks like some Wall Street fat cats and industry execs managed to get involved and make things more difficult than they needed to be.

We've always been rooting for Fender, so lets hope that they pull through this tough stretch. To my mind, what we really need is a renaissance of good, guitar-based rock and roll to get everyone rocking again. That's not likely to happen until we can get all the kids away from their computer screens, though, is it?

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/30/business/fender-aims-to-stay-plugged-in-amid-changing-music-trends.html

Kirk Hammett's Latest Tour - no guitar, but lots of horror!

Jim Burger — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:03:04 -0400

I always like it when you learn about the non-guitar-related interests of our favorite guitar heroes. Kirk Hammett's hobby is kind of weird, although not too surprising, if you think about it -- he apparently has a passion for all things relating to horror.

In fact, Kirk has penned a book that details all of his collection of horror memorabilia. It's titled "Too Much Horror Business - The Kirk Hammett Collection". He'll soon be heading out on a book tour in support of his new publication -- probably the easiest ticket you'll get to see Kirk up close!

Anyhow, I'm sure all you Metallica fans will relish the chance to get a look inside the dark mind of this metal master...

Source: http://www.us97.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=104703&article=10427503

Stone Temple Pilots Take Stage 2 Hours Late, Cancel Next Night's Show

Jim Burger — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 14:32:18 -0400

If you're a rock star, the traditional standards applying to work ethic apparently don't apply. At least, not in the case of the Stone Temple Pilots, who showed up 2 hours late for their show in British Columbia last night and then decided to cancel tonight's show. Ah well, we waited so long for them to get back together, I guess we can't really fire them.

There has been no official explanation as of yet. Given past history, though, fans seem to think it likely that the tour problems stem from Scott Weiland's unbalanced personality and substance abuse issues. Hard to argue against that...

Anyhow, it would be a shame to see the group lose its momentum. Let's hope things get back on track.

Source: http://loudwire.com/stone-temple-pilots-canada-gig-2-hour-wait-cancel-next-night-show/

Early Music Lessons Have Longtime Benefits

Jim Burger — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 07:30:06 -0400

It has long been known that kids who study music perform better in school. Here's an article in the NY Times that goes over a few studies that have analyzed several of the benefits that have been found to early music education.

It's interesting to see that the benefits extend beyond simple academic performance, and also include helping with hearing later in life. I also like the quote that says "If you get a kid who is maybe 3 or 4 years old and you're teaching them to attend, they're not only working on their auditory skills but also working on their attention skills and their memory skills — which can translate into scholastic learning". That kind of sums it up.

They also bring up a good point at the end of the article -- make sure it's fun for the kids. Find a way that they like to pay music, don't force them too hard. Anyhow, it's all food for thought for musical parents out there (and non-musical ones, too!).

Source: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/10/early-music-lessons-have-longtime-benefits/

Steve Vai's Dream Guitars

Jim Burger — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 07:04:52 -0400

Steve Vai has some pretty cool dreams -- apparently he dreamed of his whole career in advance when he was a boy. He's almost all the way there -- he even got to play on Hendrix's Woodstock guitar. But apparently there is more one guitar that he never got a chance to play that is still on his 'dream' list. Check out his dream here.

I also like his summary of the best advice he ever got from Frank Zappa -- 'keep your publishing'. I would have thought it would be 'don't eat the yellow snow'.

Source: http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/vai-reveals-last-guitar-dream/

Mysterious Countdown on Led Zeppelin Official Facebook Page

Jim Burger — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 14:12:24 -0400

We just posted about Zep a couple of days ago, but now the weirdness has broken out. Starting on Saturday, they posted "five" on their facebook page. Then "four" yesterday. Now "III" today.

What can the countdown be for? Most speculation links to the release of a DVD of their 2007 live performance, but naturally fans are hoping for something bigger.

Interesting, how these dudes can get tens of thousands of "likes" just by posting a number!

Source: https://www.facebook.com/ledzeppelin

Led Zeppelin's 2007 Reunion Concert Rumored for 2012 DVD Release

Jim Burger — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 07:36:33 -0400

For those of you who just can't get enough Led Zeppelin, it looks like they are finally getting around to releasing a DVD of the highly-regarded Zep reunion that took place 5 years ago in London to raise money for the for the Ahmet Ertegun Education Fund. The band played a set of classic Zeppelin tunes with Jason Bonham sitting in on drums.

Sounds like it could be worth a view/listen, they covered almost all of their hits and the concert was well-received.

If only the great bands that had broken up in the past might be able to find charities that make it worth doing a reunion show, life would be much happier...

Source: http://ultimateclassicrock.com/led-zeppelin-reunion-concert-dvd/

Bob Dylan Streaming New Album for Free

Jim Burger — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 13:51:14 -0400

Hot off the presses -- anyone who can't wait until the new Bob Dylan album "Tempest" gets released, you can't buy it until 9/11, but you can stream it free now on iTunes! It's a free hour of Dylan listening pleasure!

I'm just listening to it now, so far I gotta say it sounds very bluesy, with a couple of old-style Dylan tunes. Bob's voice has gotten real gravelly, so I guess that's a good fit.

On the other hand, if I wanted to listen to this type of music and a gravelly voice, I'd rather listen to Howlin' Wolf -- just my two cents...

Source: http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/News/en-us/bob-dylan-streaming-new-album-for-free-0905-2012.aspx

Aerosmith's Brad Whitford discusses his live gear

Jim Burger — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 07:40:35 -0400

Here's an in-depth video where Aerosmith's Brad Whitfor talks about his gear for the band's Global Warming tour. It's a cool, lengthy look at stuff that includes includes guitars, amps, and effects from Fender, Gibson, Echopark, Marshall, Bogner, 3 Monkeys, Pigtronix, TC Electronic, Eventide, and more.

