Tom Benway :: » Music

Praise for CustomChannels

Tom — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:54:35 +0000

I want to give a big virtual high-five to Dave Rahn and my associates at CustomChannels for the great article written about them in today’s Denver Post. While the radio industry itself suffers, its outside ideas like custom playlists on CD quality formats and genres targeted to listeners specific tastes that really stand out.

CustomChannels has a great crew and I’m proud to have collaborated with them on so many unique opportunities!

Read the article in the Denver Post here.

Indie Record Labels Lower Prices

Tom — Fri, 01 May 2009 21:52:53 +0000

Since an earlier post I wrote involving the legal crack-down on file sharing network, the Pirate Bay, I’ve been keeping an eye on pertinent music and file share issues to see if there’s been any backlashes. Through the power of RSS I’ve seen a couple notable articles indicating that some independent record labels have actually lowered their prices as a result.

One particular example I read about on Wednesday was from Fat-Wreckchords, an indie punk-rock label that distributes pretty much everything I listen to. Said label owner “Fat” Mike Burkett, “We just think that having a very low CD price is a fair way for scene supporting music fans to support their favorite independent bands and labels.”. Amen brotha. They’ve lowered their CD prices from the original low low $10 price to $8, determined that nothing on their catalog will cost over $10.

Having read statistics that most people who download music illegally also purchase the most music, I think this move makes sense, as I would imagine a lot of them are hoarders like myself. I think this is a pretty smart move by independents and hope to see more of it.

RockBand Franchise Surpasses $1 Billion

Tom — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:44:33 +0000

I was reading this press release regarding Rockband on Punknews.org earlier today and was pretty astounded. Since Atari, Sega and Nintendo I’ve always said video games are the next big entertainment industry and they continue to prove me right.

Now I haven’t played much of the music game genres and can’t completely place my finger on why they’re so popular other than the recent US trend in the last decade to convince every little boy and girl that they want to be a rockstar. I’m not sure how I feel about that aspect of it (whatever happened to sex, drugs and rock n roll?), but I have to say the Rockband games have an amazing track record for breaking barriers for console games:

First music game to have downloadable content (this is huge! – used to be entirely PC only options)
One of the first cross-console games to offer full compatibility and interoperability between competing peripherals (leading to this whole new era of controllers that look like their objects)
One of the first games to be involved in releasing new albums from artists (Judas Priest and Motley Crue)

PC Games still have the towering income from online multiplayer games, but console is definately rising. You may also want to check out this article about the rise in video game revenue in the US, it was a $19 billion market in 2007 and continues to rise, so start buyin’ those games and boost the economy!

Supporting Cast(e)

Tom — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 20:59:52 +0000

I recently picked up the new album from Propagandhi – Supporting Cast(e) and have to say its pretty mind-blowing. I’ve been of fan of the liberal Canadian hardcore punk group for awhile and I am constantly impressed with each new addition.

Propagandhi

The newest album could best be described as a mix of the last 3 and continues on with the epic hard rock meets seriously sophisticated lyrics. Tackling political issues from general dissidence to animal rights and social inequalities, this album is a monumental political punk achievement.

Go buy it and memorize the lyrics- it could be a life altering experience!