Longing for the day ...

Interesting developments

Wanted to make a few observations about some articles I've been reading lately. I think the sum of them really is nidicating that I have been right all along about this medium and its potential.

The first and most intuitive is this one from Yahoo! News, which is basically driven by Universal Music's Southeast Asia division's decision to license more than 1,000 Chinese-language pop tracks to Apple Computer's iTunes. It essentially argues that digital availability has "unlocked" traditional "World" music's appeal beyond its culture of origin.

In a physical sense this is a no-brainer (especailly to Bun' Ber E) but what it doesn't comment on is how this in turn reveals the dominance of the "music industry" with its focus on Western Pop. (Which, of course has been one of th points of discontent among music fans and independent artists for years.) How has there such an unmet demand for this kind of music arisen? This is the definition of Western Cultural hegemony and is directly related to much of the anger directed at the USA lately.

This phenonmenon is also reflected in the figures quoted by Phil Tripp, which show that:

* Last year in the US, there were 30,000 album releases. There were only 100 certifiable hits. Albums that made a hefty profit. Of those 30,000 titles, only 1000 sold over 5000 copies. Only 5000 sold over 1000 copies. In other words, 25,000 releases sold less than 1000 copies each. And this is in a country which has more than ten times the population of Australia.

* 22 million US adults (about 11% of the population) now carry digital music players. (Pew)

* And exactly 11% of US consumers and nearly 50% of music downloaders in the US, aged 12 or older, have paid for online music downloads. That's risen from 2% in December 2002 and 4% in December 2003. (Ipsos)

What all of this points to is that people who are Internet-savvy are eshewing the traditional "listen to the radio, buy the mass-promoted CDs" response to music marketing and seeking their own way forward. Man, of course, are not straying too far, but it seems that plenty are taking the opportunity to explore beyond the music the major record companies are jamming down their thoats.

The only real dissenting view on this point comes from Parks Associates, whose report "Digital Music: Analysis and Forecasts" shows that, although consumers like the idea of buying tracks one at a time, they're not yet sold on the idea of online subscription services. Not a big surprise, that, since they're only talking about a particular kind of digital download and "better customer service" is the marketing edge that a whole bunch of services are trying to grab.

So, what does this mean? Well, it's basically all good. It shows that there's a viable market out there for a wider variety of music that the major companies have let us believe was available for some time - but the finer points of servicing these customers have yet to be figured out ... and may not be for some time until the technogical aspects of the Internet stabilise and standardise.

In the meantime, I've got music to record and send through the digital download people ...

Touching days, scorching heat

Well, the NTRA state titles was an experience. Didn't win a game but had a great time - stinkin' hot but. Got just a little sunburned despite caking myself in sunscreen.

Some photos of the action, including some of me, can be found at www.actionphotos.com.au. The ones involving my team start at about page 42. There's one below - copyright Bob Jones, of course.

Pretty cool, hey?

Now for the long wait to see whether I made it into the Qld old farts side. Won't know until after the NTRA Trans Tasman series, March 19-20. Stay tuned.

Vale Casey Donovan's first career

Well, I predicted it, and now Immedia is reporting that Casey Donovan's career is over as her debut album sales slump. Seems her album is almost out of the top 100 after failing to reach the expected heights.

However, I disagree with Ben Butler's claim that this is simply an Idol phenomenon. After all, Casey's runner-up, Anthony Callea, has had a huge success with his debut (though perhaps not as big as his peeps are claiming).

I think it's more likely that, rather than the "gap" being "between two different demographics: TV viewers and record buyers", the gap is between TV voters and music buyers. As I argued earlier, I thought Casey's performances left a lot to be desired and could only explain her vote-pulling power by the influence of image-related factors.

Still, it's a pity she'll probably go no further, and it's not good for the Australian music industry. I hope Casey develops further and returns to show us the talent that she undoubtedly posesses.

If you want any help or advice, Casey, you know where to find me ...

Agreeing with your opponents

I don't agree with John Howard on a lot of his policies but I wholeheartedly applaud his intervention to "encourage" Telstra to re-instate its funding of the Lifeline telephone service. This service has made a huge difference to thousands of lives and it's one that we wholeheartedly support and regularly donate to.

Of course, Telstra's decision to cut the funding is further evidence of the foul penny-pinching stench that eminates from this monolithic corporation. Coupled with the surcharge recently imposed for paying telephone bills by credit card, it reveals a "make the customer pay as much as possible" mentality, which is perfectly justified on business grounds but makes for very poor corporate social responsibility. Australia's biggest and most politicised enterprise should have more PR sense.

