whoisiamamiwhoami?

Hello again.

I write this time to discuss the latest music viral in town.

This short video was posted on the YouTube from the new user 'iamamiwhoami' on the 4th of December, with the title 'Prelude 699130082.451322':

Trees with legs, over electronic music cut to what appears to be a pig giving live birth.

It garnered a fair amount of attention, but not much was said or written about it until, on the 7th of January, another clip was posted, this one titled '9.1.13.669321018':

This one set the blogosphere off, trees with human anatomy, a mud-covered girl. and yet more awesome music. hundreds of people have tried to guess who it is, from MGMT to Lady GaGa. but still no one knows.

On the 24th January the longest and strangest video yet, but with the music starting off much more ambiently, again, with the numbered title '9.20.19.13.5.723378':

So, who is it:

well, although it isn't known for certain the blogosphere has kindly pointed out who is most likely, and that's a surprising array of artists:

Aphex Twin:

The electronic musician hasn't released an album since 2006's 'Analord' has speculation has been building about a new album for quite some time now.

Bjork:

Although the music could well be from a Bjork album, she has no new music expected anytime soon.

Christina Aguilera:

Christina has a new album 'Bionic' due out early this year, which has been 4 years in the making and she has said it will sound different to her other material.

This along with the videos use of amniotic fluid and images of birth, as Christina has stated that the birth of her son has lead to a change in musical direction, and we all know she's made alter-egos before (Xtina).

Add to this that some claim to have disciphered the title codes as her initials "CH/AG"

However her publicist has denied all claims it's her.

Goldfrapp:

Again, it sounds like it could be Goldfrapp, and the fact that Alison Goldfrapp bears a similarity to the girl in the videos is helping fuel speculation her way. but given the folk/acoustic sound of their last album 'seventh tree', and that the cover for their upcoming album 'Head First' looks like this and it seems unlikely that the dark scenery of the videos could come from them right now.

However, they are an electronic band and have also been known to use owl imagery in their videos.

The Knife:

Well, they're odd enough. And they are said to be releasing a studio version of an opera based on Charles Darwin, so with all the imagery of forests, birth and amniotic fluid in the videos it could well be them.

Lady GaGa:

Highly speculated due to her likness with the girl in the video and her love off being a 'bit odd' and kicking up a stir. but she's still promoting her album 'The Fame Monster'. so it seems is rather unlikely

MGMT:

Their second album 'Congratulations' is being released with no singles A'la Led Zeppelin and is said to be very different to their first.

Trent Reznor:

The Nine Inch Nails front man has always had a reputation for doing things differently and constantly innovating, doubled with the fact that he has virally promoted albums before:

Also, he recently promised new music both from Nine Inch Nails, and from a "non-Nine Inch Nails project" (widely believed to be a musical collaboration with his wife and other artists). this could well be associated with him.

Who do I think it is, I honestly don't know, but my money's on Christina or Trent.

Either way and whoever it is, this viral campaign is working, with over 300,000 views on YouTube these videos are popular and have sparked discussion about whoever it is.

Shep.

EDIT(s):

• It Isn't The Knife, their new album 'Tomorrow, In A Year' was released for download on the 28th. (and is available to listen to on the left hand side of this page)

• I had to re-upload the videos as they we're taken down and re-uploaded due to copyright infringement. hence why you now can't see the pig/goat live birth in the first video.

The Birth Of Dissent...

I've just been inspired by Miss Lomas's podcast on 'Illegally downloading music' to write down some of my thoughts about the issue.

I've tried to make it as coherent as possible so apologies if it reads a bit like a rant.

Why do people pirate music?

Well, I can't help but think that it isn't as clear cut as some people would have us believe. I do not in the slightest believe that the majority of people who pirate do it just because it's free (yeah, there's probably a fringe element who do, but they are the minority).

