This is an interview series in preparation for my SXSW Panel: The State of Music Blogs in 2010. I reached out to a number of influencers, musicans, labels, marketers and music fans to get their perspectives on the topic and will be posting these in a series leading up to the conference.
Today we hear from blogger, writer and publisher Rich Horton of Rift Magazine.
Why do you think music blogs are so popular?
I think the interactive nature of blogs helps people react quickly to new music. It’s like the impulse rack at Target, read, go to link, go to Itunes or other online outlet and buy. It’s easy. Plus it’s free reading almost all of the time.
How do you think music blogs/aggregators/social networks have impacted the industry?
I think the connections between people gets faster. People know about more stuff going on. Which is positive at first, but as we have seen with MP3.com and MySpace as it gets more saturated and people start ignoring stuff. It starts losing value.
How have they changed your music consumption and/or marketing efforts?
I think I actually used to buy more music then I do now. I used to take a bi weekly trip to Cheap or other independent record store and buy a few CDs. Now I have tons of songs already, and only buy as needed via itunes. I thought I would be more upset about not having liner notes but who cares really.
What’s the best thing to happen to the music industry in the last year or so?
Autotune. Just kidding on that. I like the fact that more artists are staying on the indie trail, but as an entire industry and this might attach itself to question 9 is that things could crash and burn anytime. With the economy and the way music is devaluing itself through piracy and giveaways will it be able to survive in the current state of things.
What’s the worst?
See above
What is the single biggest strategy/technology/innovation/societal shift you think will impact music in 2010?
I think the price points and how Apple and the Music Industry deal with them will be interesting to watch. 99 cents might be too cheap but $2 might be too much. Can they do with the digital file what they did with the CD and overprice it? We’ll see what happens.
And?
I wish there was a way to combine around 10-15 blogs and get one good blog or website with better writing. I think all of us who write blogs half ass it sometimes because it is a hobby where it would be great to have more in depth articles and reviews. More time and any money would be great.
Other reading:
Read other State of Music Blogs in 2010 interviews.
RSVP for the State of Music Blogs in 2010 SXSW panel.
