Frequent postings from the FMC staff about the issues at the intersection of music, law, technology and policy.
The Cloud vs. the Paradise of Infinite Storage
We’re here in sunny Austin for SXSW! Just a few minutes ago, we saw a fascinating panel called “The Cloud vs. the Paradise of Infinite Storage.” Some real brainiacs on this one, let us tell you. The discussion featured FMC board and advisory board members Bryan Calhoun and Sandy Pearlman, the brilliant Eric Garland from Big Champagne, Mike McGuire from Gartner Research, Wayne Marshall of MIT and WayneAndWax and Peter Biddle, one of the first authors to describe the “Darknet” — a closed private network of computers used for file sharing.
The discussion was a continuation of a breakout session hosted by legendary rock producr/manager Sandy Pearlman at our most recent Future of Music Policy Summit. Consider this our “executive summary.” read more
SXSW: Hot panel picks for Wednesday, March 17
It’s day one at SXSW Music, and Team FMC is on the ground in full force. Seeking guidance? Here’s our hot picks for panel discussions happening today:
11:00 AM
Successful SXSW: The Tao of the Conference
FMC friend and CD Baby founder Derek Sivers will lead the way.
11:00 AM
Evolution of Concert Booking and Programming
Artist managers Mike Martinovich and Ian Montone will join promoters and booking agents for what’s sure to be a lively discussion.
12:30 PM
Caution Before Signing
Includes FMC advisory board member — and awesome artist attorney —John Strohm. read more
The Internet is Punk… Barbershop Punk
It’s been a few days, so let’s talk internet!
First up, we’d like to thank all of you who have taken the time to write a comment in the FCC’s Open Internet proceedings. And guess what? The Commission actually pushed back the submissions deadline for reply comments to April 8, so if you you haven’t yet filed, you can use our musician/fan/indie label-friendly comments tool to do so.
As we love reminding you all, keeping the internet open as a platform for everyone — musicians included — is one of the major policy issues of our time. By filing a comment, you can be a part of this historic proceeding.
Speaking of net neutrality, check out this trailer to a new documentary about the open internet, music and free speech, Barbershop Punk. The film, by Georgia Sugimura Archer and Kristin Armfield, features discussions with Ian MacKaye (Fugazi, Dischord Records), Damian Kulash of OK Go, Henry Rollins, Janeane Garofalo, John Perry Barlow, U.S. Representatives Chip Pickering and Marsha Blackburn, DJ Jim Ladd, Clinton White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry, Michelle Combs of the Christian Coalition, Songwriters Guild President Rick Carnes, NARAL’s Ted Miller, former FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein and… and… Future of Music Coalition’s own Michael Bracy!
If you’re heading to Austin for South by Southwest, you can catch a screening there. (The first showing is actually tonight at 9:30, but there’s another showing on Thursday, March 18 at 2:45 P.M.). read more
Just Announced: Musicians Bringing Musicians Home VI
We’re incredibly excited about the latest Artist Activism Camp (our sixth!) and its live benefit concert finale, Musicians Bringing Musicians Home. This year’s event, which takes place at One Eye Jacks in New Orleans on Friday, March 26, 2010.
Joining FMC and Air Traffic Control this year are Ryan Dobrowski + Israel Nebeker (Blind Pilot), Rebecca Gates, Thao Nguyen (Thao with the Get Down Stay Down), Toshi Reagon, Matana Roberts, Jill Sobule, Jon Theodore (One Day As A Lion), New Orleans’ very own Bonerama and more.>
Musicians Bringing Musicians Home is the celebratory finale of our sixth three-day activist retreat, where artists from around the country come to talk about best practices for positive social change. Since the Gulf Storms of 2005 Artist Activism Camp has brought more than forty musicians from around the country to New Orleans to tour affected neighborhoods, visit with the city’s notable musicians and community leaders and participate in strategy sessions about integrating activism and philanthropy into their musical lives and careers. read more