For example, your favourite artist releases an album next week that you have already pre-ordered. but it's been leaked onto the internet (by another fan who just wants people to hear it (there's no money involved in BitTorrent leaks)), are you, as the music industry would have you believe, actually committing a crime and being morally repugnant in downloading the album or a few songs from it?. No, of course you're not.

I pay for music, and I have ALOT of music. but I still pirate. why? well the aforementioned leaks, I'm always checking out new bands I've heard about. but as a general rule, the majority of music I've downloaded that I've liked, I've gone and bought.

Proof...

And yet, in the eye's of the music industry, I'm eating into the profits of artists and preventing new talent coming through... and yet, somehow, there's no lack of new artists coming through. all that's changing is the way they're being recognised. either virally through the piracy of their music (major example of this is the Arctic Monkeys, whose debut album was the fastest selling debut in history, because it was on the internet, and people had heard it, and they wanted to go out and buy it), or through increased exposure on the tour circuit.

Another argument they make is that every download equals a lost sale. This simply isn't the case. People will download music that been recommended to them without hearing it first because it's free. That doesn't mean that they would have necessarily gone out and bought it.

The Labels

One major factor affecting the amount of piracy going on is the increasing hypocrisy of record labels.

When file sharing was first being realised as an issue for the music industry, they had two options... to embrace this new frontier, explore the options open to them to increase their revenue and give consumers a choice, this would have given consumers the option to work with the industry in supporting artists and lowering piracy levels. or the other option, to restrict it as much as possible, by shutting down sites that allowed people to share music, suing people who uploaded songs and generally treating music fans like shit.

We all know which road they went down.

And so, for years the major labels used their influence and wealth to bully individuals into paying thousands of pounds for downloading a few songs (note the case of Jammie Thomas, who was ordered by court to pay $80,000 PER SONG, for 24 counts of infringement. a total fine of $1.92m)

I think it's clear to see who the crooks are in this scenario, and it's not the fans who download music.

All the while the music industry has claimed poverty (while enjoying some of their most profitable years ever), and even asked for money to fight pirates from the US banks bail-out during the recession.

You will notice that they always point towards a decline in album sales as definitive proof that piracy is to blame. yet you will rarely see them pointing out that sales of digital singles has risen dramatically. Weird that.

Yet, while the labels fought with file-sharers, the file-sharers were doing something far more constructive, creating a musical utopian community. where a fan of a band could go and get copies of artists stuff that wasn't available in the shops, rarities and b-sides which would otherwise costs hundreds to track down, and yes, leaks. albums that weren't even available in shops could be downloaded off the internet. everything for free.

early on there was nothing stopping the labels stepping in and monetizing this with say, a monthly or weekly fee to use it. yet, they decided that attempting to stop it would be more profitable and worthwhile.

There is also evidence that it is the labels stranglehold on artists that is causing the artists to lose money.

For those who do not know this, when an artist signs to a label, the label retains the legal rights to all music produced by the band for the length of the contract.

This stranglehold is detrimental to the artist and a lifeline for labels.

Many established artists now do not need the labels sucking their income away from them, but cannot do anything about it due to contracts signed long ago (the average contract is for 7 studio albums).

It was recently pointed out that that even with the free streaming service spotify, where it appears the labels are outwardly showing signs of trying to adapt. they are still up to their old tricks. with over a million plays on the service you'd think Lady GaGa was doing fairly well from it. well she's not, a million plays has earned her the grand total of $167.

This is nothing to do with the service itself, independents can earn $0.03 per play, which would have earned her $30,000. instead, because the labels own the music, it's all gone to them.

As you can probably tell, for all labels moaning that piracy is destroying their business, it is probably something they deserve. they allowed it to get like this by pursuing individuals with fines as a way to fund themselves rather than investing in innovation.

