To Spotify, or not to Spotify – for that is the question of the age: Whether to be popular and bought and paid for – or unpopular and unpaid – whether to suffer from the loneliness of being among the unheard, or the disdain of the few who hate, hate, hate you for who you are and what they perceive you to be. Yeah, okay … so my Shakespeare is shaky; it’s been 40+ years since I’ve read any. But for those who record today the issue is among the most talked about and debated.
Taylor Swift made news recently when her record label deleted her new album “1989” from Spotify – instead forcing the album into the physical and digital marketplaces, primarily Target and iTunes. Whether this was a good long term business strategy, or simply a shrewd way to force Taylor’s fans to buy instead of stream, it at least excited a conversation about how RECORDING ARTISTS are paid for the work they produce for our enjoyment.
Wait! This ain’t about Colorado music! — Yes. It. Is. This continues to be a conversation that dominates the local artist scene. It’s time we at least start to acknowledge that streaming is in – buying is out. NOT SO FAST, you say? Okay. Which is more popular, iTunes download store or Pandora? Pandora or Spotify? And let’s not forget YouTube, the single most dominant music discovery site in the world.
How many actual physical cds did you buy in 2014? Did you buy those physical cds from a store, or from CDBaby, Amazon, or a band website or at a show? Or did you, like most of us today, simply dial up Spotify or YouTube – places where virtually NO MONEY IS MADE (or so little it may as well be none) for our friends who spend upwards of $12,000 or more to produce a full length album at one of our incredible regional recording studios – or who make investments totalling THOUSANDS to produce records in home studios. This is NOT an inexpensive venture we’re talking about here.
For me it’s about fans BUYING from the merch table at the show. It’s about spending not only the $5 cover (are you kidding me?) – or the $15 on three beers (which the band gets nothing of ) – but about spending $5-$15 on an EP or LP cd at a show – the last real place we’re likely to see any measurable sales for most of our friends in scene.
Christmas is coming up — what do you think — BUY LOCAL – SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC. That is all.
Speaking of Christmas – got wonderful news hours after show production deadline this week that Poco (and I believe Richie Furay separately), Firefall, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Manassas will all be inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame at the Paramount Theater on Friday January 9, 2015. Show details to be announced later this month. Congrats to all of the incredible Colorado musicians past and present who will be a part of that incredible gift.
(D) = debut of single, ep, or lp (N) = new single from previously debuted ep or lp
HOUR 1
The Apples in Stereo “Shine A Light” from Tone Soul Evolution (1997) The Christines “In Your Space” from Living At the Bottom of the Sea (1996) (N) Longest Day Of The Year “Black Horse Canyon” from Carapace (2014) Musketeer Gripweed “End of the Day” from Floods and Fires (2014) Calder’s Revolvers “See To Believe” from Sunday Morning (2014) (D) Chimney Choir “Motion” from Motion (2015) Toad In the Hole “Wiser” from APT 203 (2013) Big Gigantic “Touch the Sky” from The Night Is Young (2014) (D) Danielle Ate the Sandwich “Dream A Little Dream of Me” from Dream A Little Dream of Me (2015) Joe Johnson “Don’t Let Your Blue Eyes Cry” from A Time to Dance (2011) The Samples “The Whole World Can Sing” from America (2014) Rich Lamb “Deja Blue” from Music Along the Way (2008)
HOUR 2
Acoustic Junction “Where Is She Now” from Surrounded by Change (1995) Sixteen Horsepower “Coal Black Horses” from 16 Horsepower (1995) (D) Leftover Salmon “Western Sky” from High Country (2015) Sofie Reed “Down By the Riverside” from Red Hen (2014) Tennis “I’m Callin’” from Ritual In Repeat (2014) (D) Ark Life “Very Fine Friends” from Very Fine Friends (2015) Reed Foehl “Caroline” from Lost in the West (2014) (D) Lauren Brombert “Love’s Carousel” from Love’s Carousel (2015) Arthur Lee Land “Cracked Open” from Cracked Open (2013) The Motet “Afrotech” from Instrumental Dissent (2007)
Colorado Case Company a Fort Collins based, Colorado family owned business specializing in insulated soft cases, gig bags, case covers and rigid cases for most instruments, including hard to fit instruments.
SpokesBUZZ, a Colorado non-profit with a mission to develop the professionalism of artists, promote and connect progressive cultural destinations, amplify music scenes, and grow local economies. See event calendar for Spokesbuzz band shows.
The historic Mishawaka Amphitheatre, Northern Colorado’s Musical Playground, and seriously one of the most badass music venues in the state.
