Beat-Play Press Machine

Today I ran across an article called “File sharing: Piracy or activism?” by Open Attitude blogger Andrew Currie. This is a legitimate question that we as a community have the responsibility and duty to decide on. The answer however may not be as unreachable as we think. The solution comes with a slight shift in the perspective of conventional thinking. The method is to seek out any problems that arise given the circumstances, in order to determine what a successful design should include. The problem here is simple and I think can be best explained by one of the comments that was in response to that blog article, by Reddit user PhastPhoodPhool:

"When you start likening manufactured objects and digitally reproduced data as objects of value, then you have already presented an ethical dilemma. How can you charge full price for something that is free to reproduce? That is why it is so easy to download. It only represents a loss if you otherwise would have realistically paid for whatever you're downloading. The whole side of the copyright holders is totally impartial to the facts."

So though this is a serious problem, it can be resolved relatively easily given the circumstances. This is where the shift of perspective comes in. Because it is obvious that no one will pay for something when they don't have to, and it costs nothing for the provider when we download, we can use these principles to construct a new system that takes advantage of these trends/facts, and provides a model that will allow the content providers to get paid directly, while their beneficiaries (file sharers) enjoy guilt free and unlimited free access to their favorite content, on demand.

The solution is (drum roll) Ad Revenue, but not just any ad revenue. There are still serious problems with the current standard ad models online today, and these problems too have been well established. It is time for a change. The new model must address these problems head on, namely obtrusive, distracting, and misleading ads horribly placed next to the content. The solution...small icons/logos placed strategically within the most popular features of a website. For example imagine the Pandora player without the huge half-page ads, and instead, only with one small coke bottle icon in the top left corner. The ad could even have a feature where if the cursor rolls over it, it expands to a small box to reveal a special offer, and then it collapses again once the cursor rolls away.

The benefits of this may not at first be obvious, but they arise with closer observation. The icons being placed within popular functions, like audio or video players, give the ads more visibility, because the areas housing them will not be avoided. Secondly, the icons actually serve a purpose to the consumer as well, in allowing them to get their favorite content for free. The goal would be for companies to link up directly with the most popular content creators, at a scalable price range dependent on hits, so that eventually those companies develop substantial credibility with an artist's fans, for sponsoring their potential customer's favorite content. This could be a smart long-term move for many brands out there in the future. It would also be optimal if the platform which supported this model would take the minimum fixed rate for the services of implementing and placing the ads, and pass on the bulk of the revenue to the true value creators.

This system legitimately fixes the problem of file sharing being detrimental to the artist's careers and the content's quality and safety. Instead of an artist releasing their music for sale, it getting sold once before it appears on a torrent site, and the artist losing track of how many times, how and when their fans listen to their music (not to mention money), they can choose to give their music away for free as a full quality secure download, and then can not only track when their song is played or shared, but they can track things like visits to their merchandise store, profile views, video views, live streaming performance views, ect, all closely linked to the music download, and they can record these numbers to negotiate for advertising revenue once a fair peak in popularity is reached. These revenues, in addition to merchandise sales, ticket sales for both on and offline shows, and the possible sale of sample components from an artist's songs, gives independent artists a whole new batch of revenue streams, waiting to be tapped and exploited.

So you may think that's it...all problems solved...Well, not yet. The other problem artists will have in order for this system to truly work is promoting their music. How do they distinguish themselves amongst the barrage of artists which consumers will have access to? The answer comes from a bit of creative thinking and information fusion. It's a mix between a social network and a discovery engine. For those that don't know, a discovery engine is a tool that finds relative content for a user, based on certain criteria that the user enters, such as tags or blog categories. Good examples in this case would be Pandora and Twitter. Both are discovery engines, and both make their user's lives easier by (supposedly) bringing the users to the content they want. However, especially with Pandora, these systems can be flawed. Depending on the type of input the user gives, and the way the site processes it, results can vary heavily. For independent artists, the solution must go beyond entering just a favorite artist or a genre. These criteria are far too limiting. Even with Twitter, the results you get are dependent on the people that you follow. You must make sure you follow only people that you feel you can trust for credible content. For music, there must be a system, similar to Twitter, where I can follow people that I share a taste in music with (friends, favorite artists, ect.) and any music that is in their playlists will automatically get sent to my radio player, at random, or to my specifications. I should be able to create different radios and assign different friend's playlists to each one, assign genre limits on individual playlists, and decide which playlists I want to give priority, and by how much. This takes the concept of song recommendation and uses social influences to filter the content, rather than using the physical properties of the content itself. After all, the content is better defined by its meaning to society, rather than by its physical attributes.