And don't forget -- their new album is due out November 6th, a couple of the songs from it have already been pre-released. If you haven't heard them yet, they are "Lover Alot" and "What Could Have Been Love". Check 'em out!

Source: http://www.hennemusic.com/2012/08/video-aerosmiths-brad-whitford.html

Watch Whitesnake Singer David Coverdale Get Interviewed by His Granddaughter

Jim Burger — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 07:28:43 -0400

I realize that all of these rockers are starting to get a bit old (as am I!), but nothing really makes you realize it as much as seeing a one-time hot-shot singer get interviewed by his own granddaughter! Check out this cute interview of David Coverdale.

Source: http://ultimateclassicrock.com/whitesnake-david-coverdale-granddaughter-interview/

The Eagles' Don Felder Thought 'Hotel California' Would Flop

Jim Burger — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 08:49:36 -0400

Here's a good one. Eagles' guitarist Don Felder originally thought Hotel California would be unsuccessful because the intro was too long and the song was too long.

Here is an interview with Felder where he talks a bunch about what went into making Hotel California, it's pretty interesting stuff. I like how it gives insight into the creative process, where Felder wrote the music, then Henley and Frey molded it into the final creation.

The only thing that mystifies me is, did Felder really think every song needed to be under 4 minutes? 'Stairway to Heaven' came out 5 years before 'Hotel California'. He should have known better...

Source: http://beta.musicradar.com/news/guitars/interview-don-felder-on-the-eagles-classic-song-hotel-california-557397/

John Lennon's murderer set for seventh parole hearing

Jim Burger — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 07:43:07 -0400

Mark Chapman comes up for parole again this week. I don't suppose there are many folks rooting for him, and I can't imagine he has a chance of getting released, but who knows -- odder things have happened.

Apparently the guy gets a new parole hearing every two years, which sounds like a monumental waste of time to me. Shouldn't it be more like once every five or ten years?

At his last hearing, his statement in his own defense was: "I wasn't thinking clearly. I made a horrible decision to end another human being's life, for reasons of selfishness. I felt that by killing John Lennon I would become somebody and instead of that I became a murderer and murderers are not somebodies."

Does anyone find that convincing enough to put the guy back on the streets?

Source: http://www.nme.com/news/john-lennon/65610

Green Day Plan Ambitious Tour Following Upcoming 3-album Release

Jim Burger — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 07:32:19 -0400

It's fairly common knowledge by now that Green Day will be releasing 3 albums in the near future. It's a fairly massive undertaking, the results of which are highly anticipated.

Now the group has started talking about touring, and are planning a massive tour in support of the albums. It's good to see a group so committed to its art!

While Green Day's musical credentials are impeccable, one does have to question their mathematical capabilities. Bassist Mike Dirnt suggests a "3,000 date" tour in support of their new album trilogy. Does he realize that this would mean about 9 years of touring?

Source: http://www.gigwise.com/news/75560/green-day-planning-3000-date-tour-to-follow-triple-album-release

Google Offers Improved Audio for Online Gigs

Jim Burger — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 07:18:46 -0400

I know Google+ hasn't gotten off to a flying start, but now it's got something to offer that could be of interest to all you musicians out there. Google is boasting improved audio quality for those musicians who perform to their fans using a "Google+ Hangout". They are offering a so-called "Studio Mode", which steps up the regular voice mode by streaming in stereo and processing the audio to make it clear and bright.

According to Goole, "As a musician, all you need to do is start your Hangout On Air, click settings, and switch from Voice to Studio Mode."

Of course, in the end the sound quality will only be as good as the audio quality of your listening device, so if you're listening through laptop speakers don't expect anything revolutionary. But it seems like a cool service for bands looking to reach out to their fan base.

Here's a video demo of the new studio mode:

Source: http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/industry_news/google_improves_audio_for_online_gigs.html

Video Documentary Examines the Recording Industry and Heavy Metal

Jim Burger — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 07:21:14 -0400

An interesting ongoing project, the documentary "Behind the Suit and Tie" attempts to examine what's been going in the recording industry over the last few years, specifically in relation to heavy metal. A new trailer has been uploaded, here's a link to it:

The footage in the trailer does not appear to be as "hard-hitting" as one might hope for, but it certainly looks interesting. The range of views from rock stars and industry execs definitely will provide food for thought, although to my mind the main thing seems to be that everyone is still struggling to figure out how the digitization of the industry, social media and piracy will play out in terms of making money...

Source: http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=177973

Upcoming Classic Rock Album Releases Offer Something for Everyone

Jim Burger — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 07:51:21 -0400

There are a bunch of new album releases slated for this fall, including anticipated albums from Aerosmith and Bob Dylan, as well as long-overdue releases from ZZ Top and Jeff Lynne. Looks like there will be something for everyone this fall.

Check here for an overview of upcoming album releases.

Of course, the one question remaining is -- why does anyone release 'albums' anymore? Isn't the whole concept of an album becoming kind of cute and antiquated?

Source: http://ultimateclassicrock.com/most-anticipated-fall-2012-albums-2/

Who Will Play Olympics Closing Ceremony? Rumors Abound...

Jim Burger — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 07:30:26 -0400

The Olympics opening ceremony got things started with a bang, and now that the games are nearing their end, it is only natural that speculation should start about who will be playing at the closing ceremony. The music director has already stated that it will be the 'greatest after-party in the world', so something cool must be in store, but it is being held secret.

Apparently, over 20 performers will be involved. Some great names have already said they are NOT performing, but who knows. Here's a brief article going over some of the possibilities.

Or, of course you could just wait and see...