This month in digital music libraries - February 2024
February 22, 2024 in digital music by Dan Gravell
This month: music journalism woes, new small-tech music projects, data openness and Apple’s Windows Store update for their music services.
Journalist rout
Looks like journalism is having a tough time of it generally at the moment and this is definitely being reflected in music journalism.
As always a very readable article by @tedgioia about recent lay offs in music journalism and the contraction of the music business across the board. Music consumption is higher than ever, but where's the money gone? Maybe we just don't value it anymore? https://t.co/yNP4Dv10R9 pic.twitter.com/0qocoL5kfw
— bliss (@bliss_music) January 30, 2024
Small-tech music
Some interesting indie projects in music this month. First, Faircamp is an alternative to Bandcamp:
Is Faircamp gathering momentum? https://t.co/UElP6srL2u pic.twitter.com/eCTZMWXypJ
— bliss (@bliss_music) February 3, 2024
We’ve discussed concern about Bandcamp since their acquisition by Songtradr last year. There haven’t been many noticeable stories since the acquisition which would imply a significant existential threat to Bandcamp, other than early post-acquisition layoffs. The emergence of alternatives speak to the enthusiasm in which it is held by music buyers.
So that’s for the music producers. Meanwhile, for the consumers, we have this new album review site.
A microblogging platform for music reviews https://t.co/0koHZnozmc @AlbmsDotNet
— bliss (@bliss_music) February 22, 2024
Why data openness is key
Amid the silo’ing of content and attention on social media and music streaming sites, podcasting has continued on its merry RSS-backed way (despite some efforts otherwise). RSS gives us, the consumer, the power to choose both the podcast player we want to use and also from wherewith the podcast is sourced. To podcast producers it means they can make a podcast available anywhere and have it picked up, so they can choose the host with the most aggreable terms.
https://t.co/hfyaJAipL4 We have to hold on to open technologies and avoid the silo'ing of content.
— Astiga (@astigamusic) February 8, 2024
Because what happens when all consumers go to one place for their content? This is what happens.
For the fifty-ninth time... if you don't control your library, expect to lose access to it https://t.co/iIwXu0Ab8g pic.twitter.com/hX9OAFQz1c
— bliss (@bliss_music) February 10, 2024
Apple updates their Music apps on Windows
Seems that Apple realise they can’t do without all those Windows users…
Microsoft finally open the doors to @AppleMusic and more on #Windows PCs, meaning you can sync a Windows PC with an iOS device with an "official" app. https://t.co/Ms1xn2VeXA pic.twitter.com/lZoyd5WwxZ
— bliss (@bliss_music) February 20, 2024
Photo by Bruno Bučar on Unsplash
