Go Forward, Move Ahead
Jan 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Every year, Remix picks up its high-powered binoculars and looks out on the horizon to discover what's going to go down in the year ahead. This time, we bring you 27 of the most exciting developments in this crazy, Wild West of a music industry we're living in. From futuristic tracks and mouth-watering gear to bold new marketing schemes and industry trends, the focus of 2008 is sharpening, and it's quite the interesting view.
Ranting and raving music analyst Bob Lefsetz (you might know his blog, The Lefsetz Letter) brings a glimpse into the future of the music business. Meanwhile, female MCs storm the stage, artist-run studios take over, the music scene goes green, product merchandising gets crafty, parties roam the Earth, torches are passed on, gear gets extra touchy-feely and the digital age forges ahead. Hold on tight. It's going to be a bumpy, exciting ride.
PRODUCER ON THE RISE: ERIC LEE HUDSON
Even with a bevy of big-name producers at their disposal, proven hit-makers like Kanye West, 50 Cent, Usher, Mary J. Blige and Whitney Houston have turned to this virtually unknown producer for their high-stakes releases (such as West's awesomely futuristic and catchy track, “Flashing Lights”). From the looks of things, he won't be unknown for long.
Eric Lee Hudson, the 20-year-old wunderkind from New Jersey, is working so often with so many big names these days, it's even making his head spin. The roster of artists that Hudson has produced is as diverse as music itself and, he says, he tries to embrace their individuality when he works with them. “I don't really have a signature sound,” he notes. “I play four or five different instruments, so I can give you a live sound or I can give you that 808. I just try to get in there and vibe with the artist and whatever the artist is looking for. I just try to capture their style.”
Of the songs he's produced lately, Hudson says there are some that he's especially excited about. Among them is Usher's “Make It Rain,” from his upcoming album due in March. “The song is really exciting,” Hudson says. “It has an Earth, Wind & Fire feel; it has live horns and live drum overdubs. It's really different from everything that's on the radio.” And Hudson says he's keeping his fingers crossed for a possible first single from Whitney Houston's new album. He admits that working with the R&B superstar was a little daunting. “It was hard, but she was really nice and she wanted me to vocal produce her,” he says enthusiastically.
Houston clearly isn't the only one who has confidence in Hudson's work. “Everybody from Usher to John Legend to Whitney to Mary have all been like, ‘Whatever you do, I'm following your direction’. Everyone's been real cool.”
— Rhonda Baraka
ONE SMALL STEP: A GREENER MUSIC SCENE
To say that musicians use a lot of consumable energy — music gear, CD packaging, gas for tour vans, etc. — is an understatement, so it makes sense that the music community is poised to make big environmental strides in 2008.
Many labels have already planned green changes for the New Year. WEA and EMI Canada are both aiming at recycled materials, Nashville's Circle Back Music is going carbon-free, and Sub Pop has committed to offsetting 100 percent of its energy use. Musicians are getting more involved, too, from using vintage guitars to choosing how their CDs are packaged.
Musicians unsure of how to best make sustainable contributions can hook up with companies like Reverb who provide “Greening” services for touring bands. “We arrange biodiesel for tour buses and trucks, and biodegradable products for buses and backstage,” Reverb's Brian Allenby says. “And we'll educate fans by bringing our Eco-Villages to tour stops throughout 2008.” The Fray, Stars, the Beastie Boys and Aimee Mann are among those using Reverb's services.
Festivals, media stores and nightclubs are even getting into the act. Chicago's Lollapalooza fest is set to bring back an expanded version of its popular Green Street area for 2008; California's Amoeba Music is implementing The Big Green Box for electronics recycling; and San Francisco's Green nightclub, Temple, has even bigger plans. “We recycle and compost 71 percent of our waste,” owner Paul Hemming explains. “In 2008, we'll add vertical gardens and solar power and give away plantable trees. I'm also working with a physicist on our dancefloor, which will use piezoelectric crystals; when people dance, the crystals will be pressured, emitting a charge to a circuit, and that will power our LED lights.” Hemming also plans to open a sustainable Temple nightclub in China. “It's not just nightclubs or bands that should do this,” Hemming says, “I think humanity as a whole should do this.”
— Kristi Kates
NEW-FANGLED DELIVERY: FROM CDs to USBs
Are CDs as cool as they used to be? The recent actions of Radiohead, Trent Reznor and plenty of indie bands say, eh, not so much. A combo backlash of too-hard-to-crack record labels, environmental concerns, overpricing and the plethora of easily accessible music networking sites are causing musicians to turn to other methods of releasing their albums, among them digital downloads, pay-as-you-please, and, lately, releases on USB drives, which seems especially destined for the mainstream in 2008.
In 2007, The White Stripes dropped Icky Thump on supercool-looking flash-drive representations of Jack n' Meg in their London Pearly garments; Keane, The Fratellis, ultramodern grime-popsters Hadouken! and M.I.A. sent USB singles out on memory sticks; and even Matchbox 20 offered up its latest set in uncharacteristically edgy fashion — on a rubber USB bracelet. And those were only a sign of things to come.
2008 looks like it's going to be a year of firsts in this department. The coming months will see albums being released on various forms of USB by the likes of the Rolling Stones (first album to be released on memory card in the UK), Mike Oldfield (first classical recording released on USB) and Finnish electro-rock band Desert Planet (first USB release in Finland). You get the idea.
So, what's the draw? Universal UK's Brian Rose is aiming USBs at the younger market, who are reportedly becoming apathetic about CDs, even “special-edition” ones, but the consensus in general is that people do still like to own a physical product, hence USBs potentially evolving where CDs have stagnated. Other appeals include the fact that USB drives leave room for the addition of plenty of videos and other multimedia components, allowing musicians to push the envelope regarding bonus content. As far as whether or not the CD will go the way of cassettes and 8-track tapes — only your wallet will tell.
— Kristi Kates
PREDICTION: APPLE RULES THE WORLD
Apple stock will go up. With the introduction of ever-increasing iPod penetration, a slim laptop and resultant Mac sales, Apple will be akin to record labels in the '70s — a revered entity whose followers will give the company all their money. iTunes' share might go down, but Universal will never beat the company. Apple has won the war. Buy stock!
— Bob Lefsetz
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