In any case, giving credit where it's due, well done John Howard. It's just a pity that you won't have the same influence after you've sold the rest of Telstra to private investors*. Then the Telstra board can and will operate completely in their own self-interest, keepng their social obligations to the bare minimum with which they can get away.

*Disclosure: I own shares in Telstra.

Incidentally, I also completely agree with Helen Clark's veto of John Farnham's "performance" at Gallipoli on the 90th anniversary of that battle. I feel significantly icky about the notion of the silence and solemnity of a "killing field", as Helen Clark called it, being broken by anything else.

That's not to say John couldn't turn up and start some spontaneous singing among the people there but not as a staged event (but I bet he won't). From what I've heard from people who have attended previously, the silence is one of the most striking aspects of the place.

I'd also like to note that this is a typically insensitive and club-headed initiative from the current government, and I'd like to be giving JH more credit for stamping it out in the next few days ... (feel sorry for Farnham, though)

The thin end of the spin

So, a policeman walks around the corner of a street in his neighbourhood and sees two armed guys standing on either side of another guy who has a sack over his head. Standing in front of the guy with the sack is another - uniformed - guy, who is talking to the guys with the sack on his head.

The Policeman interjects, as he should, but is reassured that all that's going on here is an interview, not an interrogation, torture, mugging or anything else ... yeah, right!

What makes me evern more sick to my stomach is that, according to the official government regulations, that officer, if he suspects there is an interrogation taking place is supposed to walk away and not get involved!! Where's the ethics and morals in that decision??

How sickening can an Australian government be?? This is not the behaviour that the reasonable, common people of Australia would expect - especially from our "leaders". They lie, cheat deceive and then expect us to swallow any kind of twisted crap just because they say so .... it's unAustralian.

Bun' Ber E in Japan

Also wanted to note that a Japanese radio program, Yellowbeat, has put one of Bun' Ber E's tunes on rotation. Apparently they'll start by playing Orange & Blue, off our latest album, Unplugged, on Friday Night (Tokyo time). Thanks, guys.

We really appreciate any and all support shown to us by radio programmers. It's the only way independent artists can cross over from web-based distribution to mainstream media. Hopefully, more will come of it.

Meantime, please support Yellowbeat and tune in to their webcasts ...

Returning to form

Well, I'm now officially back to playing serious touch. I've joined a rep team from Puretouch (mixed - called the Pumas) and will contest the National Touch Rugby Association State titles next weekend, 19 Feb. The Pumas are an interesting mix of glamorous young women and crusty old fart blokes - should be lots of fun.

I've nominated for selection to the >35s Queensland side to contest the Nationals in Coffs Harbour in June, which could be some fun if I get selected. Nothing like being a dinosaur ...

This is a fairly social competition, but it's taken very seriously, of course. I just think it's nice to be back in serious touch for a bit. I'm planning to enjoy myself and go hard and see what eventuates ... must make sure the body stays in one piece ...

History repeating??

Someone pointed this out to me the other day aand I just had to note it here for future reference: The election in Iraq is a significant and important step along the road to a more peaceful world, but it's not nearly as clearly a leap forward as certain people would have us believe. We've been here before.

According to CNN.com, the President Bush said of the election:

"Today the people of Iraq have spoken to the world, and the world is hearing the voice of freedom from the center of the Middle East.

"In great numbers and under great risk, Iraqis have shown their commitment to democracy. By participating in free elections, the Iraqi people have firmly rejected the anti-democratic ideology of the terrorists. They have refused to be intimidated by thugs and assassins.

"The commitment to a free Iraq now goes forward. This historic election begins the process of drafting and ratifying a new constitution, which will be the basis of a fully democratic Iraqi government."

However, on September 4, 1967, The New York Times reported:

"US Encouraged by Vietnam Vote"

"United Staes officials were surprised and heartened today at the size of turnout in South Vietnam's presidential elecion despite a Vietcong terrorist campaign to disrupt the voting.

"A successful election has long been seen as the keystone in President Johnson's policy of encouraging the growth of constitutional processes in South Vietnam. The election was the culmination of a constitutional development that began in January, 1966, to which President Johnson gave his personal commitment when he met Premier Ky and General Thieu, the chief of state, in Honolulu in February.

