Rolling Stone magazine, the venerable American music magazine, hit it's fortieth anniversary in 2007. Like many 'old school' content businesses they are still struggling with what content to put online and what to save for the physical edition. So sadly all the quotes from their 'Future Of Music' feature in the 15th of November special issue of the magazine are not available online, although a few quotes they didn't use in the magazine are available here.
So for those of you who missed out on the article, here are a few choice quotes, which certainly give an interesting perspective on where artists head's are at right now. It seems that both record labels and brands need to work a lot harder on the relationship they have with artists…
Did the internet help or hurt music?
It's the beginning of a new revolution in entertainment, period – not just music but film and television and communication. It's a snowball running down a hill. You can embrace it or fight it. You look at the labels , they're fighting it, fighting it, and they've fought it for so long. Justin Timberlake
I don't know if "democratizing" is the right world, but it's definitely levelled the playing field regarding who can hear what…For all the moaning and groaning about the music industry, ultimately it's never been better. Chris Martin, Coldplay
Will record companies still exist in the future?
I think that record companies or major labels, at least, are becoming obsolete. Let's put it this way: The meteor's hit and the dust cloud is in the air, and now we are just waiting for the dinosaurs to die, and then you wait for the new breed. It's the Wild West – no one has a clue what to do. Pete Wentz, Fallout Boy
I hope the labels break up. There used to be more labels, and people did things more creatively. James Murphy, LCD Soundsystem
No, and they know it, and that's why they're trying to change their model structure for how they sign new artists. When we signed our deal, it was just about screwing us out of our album sales. Now they try and screw them by getting half of their touring and their merchandising and publishing. And that's ridiculous. Natalie Maines, Dixie Chicks
And if the label bosses are getting it wrong, how would the artists change things…
I would put most of the money into artist development. The labels need to plant seeds and let them grow. John Mayer
Things will always bend back towards reality. The music business is entering the new realm now: "sorry, we're not going to give you $50 million anymore." Jack White, White Stripes
And it's not just the labels getting it wrong…
You have to endorse products! I was asked to endorse a hair spray, and it was the most soul-destroying thing. Record companies are trying to take all the money off the bands these days, so it forces you into selling yourself to those evil massive corporations.Lily Allen
Is Selling Out, the new Opting In?
There is no such thing as selling out anymore, because there's no opposite of selling out. If you have your song on a car commercial, it's because your band needs to eat. It doesn't mean what it used to mean. John Mayer
And finally, art for art's sake?
The reality is, to me, I don't really see it as a business. I'm still one of those people who see music as art, and maybe it's really naive, but maybe I'm the future. That would be amazing. M.I.A.
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