Please visit my friends’ sites. They keep this thing going. Much appreciated.
A SORE SUBJECT
I brought up the topic of royalties last month in this post. This month the subject of artist compensation was played out in both the radio world I addressed last month, and in the world of live performances. You can read about that situation here, but what it boils down to is how artists make money today.
A few months ago I began highlighting only those stations that tracked ten or more Colorado LP/EP or single titles per month. In September I added one more condition; the spins must be verifiable. Stations that do not provide a “real-time” online playlist are technically in violation of federal rules put in place so that those who own, and those who perform on a recording. can claim any royalties due from said performance.
Royalties are a major concern today. As real sales have declined, streaming has increased globally, and here at home. Terrestrial radio stations that broadcast over the Internet are considered as streaming content. The performers on the recording earn royalties from that “performance.” What’s not tracked can’t be paid on.
My hope is that the remaining few stations in the state not participating in offering a running order playlist understand the importance of this issue to the musicians whose music we seem to too often take for granted. Equally to the stations that are not fully implementing. BRAVO to those who get it.
JOB OPENING – PROGRAM & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR – KSUT IGNACIO COLORADO: Four Corners Public Radio, a component of KSUT Public Radio, located in Ignacio, CO (Durango area), seeks a Program and Operations Director who will manage the overall quality and delivery of station programs. Four Corners Public Radio is an award winning Triple A and Americana music station and an affiliate of National Public Radio. Program and Operations duties include programming oversight, traffic log management, automation management and regular air shifts. Candidates should have a strong broadcasting background, experience with radio automation, advanced computer and social media skills and a passion for public radio. A full job description can be found online at ksut.org. KSUT Public Radio is a Native American preference employer. Please send a cover letter and resume to rob@ksut.org by5pm, Nov. 3, 2014 or mail to KSUT, P.O. Box 737, Ignacio, CO.
OFFSTAGE …BEYOND THE MUSIC
Thanks to Richie Furay for being my October featured guest on OffStage …Beyond the Music. You can stream each of the Oct episodes at the Colorado Sound Soundcloud page … Reed Foehl is my featured guest for November. You can download weekly episodes at either KUNC or Radio94.9 … or stream them here.
VIDEO PICKS FOR OCTOBER
Featuring Gregory Alan Isakov, Chimney Choir, Esther Sparks & Whiskey Remedy, SHEL, Glowing House, Longest Day of the Year, Blue Canyon Boys, Tennis, Kissing Party, Ryan Chrys & the Roughcuts
TOP 40 Spins October 2014
231 titles tracked
101 (44%) titles reported as played at least once in the reporting period
Stations/shows surveyed: 15
(CC) = Colorado Connection
(D) = album/ep/single debut on chart
(R) = re-enter
[date] = Date added to reporting list
(5) 1. Hot Rize – When I’m Free (Thirty Tigers) Bluegrass [Sept 6, 2014]
(4) 2. The String Cheese Incident – Song in My Head (SCI Fidelity) Rock/AAA [April 12, 2014]
(3) 3. Tennis – Ritual in Repeat (Communion Records) Indie/New Alternative [Aug 14, 2014]
(8) 4. Kyle Hollingsworth – Speed of Life (SCI Fidelity) Rock [Sept 6, 2014]
(2) 5. Ark Life– The Dream of You & Me (Greater Than Collective) Rock/AAA [June 28, 2014]
(15) 6. Big Head Todd & the Monsters –Black Beehive (Shout! Factory) Rock/AAA [Jan 25, 2014]
(1) 7. Nathaniel Ratefliff – Falling Faster Than You Can Run (Mod y Vi Records) Folk [Sept 1, 2013]
(10) 8. Euforquestra – Fire (self) Rock/funk [Feb 22, 2014]
(12) 9. Gregory Alan Isakov – The Weatherman (Suitcase Town Music) Folk/singer-songwriter [June 22, 2013]