Let the dinosaurs die I say. or as Demonbaby puts it:

For the major labels, it's over. It's fucking over. You're going to burn to the fucking ground, and we're all going to dance around the fire. And it's your own fault. Surely, somewhere deep inside, you had to know this day was coming, right? Your very industry is founded on an unfair business model of owning art you didn't create in exchange for the services you provide. It's rigged so that you win every time - even if the artist does well, you do ten times better. It was able to exist because you controlled the distribution, but now that's back in the hands of the people, and you let the ball drop when you could have evolved.

Innovation

So, if bands don't want to be sucked dry of any cash they have in a rapidly changing market, where do they go now?

Nine Inch Nails have innovated in the release and distribution of albums, without the backing of any major labels, and have been financially successful.

This goes back to 2007, the band were signed to interscope records and touring for an upcoming album release 'Year Zero'. at the time they were experimenting in building an ARG (Alternative Reality Game) based on the concept of the album. as part of this they released songs on USB sticks to fans at the shows, the fans then uploaded these songs online and created hype for the album.

also, they were becoming disfranchised by the labels management of leaks and piracy, here's a video from that tour shortly after the album release...

Following this the band were free from their record label, so what did they do.

They made an instrumental album 'Ghosts I-IV' and released it, for free.

the album came with a range of physical packages ranging from the free download, Double CD for $10 up to a Ultra-Deluxe Limited Edition signed box set for $300. the 2500 box sets sold out in a day, earning a gross profit of $750,000. and yet, they carried on innovating.

2 months later they released 'The Slip', again for free. no special packages this time, just the free download, and a limited edition CD and vinyl.

Within a month the album had been downloaded 1.4 million times and the 250,000 CD's had sold out.

What's more, with no label these albums were released under a Creative Commons copyright licence, in effect this allowed fans to legally "Remix it, share it with your friends, post it on your blog, play it on your podcast, give it to strangers etc."

Of course Nine Inch Nails aren't the only band innovating like this, Radiohead released their album 'In Rainbows' on a pay-what-you-like basis.

And Bloc Party's 'Intimacy' was rush-released online to prevent leaks and maximise profit.

For those who are wondering how new bands can establish themselves without the distribution network of a label I advise you read Trent Reznors article on the subject. highly useful and informative.

So, here we are in 2010, with the music industry still treating downloaders like shit. If only they'd take a look in the mirror.

Piracy isn't a threat to music, Major labels with excessive middle management, too much power and money are the real threat.

Apologies for the length and rant-like nature of this post. but the whole issue really pisses me off.

That's all for now.

Remember, Sharing Is Caring

And here's some free music from a forward thinking band.

Shep.

EDIT:

since writing and posting this two relevant articles have been released.

firstly this study was published, proving that pirates are the music industry's most valuable customers.

and secondly, Ed O'Brien (better known as Radiohead's guitarist) came out and said he doesn't believe pirates are killing music.

A Playlist

Ok, so it's a few weeks late, but here is my best of 2009 in music...

hope you enjoy it.

For those of you with spotify i've also put it into a playlist for you.

Shep.

EDIT: after much trial and error I cannot embed the playlist I made into the blog (which really kinda sucks), but you can listen to it here. and at the aforementioned spotify link.

Major Slut Spill

Breaking News:

(NSFW Video)

VH1 Reality Show Bus Crashes In California Causing Major Slut Spill

Brought to you The Onion.

Shep

No Pants Day

Just a quick one highlighting something done by the New York based 'Improv Everywhere' group.

A group which uses the tagline 'We Cause Scenes'. It's mission is to "cause scenes of chaos and joy in public spaces".

This particular stunt involves members boarding a pre-specified subway train, and when on the carriage they were to take off their pants while keeping a straight face and ignoring other passengers.

This started in 2002 in New York, and the group this year claims more than 3,000 people took part. As well as it happening in 43 other cities spanning 16 countries.

No Pants 2010 Buenos Aires

From the BBC

Shep.

Storm

Not entirely sure what this is, but it's Tim Minchin, therefore it's bound to be good.

