Kids Are People Too

Hello and welcome to the (unintentional) second part of my observations into how musicians are changing the world.

N.E.R.D. at UT
Credit: Julia Shatilo

I don't mean to keep posting on this topic but an article caught my eye on Austin360.com about the new website being launched by Pharrell, of N.E.R.D. and the Neptunes fame. I usually would not be as interested if it weren't for the fact that N.E.R.D. were kind enough to come by UT last Friday before opening for the Gorillaz at the Erwin Center, and do a brief Q&A session with some students. During the session, we got to listen to the new album, Nothing, coming out next month, as well as ask questions not only about music, but also about other ventures the band is involved in, and the political and social aspects of their work.

This is where the new site, Kidult, comes in. In the interview for Austin360, Pharrell describes the project as a news and entertainment site geared toward the 12- to 18-year-old demographic. The idea came about after he noticed the increased interest in politics among young adults, and the lack of sites catering to them.

Of course, after reading the interview and keeping in mind the political direction of the new album, I had to check the site out. I must admit, I was immediately engaged with the content and format of Kidult. The site features top news stories from around the world, interviews with entertainers and "Cool Job" profiles from various industries, user-generated blogs and videos. Couple the "little bit of everything" with the easy-to-navigate format, and you get a nice little package that goes beyond the targeted demographic, and proves to be insightful for many a college kid. Especially one on a job search. (I personally took note of a profile on a top PR executive in the entertainment industry, but the NASA one caught my attention as well.)

"Feed your curiosity" is the site's mantra and I think it's wonderful to see how high-profile artists are using their fame and power to encourage kids to not only find out more about the world but also to foster writing and independent inquiry through blogs.

Music for a Cause

Last week I had the privilege of hearing Dustin Lance Black, Academy Award-winning screenwriter of "Milk" and gay rights activist, speak at UT. The lecture in its entirety was wonderful, but a point that really stuck with me was one that he made about the suicides of LGBT youth that have been in the news recently. He mentioned that this string of suicides was not an unusual increase, but a far too common tragedy that only now has been getting more media attention.

 People in the public eye are often looked to for advocacy on important issues. Musicians, singers, and songwriters are no exception to the rule. The non-profit To Write Love On Her Arms-- dedicated to giving hope to those struggling with depression, addiction, and suicide-- has long been affiliated with the music business, partnering with the VansWarped Tour and hosting benefit concerts around the country.

With the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" becoming a hot button issue recently, we've seen an upswing in celebrity endorsement of gay rights. On Sept. 20, Lady Gaga spoke out against the act during an impromptu appearance at a rally in Portland, Maine. Gaga has long been a outspoken supporter of gay rights, as reported by her friend, the celebrity blogger Perez Hilton.

But perhaps most poignant and heartfelt are the messages coming from well-known musicians for the It Gets Better Project, started by sex columnist Dan Savage after the recent suicides. The Project showcases videos of celebrities and ordinary people alike, sharing their experiences and letting bullied teens and youth know that it does get better. Adam Levine (Maroon 5), Chester Bennington (Linkin Park), Gloria Estefan, and Adam Lambert are just a few of the artists that have pledged their time and support.

No matter the message, no matter the issue, music has the power to change lives. And not always in the most obvious ways.

The State of the Music Industry

As an admitted music nerd looking to break into the music business, I find it only fitting to begin this blog of mine with an affirmation that the industry is not dead, despite popular belief.

Last night I stumbled upon an article in The Economist that deals with the evolution of corporate record labels, and how artists are making money in today's world of iTunes, and YouTube.

The Oct. 7 article doesn't beat around the bush when it comes to the grim facts out there.

"For the past ten years sales of recorded music have declined so steeply as to become a cautionary tale about the disruptive power of the Internet."

This is not the first time such whisperings have floated around. Ever since illegal downloading began with sites like Napster and Kazaa, people have talked of the end of the tangible, recorded album. People like instant gratification, and only buying their favorite songs. I know I do. It's as simple as that.

But the biz is not leaving without a fight. To be honest, you don't really have to look further than Lady Gaga's "Monster Ball" Tour statistics to see that the music world is alive and well. A few weeks ago when tickets went onsale for her tour date in Austin at the Erwin Center, I figured I'd try to snatch up a few before the show was sold out (as it undoubtedly would). I was astonished to log onto Texas Box Office and see prices that ranged from $86 to $1450 (before service fees and tax). But in retrospect, what astonished me even more was that people were willing to pay this much for a show.

Now, I don't know about anyone else who spent last weekend at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, but I for one was slightly bemused by the slight jump in T-Shirt prices from $20 last year, to a pretty standard $30 for almost all shirts. Now, don't get me wrong, the extra $10 was not about to stop me from wearing my Muse shirt with pride and labels are taking advantage of that to compensate for falling record sales.

In addition to increasing ticket and merchandise sales, musicians are turning more and more to sponsorships and licensing. Interestingly enough, The New York Times published an article last week about how bands are moving away from the strict contracts of record labels to sponsorships being offered by brands. This might seem counterproductive to "saving the music industry" but it just goes to show that it is imperative to find new ways to make the business work, whether it's turning to a new form of branded entertainment, or appearing on an episode of "Glee."

All in all, I think we can breathe easier. The industry isn't going anywhere.