(11) 10. Reed Foehl – Lost in the West (NeverFoehl Records) Folk/singer-songwriter [Sept 13, 2014]
(6) 11. You, Me and Apollo – Sweet Honey (self) Indie/alternative [April 26, 2014]
(7) 12. A Shoreline Dream – The Silent Sunrise (self) Rock/alternative [Sept 6, 2014]
(27) 13. Rob Drabkin – Little Steps EP (self) Pop/AAA [Aug 1, 2013]
(9) 14. Elephant Revival– These Changing Skies (Its Evolving Records) Folk [Aug 1, 2013]
(R) 15. Analog Son – S/T (self) Jazz/Instrumental [July 19, 2014]
(28) 16. Chimney Choir – (compass) (self) Folk [June 1, 2013]
(R) 17. Richie Furay – Hand in Hand (self) Americana/country-rock [July 12, 2014]
(D) 18. Born to Wander – S/T (self) Jazz/vocal [Oct 1, 2014]
(29) 19. John Oates – Good Road to Follow (PS Records) Pop/AAA [March 18, 2014]
(D) 20. Quemando – Paradise (self) World/Latin [Oct 4, 2014]
(R) 21. Pretty Lights – A Color Map of the World (8 Minutes 20 Seconds) Urban Contemporary/EDM [July 2, 2013]
(13) 22. The Motet– The Motet (self) Urban Contemporary/funk [Jan 4, 2014]
(R) 23. Halden Wofford & the Hi*Beams – Rocky Mountain Honky Tonk (self) Americana/alt-country-rock [July 7, 2013]
(24) 24. 24. Pandas & People – S/T (self) Rock/AAA [July 5, 2014]
(R) 25. Jeff Finlin – My Moby Dick (self) Rock/AAA [May 26, 2014]
(R) 26. Musketeer Gripweed – Floods and Fires (self) Rock/jamband [March 29, 2014]
(R) 27. Head for the Hills – Blue Ruin (self) Bluegrass [June 1, 2013]
(35) 28. 35. Wendy Woo Band – Live (Woo Music) Pop/adult contemporary [June 1, 2013]
(21) 29. Mollie O’Brien & Rich Moore–Love Runner (Remington Road Records) Folk [Dec 21, 2013]
(R) 30. Katie Herzig – Walk Through Walls (Marion-Lorraine) Pop/adult contemporary [April 26, 2014]
(31) 30. Young Ancients – Y/A (self) Americana [Feb 22, 2014]
(R) 31. Katie Glassman & Snapshot – Dream A Little Dream (self) Americana/western swing [Nov 30, 2013]
(R) 31. Matt Skinner Band – Native Stranger (Tapedero Productions) Americana/country [Nov 9, 2013]
(R) 32.Fierce Bad Rabbit – Living Asleep (self) Rock/AAA [July 19, 2014]
(D) 33. Andy Palmer – Storm’s Not Coming (single) (self) Rock/AAA [Oct 4, 2018](34) 33. Paa Kow – Ask (self) Jazz/Instrumental/World [July 19, 2014]
(R) 34. Chain Station – Dancin’ With the Law (self) Bluegrass [March 14, 2014]
(R) 35. Maxwell Hughes – Only in Dreams (self) Jazz/Instrumental/guitar [August 1, 2013]
(22) 36. 3 Twins – De Nada (Sleeping Elephant Music) Americana [June 20, 2013]
(17) 36. The Railsplitters – The Railsplitters (self) Americana/bluegrass [Oct 1, 2013]
DROPPED OUT OF TOP 40 / OCTOBER
14. Paper Bird – Rooms
18. Esme Patterson – Woman to Woman
19. J. Miller Band – One More High, One More Low
20. Drew Schofield – 150 Million (-1)
22. Safe Boating is No Accident – Bonus Features
23. Strange Americans – That Kind of Luster
25. Aakash Mittal Quartet – Ocean
25. Jim Stranahan Little BIG BAND – Migration to Higher Ground
25. Steve Law Band – Old Oak Tree
26. Von Stomper – Von Stomper
27. Churchill – The War Within EP
28. Dragondeer – Don’t That Feel Good EP
29. Montropo – Follow Me
30. The Deadwood Saints – 6th and Trinity
31. Felonious Smith – Before the Rooster Crows
33. Grant Farm – Plowin’ Time
ADDED TO TRACKING / OCTOBER
…And the Black Feathers – Pink Black and Bruised
Ancient Elk – S/T EP
Andy Palmer – Storm’s Not Coming (single)
Born to Wander – S/T
Dana Landry Trio – Memphis Skyline
Esther Sparks & the Whiskey Remedy – Love Songs
Fruition & Grant Farm – Meeting On the Mountain
Gasoline Lollipops – Death
Glowing House – Don’t Know How
Jeremy Flood – What A Long Way Down (single)
Lisa Prank – Crush On the World
Longest Day of the Year – Carapace
Matt Skellenger – New Radio
Pan Astral – Color Field
Quemando – Paradise
Ron Miles, Bill Frisell & Brian Blade – Circuit Rider
Stella Luce – Caldera
The Maykit – Moonboy
Traitors to the Queen – You Are Braver Than You Think
STATION BY STATION
[XX] = number of reported current year (2013-2014) titles
