Many myths are linked to the internet. Freedom, border crossing, connection between people, sharing…. Isn’t there characteristics the Internet has in common with music ? Indeed, these two should get along quite well. But today, music also means “intellectual property” and “market” . Here comes trouble. Since 2000, we’ve been talking about the crisis of music industry. Peer to peer practices seems to be the ones to blame. But what is the real impact of the internet on the music world ?

You rock my world

At first, the internet was only considered as an opportunity for musicians seeking fame. Free, simple visibility is given by websites such as Myspace. Thanks to those, musicians, beginners as experienced, can show what they do and who they are. Myspace being also a social network, these musicians began to enlarge their audience. Many artists were discovered on the internet, such as Lily Allen. It became a parallel way to know fame. By using the internet some acquired a reputation, a public, and stood out. Musicians communicate about their new songs and their concerts without passing by other expensive mass media.

What’s also great with the web is that you can find all types of music, coming from all over the world. In the past, I would only buy a CD knowing that I would like it, not testing it before. The Internet is free, there are no risks taken. Streaming really opens your mind to songs you wouldn’t hear on the radio or buy in stores. I discovered Sigur Rós, an Icelandic post-rock band on the internet, I don’t think I could have done it otherwise.

Moreover, according to the majors, paying online downloading has more and more success. Put forward as a legal alternative to peer to peer, million songs has already been sold all over the world this way. Isn’t it great not to have to go out, look for a CD, do the queue and go back home to finally listen to new songs ?! I sit there, behind my computer, and I get everything I want almost instantly.

Rock & Roll Suicide

Internet, as great as it can be, is also a very tricky media. Visibility can paradoxically lead to invisibility. The web is open so everyone can post anything, anytime. Everyone can call himself a musician and the most talented and creative artist can be easily lost in this sea. For instance, Myspace isn’t anymore for musicians only, teenagers also rushed at it.

Peer to peer is also a problem, regarding the fact that musician is a real job. Music, this way, is stolen from the person who worked for it. I’m bad, I’m bad, you know it… This lead to a record industry crisis. Records departments tend to disappear from the malls, even specialized stores such as Virgin or Fnac foretell the end of it. Some artists even consider twice the idea of starting a career, knowing it will be harder than it already was. According to the Syndicat national de l’édition phonographique in the first trimester of 2009, music CD and DVD sales went down 18,5% in a year. the music market in general went down 16,4%.

Songs also loose value : as soon as a song is being recorded, it is to be found instantly on the web . Radios and TV don’t even have time to broadcast them. They are overwhelmed.

Here comes the sun