Rock the Net

Ensemble Digital: The Kronos Quartet's Sidney Chen on the Open Internet

Casey Rae-Hunter and Jean Cook

Thursday, August 21, 2008

When think of classical music listeners, you might not picture web-savvy youth firing off blog posts about the great recital they just attended, or flitting through social networks to interact with their favorite contemporary ensemble. But according to Sidney Chen, Artistic Administrator of the avant-classical ensemble Kronos Quartet, all that and more is currently happening online, thanks to a cool little concept called net neutrality.

In this article, FMC’s Jean Cook and Casey Rae-Hunter talk to Sidney Chen about the importance of net neutrality for the Kronos Quartet, which depends on the Internet to reach potential audiences. â€œOur projects donâ€™t normally fit neatly into genres,â€ Chen says. â€œThe Internet allows us to reach those people who arenâ€™t reliant solely on mainstream media and other information gatekeepers.â€ read more

Artists Sound Off in Support of an Open Internet

Over the past decade, we’ve been blown away by the energy and enthusiasm of musicians who take time out of their busy schedules to talk about issues that not only affect them, but the entire music community. read more

Comments of Independent Creator Organizations in FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Preserving an Open Internet

On January 14, 2010, a broad array of independent creator organizations, including Future of Music Coalition, filed comments in the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Preserving an Open Internet. The comments demonstrated the need for enforceable net neutrality rules to ensure that all creators — regardless of size, affiliation or category — can compete in a legitimate digital marketplace.

The FCC sought public input on draft rules that would codify and supplement existing principles to safeguard the Internet?s openness. This process is intended to secure and protect the many economic and social benefits of the open Internet by preventing anyone from restricting the free flow of lawful content and applications online.

According to the FCC, the goal of the proceeding is to adopt ?clear, enforceable, common sense rules of the road? meant to keep the door open for continued innovation online, while allowing users access to the broad range of ideas and services today?s internet provides.

The groups submitting comments described how the cultural sector is using the open internet to forge the future for entertainment and creative expression.

Co-signers include American Composers Forum, American Music Center, Center for Creative Voices in Media, Film Independent, Fractured Atlas, Future of Music Coalition, International Documentary Association, International Music Manager?s Forum, Just Plain Folks, Meet the Composer, Nacional Records, National Alliance for Media Art and Culture, and Writers Guild of America West. read more

File Comments at the FCC on the Open Internet

In October 2009, the Federal Communications Commission announced that it was accepting public comments on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) about Network Neutrality and the Open Internet.

The FCC is seeking public input on draft rules that would codify and supplement existing principles to safeguard the Internet’s openness. This process is intended to secure and protect the many economic and social benefits of the open Internet by preventing anyone from restricting the free flow of lawful content and applications online. read more

Erin McKeown Gets Cabin Fever in July

We at FMC are always psyched when we hear about artists making DIY work for them. Although you can?t paint with one brush when it comes to musicians ? many have wonderful relationships with their labels ? it?s clear that today?s performers don?t need big-time backing to make a record and get it out there. Case in point: Erin McKeown. read more

The Best Curated Panel Ever?

OK, we know it?s been a while since we?ve talked about net neutrality. But we figured you could use a break. Not that it?s not still relevant ? actually, the reason we?ve blogged about the issue so much in the past is because net neutrality ? the principle that protects the open internet ?is crucial to artists and fans. Today?s musicians depend on the web to reach potential audiences without the interference of gatekeepers, toll collectors and middlemen ? which could change if net neutrality goes away. read more

Caught in the Web

For those of you who were there, you already know that Threads and Cred — last week’s final web.illish.us event at Silk City in Philly — was one kick-ass party. For those of you who weren’t there, here’s a brief run-down on what you missed (You can also watch the video archive from the live webcast at web.illish.us).

The jam-packed event saw local fans ready to hear a bracing mix of hip-hop, jazz rock and instrumental fusion. From the mysterious mood lighting to DJ Dirty South Joe’s between-set mix, it was obvious from the start that Threads and Cred was going to be a memorable (and musically diverse) occasion. read more

Night Moves; web.illish.us @ Silk City

By Holly Otterbein

Philadelphia City Paper

February 18, 2009

Yes, Comcast acting as a gatekeeper to the Internet is a scary prospect indeed. Despite failing to make much headway in the fight against net neutrality, though, providers like Comcast continue to spend millions of dollars each year in hopes of getting their way. So lest you think that net neutrality was a right we established in the early 2000s, realizePhiladelphia and the Future of Music Coalition are holding a Webcast series to make you think otherwise. “Yes, we’ve achieved net neutrality,” says Ti. “But now we have to go into preservation mode, otherwise someone will come in and take it away.”

Hard to believe three months have gone by and we’re now at the final web.illish.us event, which takes place tomorrow night (Wednesday, Feb. 18) at Silk City in Philadelphia.

Saving the best for last may be an understatement considering tomorrow’s jam-packed event. Appropriately titled “Threads & Cred,” this installment will focus on how net neutrality strengthens creative culture by facilitating innovation, real-time experimentation and collaboration. “Threads & Cred" refers to dialogue threads (as well as a pun on clothing) and the credibility you need to thrive in online (or real-world) communities. read more

Musicians Organizations Back Net Neutrality

RBR

February 15, 2009

The American Federation of Musicians and the Future of Music Coalition are actively supporting the move for network neutrality ? FMC even has a campaign called Rock the Net, and both are working in conjunction with Free Press?s Internet for Everyone campaign.

Rock the Net

Ensemble Digital: The Kronos Quartet's Sidney Chen on the Open Internet

Artists Sound Off in Support of an Open Internet

Comments of Independent Creator Organizations in FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Preserving an Open Internet

File Comments at the FCC on the Open Internet

Erin McKeown Gets Cabin Fever in July

The Best Curated Panel Ever?

Caught in the Web

Night Moves; web.illish.us @ Silk City

Live! Tommorow! Final web.illish.us event!

Musicians Organizations Back Net Neutrality

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