The real beauty in this system is that it saves me from a lot of unnecessary filtering and searching myself. If my best friend liked a song enough to put it in his playlist, then I am certain that I will like it too. Also, if I like a song enough to put it into my playlist, anybody who is following me will automatically get introduced to the song as well. For good music, this makes its spread amazingly automatic and viral. Also I would not be bound to one genre per radio, or one particular sound all together. It allows the variable nature of our lives to be reflected in the radios we listen to. Speaking of which, this system resembles very much the principles of Mother Nature, ie "only the strong survive." This social spread of the music also mimics the role of bees when pollinating flowers, spreading the lifeblood of the industry to all that will enjoy its fruits. It's because of these side effects that lead me to make the conclusion that this is simply the best system we could possibly hope for.

One of the most incredible things about the Internet is how easily adaptable it is, and it's ability to integrate innovations extremely quickly. It will take nothing more to complete the transition than for a website with these features to simply go live and market itself correctly, in order for these changes and benefits to be realized. I am very happy and proud to say now that a website with these systems is going to be in beta very soon. It is called Beat-Play and I am the Founder and President. I'm also 21 years old and a college dropout/independent artist myself; so I have all the proper credentials necessary to really make this thing work, besides an extremely dedicated and inspired staff of trained professionals and some amazingly cool sponsors. Release is scheduled for March/April 2010. It will basically be an empty store when we launch, but we already have the support of over 200 independent artists from all over the world, thanks to our promotional site http://MusicWithoutLabels.com. Anyone can sign up to beta test there, and we will contact you as soon as the beta is live.

These are exciting times for Internet users, and independent artists, like myself. It's far due time we make our lives easier by building comprehensive tools that solve our biggest problems. Remember, for every problem you see, you're also staring the solution right in the face, whether you know it or not. With the Internet, we can implement the changes we need with incredible speed. Get ready for an amazing journey towards a better and brighter future; it's literally just around the corner.

Written by: Dante Cullari - Founder & President Beat-Play, LLC

So as I'm sure you have heard, BMI has filed a lawsuit against a small Idaho sports bar for neglecting to pay licenses for playing songs specifically by major label contractee Taylor Swift. It never fails to amaze me how licensing companies like BMI, ASCAP and SEASAC don't hesitate at a chance to sue considerably smaller establishments for lack of "proper licenses." What is more shocking though, is the fact that though Taylor Swift is named as a plaintiff in the suit, she technically will have no say in the proceedings and probably won't even be present for any hearings. BMI will control all aspects of this case, seeing as they pay substantially for full-time teams of impenetrable lawyers, just for such an occasion. It is also worth noting that WHEN BMI either wins the suit in court or as a result of a settlement, Taylor Swift will directly receive no monies whatsoever.

The reason these cases are NEVER lost by these titans of trickery is because they stand behind one of the oldest and most well established laws of our time: Copyright Law. For a judge to throw out this case would be the equivalent of throwing out the whole almost 100 year old law all together, in terms of setting precedent, and this simply won't happen. Unfortunately these companies are also well aware of this fact, and they tend to use this weight to throw at anyone they please.

So why do they stoop to suing small bars and retail stores in small inconsequential markets who are simply trying to supply their customers with an enjoyable atmosphere? Because they can, so they do. Remember this behavior when considering signing up with one of these companies, and let it serve as a warning to stay away. They use the payments they receive from their contractees to pay these lawyers, then sue on the behalf of a particular contractee, using even their name in the case, and then claim any monies received as a result for themselves. Does it sound like their best interests are protecting their client's copyrights, or do they seem motivated by other, more lucrative proceedings. Unfortunately the 3 major companies occupying this market all are set up almost identically despite small insignificant differences in some policies. It turns out these companies are almost completely useless for any artist that is not at least nationally known, despite their high rate of independent artist contract renewals. Even many major artists have complained about not getting paid royalties for all of their on air appearances or performances, claiming their music was aired far more times than what they were compensated for. It seems they exist merely for the privilege of acting as an initial filter of any money that would be directed toward an artist for use of their work, while hiding behind the facade of nobly protecting the artist's rights.

