http://tags.library.upenn.edu/kdolor/industry+warner PennTags Feed http://tags.library.upenn.edu/makerecord/url/36019 http://tags.library.upenn.edu/makerecord/url/36019 <p>This New York Times article by David F. Gallagher, outlines the shift from old media to blogs as a means of generating buzz for a new band.&nbsp; The article went on record as citing Warner as the first major label to ask an MP3 blogs to play its music in the form of downloadable MP3 files on the blog Music For Robots. It also provides a cautionary tale for blogs attempting to expand within the confines of a major label.&nbsp; Warner's attempted to circumvent any bad comments by posting several comments saying how their band, The Secret Machines, was "so cool."&nbsp; When Music For Robots got wind of this they turned apprehensive to future major label involvement, saying that Warner's had turned the blog into something as deplorable as an "AOL chatroom."<br /><br />This article gives weight to the argument that it would be tough for blogs to retain their independent credibility once they are bedfellows with major labels (conflicts of interest, and downright manipulation by labels could arise).&nbsp; It complicates my argument that a blogs could truly work alongside labels without being crushed by the corporate steamroller.&nbsp; However, it does add weight to my point that MP3 blogs have become legitimized by labels as a viable venture in band promotion.&nbsp; Also , it reaffirms that record labels have now become middle men in the music industry.&nbsp; If new bands appealed directly to blogs, they could avoid the major label, and appeal directly to an audience--thus beginning their careers, like Vampire Weekend</p>