EDIT:

OK, after a little research I discovered it to the the trailer for the animation of this 9 minute beat poem by Tim, well worth a listen. As usual Tims intelligence and reasoned logic shines through.

Shep.

The Big Freeze

Hello again,

Since I last wrote on here there has been what some are calling "a disaster" occuring in our

country. The worst of it's kind to hit in 25 years.

It's caused our infrastructure to fail, roads, trains and airports are closed or struggling.

Our emergency services are struggling to respond to the accidents it's causing. and schools around the country have had to close. And it's set to worsen.

I think you should all be aware that I am talking about the Siberian snow drifts we're currently experiencing.

Now obviously, many people are struggling to go about their normal lives at the moment,

But, I don't mind at all. firstly, I love snow, Secondly, I love a bit of social disruption.

And people love to complain:

As I write this I'm currently watching 'The Big Freeze: A BBC News Special'. one of the most

scaremongering pieces of news journalism i've seen in a while.

The papers are complaining about a lack of grit and limited gas supplies. and of course our politicians have turned it into an excuse to bicker at opposing parties.

One particularly annoyingly retarded piece of anti-science propaganda today came from the Daily Express who claimed that the snow disproves global warming...

Hello?

The heaviest snow fall in 25 years proves that our climate is stable, How?

Right-wing Retards.

Anyway, I'd like to end this on a positive note and acknowledge and thank the great work of our emergency services and civil servants who are working tirelessly to help those who need it, and yet appear to be receiving only complaints that each of the country's roads isn't gritted, snow ploughed or whatever else the complainers are complaining about.

Also on a positive note, In China the 26th annual 'Harbin Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival' is taking place, and instead of moaning, the Chinese make a spectacle out of the harsh weather...

Images from The Big Picture.

That's all for now.

Shep.

Progress Fail.

Hey again folks.

I know you've missed me.

I feel a rant is in order. About the state of things, or to be more specific, the state of TV.
As we enter the second decade of the new millenium one would assume that we'd all be watching documentaries on the latest missions into space as we aim to advance our culture, learn about our place in the universe and create a better world for all.

But, we're not.
Instead we are 'treated' to watching people in a house, and then we get the absolute pleasure of voting them out of said house.
I am of course talking about 'Celebrity' Big Brother*.

Yep, only 2 short weeks since the end of the X-Factor TV producers have decided what would really break the reality show monotony is another reality show. well decided there, fuckers.

And the worst part?
People will actually watch it, sad lonely people who left education at the age of 16 to get a job because they can't spell properly, and iNsteAD ~REVerT~ 2 Typin n SpELlIn lyk DIs will lap it up.

Unfortunately people generally like untalented pricks repeating the same formula over and over again (case in point, Oasis).
These idiots also happen to know me (apparently) and therefore take great pleasure in filling up my facebook and twitter feeds with a tsunami of inane comments. by the way, I WILL be extending my popular 'delete-a-friend facebook advent' to cover these comments, so if you know me on there, just think before you post**.

And before you comment to say so, I know that in the case of Big Brother channel 4 has seen sense and this is the last series (bar one more non-celebrity one).
However, we all know that some other bright spark will come up with some brand new reality show concept called 'I-slept-with-a-celebrity and I shit on talent' or some other bollocks.

However, I'm well aware I'm a hypocrite, should TV producers ever decide to create my idea for a reality show 'celebrity bomb disposal' then I for one, and hopefully millions of others would regularly tune in to see how much mankind's gene pool improves each week.

Well, I said this was a rant and that's exactly what I've given you. because I deliver on my promises.

Before I go I'd like to change the subject and link you to this website, where I think you should put your email address in the little box and recieve one of the best song's i've heard in a while.

That's all for now.
Shep.




*I use the word celebrity with extreme caution, from what I can tell the contestants only go in the house because their careers are failing. not exactly the dictionary definition of the word.

** I realise that telling Big Brother viewers to think is completely paradoxical and utterly pointless. hell they can't even read.