The key word of 2010 for independent artists need be "Patience!" These are problems that have been around for years and years, and despite the drastic changes the industry has seen, these problems and their initiators still seem to be up to the same old tricks. However with the realization of the potential of the internet on the industry, possibilities for new organizations and independent bonds are greatly increased and alternatives will begin to appear as soon as the middle of 2010. Keep your ear to the ground for those alternatives, I can assure you, they are coming. But until then, just focus on making good music! It should come as no surprise that this is what will matter most in the end after all.

Written By: Dante Cullari - Founder & President Beat-Play, LLC

Give us some background. Where are you from originally, where are you now, how did you get there?

I am originally from Long Island, NY.  I am now living in Georgetown, MA.  After high school, I received a Vocal Scholarship to Rollins College in Winter Park, FL.  After graduating from Rollins, I then continued my life in Mansfield, Texas. Texas and I didn't mix, so I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my dream of getting discovered as an artist.  I lived in L.A. for 8 years performing, writing / co-writing and teaching.  I made countless connections and played a great amount of shows.  I had my own funk band that made everyone dance all night when we played!  The changing of times and goals moved me out of L.A. into Massachusetts this past October.  I thought that being a big fish in a smaller pond would help things, and it has. 

What Genre would you classify yourself as?

I would classify my music as Funky Pop.

What is it that drove you to pursue a career in music, along with what drives you individually as a musician?

I have always been in front of crowds singing and performing, and I am extremely comfortable in that setting, and love it.  When I started writing music, I realized that it was what I was "supposed to be doing"!

What struggles have you faced with having your music heard and getting your name recognized by outside markets? 

I think that I have gotten more positive feedback rather than bad but it seems that the higher ups, that could make my music heard WORLD WIDE, don't want to take a chance on something new and different even though it's good.  

What kinds of things do you do to promote yourself? 

Performing live shows as much as possible while promoting online via Myspace, Facebook, Bebo, Imeam and email Blast lists.  I’ve also recently joined the New England Songwriters guild.  

Is there a predominant message you hope to get across in your songs?  

I preach the law of attraction, visualizing what you want and bringing it to your self through this law.  I also write about LOVE a lot because I am very fortunate to have found it.  Six out of the eleven tracks on my album VISUALIZE ('09) are about the love of my life.

What are your thoughts on the future of the music industry and where it’s going?

I know it will be harder for us musicians to get noticed, but I think that if you want it bad enough, and are good enough, YOU WILL SHINE THROUGH.  Music is needed in this crazy world and I can't think of anything I would rather do than write music to make people feel better, or DANCE!

Are you currently unsigned, and do you plan on staying independent?

I had been signed by GoDigital Media Group, based out of Santa Monica, CA.  They put my album online ONLY, on about 8 online music stores. (iTUNES, Napster, Amazon mp3, Aimey Street, Rhapsody... etc.)  This group has done very little else besides putting my songs online.  Virtually NO promotion.  The songs are online but won't sell because I don't know how to promote!  I am not really with them anymore since I moved, but my songs are still online represented by them.

What are your reasons for being an independent artist?

Mainly because there was no label interest.  

Who are some of your favorite artists?

Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson.

Do you ever feel that people will be missing out on your music because you are not signed to a major record label?

ABSOLUTELY.  All I want to do is be heard, and do it for a living.  I don't need "Bling"!

Your art can be very experimental. Do you ever wish there was an easier way to access the music you sample from, or wish that you had access to a huge library of undiscovered music, which is updated everyday by itself?

I don't sample music but a huge library of music would be nice.

What would you say if I told you that there’s a new force in Independent Music that will give you all of the power of the Major Labels and more, while at the same time giving you complete control over all aspects of your musical career, and you will never have to sign a thing? 

Sounds too good to be true!

And you would have access to the worlds first ever audio component auction, where pieces of songs are sold off at auction prices to be repurposed in other songs.  What kind of impact do you think that would have on your music?

It could be very interesting.

The only catch is you have to choose to use it to your benefit, or not.

It’s called Beat-Play.