Stations monitored for spins = KAFM, KBUT, KDUR, KGNU, KOTO, KRCC, KRFC, KRZA, KSJD, KSUT, KUNC, KVNF, OPENAIR 1340, The Colorado Sound radio show and The Colorado Sound LIVE365
KAFM (Grand Junction) [35]
1. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
2. Kyle Hollingsworth – Speed of Life
3. Big Head Todd & the Monsters – Black Beehive
3. Reed Foehl – Lost in the West
4. The Williams Brothers Band – Live at the Mesa Theater
KBUT (Crested Butte) [10]
1. The String Cheese Incident – Song in My Head
2. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
3. Nathaniel Rateliff – Falling Faster Than You Can Run
4. Elephant Revival – These Changing Skies
4. Grant Farm – Plowin’ Time
KDUR (Durango) [15]
1. Chain Station – Dancin’ With the Law
2. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
3. Born to Wander – S/T
3. Eurforquestra – Fire
3. Tennis – Ritual in Repeat
KGNU (Boulder) [15]
1. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
2. Gregory Alan Isakov – The Weatherman
2. Halden Wofford & the Hi*Beams – Rocky Mountain Honky Tonk
3. Head for the Hills – Blue Ruin
3. Otis Taylor – My World Is Gone
KRCC (Colorado Springs) [10]
1. Tennis – Ritual in Repeat
2. A Shoreline Dream – The Silent Sunrise
3. The String Cheese Incident – Song in My Head
4. Ark Life – The Dream of You
4. Chimney Choir – (compass)
KRFC (Fort Collins) [80+]
1. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
2. Fierce Bad Rabbit – Living Asleep
2. Musketeer Gripweed – Floods and Fires
3. Tennis – Small Sound
4. Reed Foehl – Lost in the West
KSUT (Ignacio) [10]
1. The String Cheese Incident – Song in My Head
2. Big Head Todd & the Monsters – Black Beehive
2. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
2. The Motet – The Motet
3. Elephant Revival – These Changing Skies
KUNC (Greeley) [20]
1. Hot Rize – When I’m Free
2. Ark Life – The Dream of You
2. Nathaniel Rateliff – Falling Faster Than You Can Run
3. Big Head Todd & the Monsters – Black Beehive
4. Gregory Alan Isakov – The Weatherman
OPEN AIR 1340 (Denver) [30+]
1. Ark Life – The Dream of You and Me
2. Tennis – Ritual in Repeat
3. Gregory Alan Isakov – The Weatherman
4. Colfax Speed Queen – Satisfaction Intended
5. Calder’s Revolvers – Sunday Morning
THE COLORADO SOUND [40]
1. Kyle Hollingsworth – Speed of Life
2. Richie Furay – Hand in Hand
2. Tennis – Ritual in Repeat
3. Analog Son – S/T
3. String Cheese Incident – Song in My Head
THE COLORADO SOUND LIVE365
TOP 5 MOST HEARD CURRENT YEAR TRACKS IN OCT.
1. Toad In the Hole – Wiser
1. Kramies – Wooden Heart
2. Mama Lenny & the Remedy – Loaded Gun
2. Euforquestra – Fire
3. Andy Palmer – Good Son
I don’t often post pics from friends’ FaceBook posts, but this is one time I couldn’t resist. Congrats to Sami Jo Lien and Bradley Weaver who went and got themselves legally married this weekend …and as usual for such celebrities, they managed to avoid the press by keeping it all a secret outside of family and close friends. Bradley is 1/5 of Ryan Chrys & the Rough Cuts, and Sami Jo is Senior Publicist at JKSCommunications according to her FB page.
In the meantime, Mrs Goat and I celebrated our anniversary (on the same day you guys?? Really?? Does this mean a joint anniversary party next year?) Congrats you two from Mr & Mrs Goat.
Local blues guitarist/vocalist James Speiser recently had a bike accident that required his elbow be replaced and a plate inserted into his wrist. James is a full time working musician. Like many in our scene he doesn’t have sufficient insurance to cover a situation like this. In a FB post from James this weekend he says, “With $92,000 in hospital bills and out of work, I have to thank MusiCares for helping me with some expenses and my surgeons cost. I have to thank David Booker and the Colorado Blues Society for hosting a benefit to help me. Denver has an amazing blues and music community and we really help each other out. I am very grateful.”
