Long time no see.

3/26/2011

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Nicolle, here. Haven't updated for a while because I've been busy with my current project, 4Music.com. The website for Channel 4's musical endeavours, 4Music.com. I spent a year during my MA learning about the non-commerical side of music and digital culture and now I'm fully entrenched in a role that requires me to make a great product ... that makes money. So how do we do it? 

It's not that there's not money to be made. The challenge is making content that we as journalists can be proud of. There are lots of sites that offer celebrity gossip and music news that don't delve into entertaining journalism. 

The other challenge is making a site that leads technologically. 

I guess you, the audience, will be the judge...
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Joi Ito speaks at Open Music Media

9/21/2009

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A little background on OpenMusicMedia – it’s an event founded by Jonas Woost (who we interviewed for Broken Record) and Dave Haynes (UK manager of SoundCloud) where industry insiders and music aficionados alike get together once a month to drink pints and talk about the digital music industry. I’ve been going since I discovered it a few months ago while filming Broken Record.

The past three discussions: music videos in the digital age, the culture of music and most recently, creative commons and its relation to music (you may have noticed Broken Record’s CC license) have all been incredibly interesting.

Speaking of Creative Commons, the OMM people didn’t just plan a discussion, they snagged Joi Ito, CEO of Creative Commons, to come speak at the event. I was definitely chuffed (Briticism!) and quite enjoyed the talk. Joi stressed the fact that he wasn’t against copyright – quite the opposite. CC tries to simplify and standardize copyright law globally in an age where the law is so complex, “You’re probably breaking copyright law every couple of seconds.”

“It’s complicated,” Joi says, “because you think you’re doing something legal, but you’re not.”

He also commented on the current evolution of formats in terms of digital media and advised the label people present (who I’m sure are already well aware) that “no one’s watching the kids to see when they’re pulling out their wallets.” 

In terms of Mr. Lessig’s legacy, Dave commented that there’s “value in teaching people to create things themselves.”

It was an enlightening talk all around. For more information about Creative Commons, check out their site.
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The Great Cobain Debate

9/18/2009

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Kurt Cobain is rolling in his grave. Yes - he would probably have never wanted a cartoon version of his image singing a Bon Jovi karaoke classic or Gwen Stefani vocals. But, uh, should anyone really be that mad? Cobain's estate has aleady been ravaged by every Tom Dick and Courtney around. Walk along Yonge Street in Toronto and you'll find posters, t-shirts, buttons and keychains that all boast Cobain's image.

It was just a year ago you could buy a pair of Converse "honouring" Cobain - his writing was featured on the shoes. Was that okay? It was obviously approved. It's not that Cobain's image is being used, the point that Love is stuck on is that it can be unlocked to sing other songs. I wouldn't go feeling sorry for her, though. This is a contractual issue. It's got nothing to do with "selling out." That was done a long, long time ago.
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Broken Record Episode Two: Commerce

8/31/2009

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Episode Two. Check out Episodes page for more info.
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Broken Record Episode Three: Culture

8/31/2009

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Episode Three! Check out the Episodes page for more info.
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Episode Four: The Future of Digital Music Culture

8/31/2009

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Episode 4 - for more info, check out the Episodes page!
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