Music Without Labels: iTunes talks About Purchasing LaLa.com

There has recently been talk of iTunes’ potential purchase of the music streaming website, lala.com. Currently iTunes is using the old model of paying for songs individually rather than buying entire albums. From this initial model, which iTunes had perfected, LaLa came along with a similar idea, with lower prices for the individual songs. Along with the purchasing of music, LaLa offers a streaming system in which you can listen to a song at anytime for the cost of 10 cents a song.

Currently this is all iTunes has to go for right now, being as their model has become outdated. They need something to keep them at the top of the music industry, so it’s understandable to see this being a potential investment.

The main issue lies within the model itself. There is not enough change being brought the table here. Beat-Play will dominate this model, offering more to the artists and fans through free promotion, social network media player, free online auction, and virtual estore. This will be the change that everyone had been searching for, where you will then be able to purchase your music for an extremely low price because the artists will also be receiving a piece of the ad-revenue based on the traffic to their page on Beat-Play. Upon the release of the site we will gladly welcome all of you to THE FUTURE OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY.

Founder and President of Music Without Labels, Dante Cullari, has been blessed with the pleasure to speak at this year’s Independent Music Conference in Northampton this Saturday at the Clarion Hotel in Northampton, MA, in which, he will be one of a select expert group of panelists, mentors, and workshop presenters, gathered to discuss empowering ideas for indie musicians to achieve success. The four day long IMC, offers many influential opportunities for independent artists, thanks to the educational and internetworking platform provided by the event’s coordinator, InterMixx.

            Featured panelist, Dante Cullari, has been invited to discuss the underlying issues within the current music industry, while providing clear and insightful solutions to its impending transformation. Along with the ideas, Mr. Cullari has founded Music Without Labels to provide an effective, yet free, promotional outlet to the musicians experiencing the repercussion exerted by the current industry. Mr. Cullari states, “Artists should take advantage of the real promotional opportunities the Internet provides, in an effective way,” and suggests several tools to do so – INDEPENDENTLY.

            The Independent Music Conference is known for offering a resourcefully valuable learning experience for producers, musicians, industry professionals, students, and a dedicated online fan base of over 7000 supporters. Music Without Labels serves as an educational platform to discuss the issues, share, the solutions, and promote the organic evolution of the music industry.

COME OUT AND SEE FOR YOURSELF!!!

            For additional information and/or tickets to the IMC, please contact them at 203.606.4649, or visit www.imc09.com. For further information on MWL, catch them at www.musicwithoutlabels.com, or call 717.412.0341.

Has anyone ever heard of mini days? It's a productivity system that streamlines your physical movements for optimum production with no burn out. It is similar to Henry Ford's assembly line where instead of having one person put the tires on, and then they go and work on the engine, and then go and tighten the bolts, and so on, each person is specified a specific task where each person only performs one physical movement at a time. They might put only tires on many different cars for a period of 4 hours, and then might move to tightening bolts for a couple of hours, but they are not wasting time walking around, getting the tools they need for one job, and then going and doing the same thing with other jobs that need to be done, and wasting more time. Each action is streamlined. This is how Henry Ford turned the process of producing cars from a hundreds-a-day process to a thousands-a-day process, which we now call mass-production. It can be the same for your phone calls, word processing, school work ect. Define your tasks by the physical movements you make. Select a set amount of time each day dedicated to that task. Set up a time schedule for when you will perform each task each day. An example might be Phone Calls, Operations (could be anything), Meetings, In my case updating my website, ect.  Work only for that set amount of time, and even if you don't finish what you start, move on to the next task when the time is up. This way you are chipping away at many things each day, without getting worn out by any of them, and by the end of a week you may have your whole list completely done, with no unneeded stress or seemingly hard effort. These little spurts of productivity are called mini days because once your done with one it's almost like starting a brand new day doing something completely different. It can work wonders! Remember it's all about streamlining your physical movements so you don't waste time for example typing something, then remembering you have to call someone, and then going back to typing. Block everything into time slots so you can use your time as efficiently as possible. Just thought I'd share because no one seems to have ever heard of it and everyone I tell uses it and loves it. I learned this trick in a pretty amazing book I've read. If anyone wants to know more email me at Dante@musicwithoutlabels.com and I'll tell you more about the book..you may not believe me when I tell you about it..