“The MusiCares Foundation, Inc., was established in 1989 by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Meant for musicians to have a place to turn in times of financial, personal, or medical crisis, its primary purpose is to focus the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues which directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. The foundation’s programs include emergency financial assistance, addiction recovery, outreach and leadership activities, and senior housing.” – wikipedia
On Oct 21, 2013, Musicare announced the establishment of the MusiCares Colorado Relief Fund in an effort to provide support to members of the music community affected by the September floods in Colorado. Assistance includes basic living expenses such as shelter, food, utilities, and transportation; medical expenses; clothing; instrument and recording equipment replacements; relocation costs; home repairs; debris removal; and more. (http://www.grammy.org/news/musicares-establishes-colorado-flood-relief-fund)
Not to be outdone or overlooked, the Colorado Blues Society is a Colorado 501C3 non-profit with a mission to “increase awareness of and appreciation for the Blues as an indigenous American Art form (and the wellspring from which all contemporary popular American music originated).” Although their primary function is education, the organization is also very active in relief efforts for local causes, and has been known to help out as they can when local blues artists are in need.
The Colorado Blues Society is hosting a benefit for James at Herman’s Hideaway on Nov 22. At the present time, it looks like the lineup will include Steve Crenshaw, David Booker, Delta Sonics, Chris Cheslin, Armando Lopez and maybe John Long, and will include special guest appearances by Pattie Melt and others. There may also be a silent instrument auction.
Speaking of blues, this weekend marks the closure of one of Colorado’s most loved, respected, and venerated blues establishments – Blues & Greens at The Boulder Outlook Hotel. Mrs Goat, Goat-boy, and I stopped by to say hi to old friends celebrating the end of an era. Here’s a snapshot of the day …
This is the week I pull spins data from around the state for the next NEWS NOTES & SPINS column due out NOV 1. It’s also the week I cut and edit the next Offstage …Beyond the Music, with November’s featured artist, Reed Foehl. Thanks to Richie Furay for being October’s featured artist. What a thrill.
It’s a very busy week in the goat den. This is also the final month for submissions for BEST OF consideration for 2014. Any new releases from October on are considered 2015 releases.
I have two underwriting/advertising opportunities available for The Colorado Sound, and its various properties. For more information, contact me directly via email at thecoloradosound@gmail.com
Video Pick of the Week
PLAYLIST S8|EP41 2014
(D) debuted lp, ep, or single
(N) new cut from previously debuted lp or ep
HOUR 1
Acoustic Junction “Where Is She Now” from Surrounded by Change (1993) The Simpletones “Tattooed Angels” from Squiggly (1996) The Seers “Deaf In June” from Cellophane Eyes (2014) Lion Drome “Winter” from Curve of the Earth (2014) My Body Sings Electric “Oceancrest” from Part 1: the Night Ends (2014) (D) Esther Sparks & the Whiskey Remedy “Forgive Me” from Love Songs (2014) The Lumineers “Ho Hey” from The Lumineers (2012) Matt Skinner Band “I’ll Keep Loving” from Native Stranger (2013) Jami Lunde “Some Place Tonight” from Big Black Birds (2011) Fierce Bad Rabbit “Beliefs” from Maestro & the Elephant (2013) Monroe Monroe “Engines Will Come” from Engines Will Come (2011) Brad Goode “All Fall Down” from Chicago Red (2013)
HOUR 2
Zephyr “Mad Dog” from Heartbeat (1982) The Apples in Stereo “Seems So” from Tone Soul Evolution (1997) Hot Rize “Blue Is Fallin’” from When I’m Free (2014) You Me and Apollo “Ghosts” from Sweet Honey (2014) Euforquestra “Take Me Dancing” from Fire (2014) Pandas & People “Still Young” from Pandas & People (2014) FaceMan “Tackle Me Down” from Talk Talk Talk (2013) Poco “A Good Feeling to Know” from The Essential Poco (2005) Richie Furay “Hand In Hand” from Hand In Hand (2014) (N) Reed Foehl “Caroline” from Lost in the West (2014) Analog Son “The Game” from Analog Son (2014)
To Spotify, or not to Spotify – for that is the question of the age: Whether to be popular and bought and paid for – or unpopular and unpaid – whether to suffer from the loneliness of being among the unheard, or the disdain of the few who hate, hate, hate you for who you are and what they perceive you to be. Yeah, okay … so my Shakespeare is shaky; it’s been 40+ years since I’ve read any. But for those who record today the issue is among the most talked about and debated.
Christmas is coming up — what do you think — BUY LOCAL – SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC. That is all.
Chris K's Colorado Playlist 