Compared to decades ago, the music industry has been a totally different place with all the newly-developed features and characteristics. Among all other factors that profoundly triggered the changes, the presence of technology and its constant developments are the top reason why the new realm of the music industry becomes an inevitable phenomenon. Just like another life aspect that technology has impacts on, the industry also undergoes a series of shifting regarding the production stage and how people accept the songs. These aspects relate to the presence of the Internet and the vast spread of information that follows.
The Reception
In the history of music making, record labels are an integral part of the whole process. Some even refer to the company as a boiling pot where songs of all genres are processed and prepared before releasing it to the public. For this reason, it is safe to conclude that the label industry plays a vital role in delivering the composition to its enthusiasts. As they hold the key to the success of the artists, those joining the industry become familiar with the term industry politics, meaning the company acts as a sole determinant whether or not the society will like certain songs and music.
Things are, of course, different these days where the Internet seems to take over all the above roles. As the impacts of such politics fade, artists can stand on their feet to create and stick to the genres that they prefer. Platforms, such as Youtube and MySpace, are some of the examples. From black metal to raggamuffin love lyrics, the platforms become their main gates to connect with the listeners. In short, the presence of technology supports them to build an audience without the involvement of record companies.
New Devices
The presence of the new platforms also generates the invention of new tools to listen to the music. Traditionally, people were dependent on radios to listen to their favorite music. The introduction of a portable media player, or what people have been referring to as Walkman, which is smaller in size and more practical for mobile use was indeed one great breakthrough back then in the 1980s. However, the device still used conventional networks to fetch the songs. Things are different these days where smartphones become the main device for many purposes. As if it was not enough, the presence of several music apps, such as Spotify and Joox, became popular within months after the release.…