"The purpose of the voting was to give legitimacy to the Saigon Government, which has been founded only on coupsand power plays since November, 1963, when President Ngo Dinh Diem was overthrown by a military Junta."

We all know now that the war in Vietman raged for another eight years and ended with none of that "democratic" apparatus in place. I just hope this horror is not repeated in Iraq.

It's getting harder every time ...

Now that I'll be 35, I'm trying to nominate for the Qld >35 touch footy team and try out at the State Titles on the 19th. But it's getting harder for two reasons.

The first is that I've picked up a burner in my left thigh (got it playing indoor soccer for a friend's team) and the other is that there's no team for which I can nominate. It seems my venue is not nominating a team ...

One day I'll be fit, fabulous and orgainsed. And probably not long for this mortal coil.

Australian Idol: Travesty or Treat?

Interesting debate in The Sydney Morning Herald, which I heard about via the Australian music Council's e-newsletter, about whether or not Australian Idol is "good for the local record industry".

It's an interesting debate, not so much because interesting or insightful things are being said but because of what's not being mentioned. That, of course, is any kind of analysis of "the local record industry" before and after the advent of Idol. What this "debate" basically boils down to is a data-free polemic, which is what works in newspapers when they want to provoke reader responses.

All the stuff about the virtues or otherwise of "pre-fab pop" and whether being a talented performer is enough, or whether Idol has to discover another Bob Dylan or Aretha Franklin in order to be "good". It's a pretty pointless argument, really.

But those of us for whom this question is more important need to have this debate in a slightly more informed way. From my limited understanding, Guy Sebastian's win has repaid his record company's investment many times over (although he acknowledged that it got harder with the second release), and Shannon Noll's releases have done similarly well. Ditto Anthony Callea's "The Prayer" probably made amint, but Casey Donovan's single tanked (thugh ti will probably recover costs). Interestingly Callea's website claims "The Prayer" as " the highest-selling Australian single of all time", which is a load of bollocks.

So, from the point of view of the biggies' bottom lines, Idol has been a resounding marketing success. If you then factor in the successes of the unsigned spin-offs, Paulini and Cosima, then things have been arguably good for others in the industry, too. So, OK. Australian Idol has been good for it's big-boy backers and for others who's been able to capitalise on it.

But is that "good for the local record industry"? Isn't there more to it? What about the rest of the industry? It certainly hasn't helped Bun' Ber E sell any more records - nor has it helped me turn a living out of recording ... and my bet is that there are lots of others in the same situation.

There was some discussion a while ago about how many Australia artists are currently in the charts. That included Kylie, who is to all intents and purposes (especially from an industry point of view) a Pom, so I ignored it. This kind of hype pops up every now and then ...

But what about the artists/performers/songwriters who are not at the top of the charts? The ones who are eeking out a living without publicity blitzes and ARIA hits? People like my mates Mundy-Turner, who are back in Australia for the first time in two years. We simply have no data on them. We have no way of knowing whether Idol has made "the local record industry" any better off.

And my bet is that he data will not be forthcoming any time soon ... can anyone help me out here?

Super things

Watched the Superbowl the other day. The whole thing - from start to finish. This was the first time I'd had the opportunity to do so and I was determined not to miss it.

What did I think? Well, it was a spectacle, for sure. No-one puts on a show like the Yanks. To be honest, I missed a lot of the football getting up to try to find something to do, like make drinks (it was scorching hot) and have a pee ... wash the dishes, hang out the wet clohes ... the awkward Australian-broadcast commentators didn't help but stuffing up their feed intros and out-tros.

But it's obvious to see why the event has the reputation it has - it's huge. The contest was fierce (even I got that part) and the skill levels high.

The best part, though, was not even American! It was Sir Paul McCartney. Still rockin' after all these years. Janet & Justin had to get some clothes off to entertain as much. It's easy to forget just how great some of those songs are and how timeless rockin' really is.

Gives us old farts hope that we might get to rock out like that one day ... :-)

Well done, Leyton

I gotta say that I'm not as worried about Leyton Hewitt as a lot of people are. Seems to me he did nearly everything right in his quest for an Australian Open title. But, as he rightly pointed out, Marat Safin was just too good in the last three sets (we got to see good Marat, who is almost unbeatable).

Of course, we could have done without Leyton abusing an umpire. In any case, that seemed to throw him off his game, so it was bad for his chances as well as bad for his image ... and he copped a code violation.

Still, I think he'll be a better player for the experience and he'll be back ... he's only 23.

Bring on next year's tournament.