Part II of our roundup of gear, guitar and music blogs. We read ‘em, so you don’t have to. Design Workshop blog features some beautiful luthier work including a $28,000 one-of-a-kind. Carl Verhayen’s blog, and The Guitar Channel for prog rock fans. Read more…
Pete Townshend: iTunes is a Digital Vampire
Here’s an interesting read. Legendary Who bassist Pete Townshend gave the inaugural BBC 6 Music John Peel Lecture just the other day and called iTunes a “digital vampire.” It’s an interesting lecture to read (The Guardian kindly posted it here), and Mr. Townshend has distinct opinions:
“Now is there really any good reason why, just because iTunes exists in the wild west internet land of FaceBook and Twitter, it can’t provide some aspect of these services to the artists whose work it bleeds like a digital vampire Northern Rock for its enormous commission?”
Thus the eye-catching headline used all over the web and here too (well, it worked, yes?).
Is iTunes a Digital Vampire?
PT takes iTunes to task for not acting more like a label and offering A&R and marketing services to musicians selected by Apple. Certainly, it’s tempting to take Apple to task, but as others have pointed out, iTunes is a retailer, and hard to see how the old school record stores are very different in this case. Here are two good reaction pieces to Townshend’s screed:
The Guardian’s response points out that the iTunes 30% commission is no different than music retailers, and that some streaming servies, such as Grooveshark are worse for copyright; and…
Mark Mulligan at Music Industry Blog points out the retailer comparison and some other good points, here.
My feelings are less specific and pointed, I’ve expanded my music library intensely since the advent of iTunes, and personally, pay for all music I own. Really. So, no, iTunes is no digital vampire, but it is a challenging world for musicians and artists despite that fact.
Interested to hear or read other viewpoints.