If the words “digital music” still make you think of Kraftwerk, you may be a little behind the times. Although, Kraftwerk was ahead of its time, so you might … well, never mind.
As we talked about back in October, digital downloads and the digital music scene in general are more popular than ever. In fact, some artists are going completely inside the computer (yes, like Jeff Bridges in 1982’s Tron). Recently, Irish rockers Ash announced that their newest album, “Twilight of the Innocents,” would be their last conventionally produced and distributed release. Going forward, Ash has decided to concentrate on releasing singles digitally, therefore simplifying distribution and everything that goes along with it. Collectors already feared the death of the physical album – could the concept itself be in peril?
Though most artists may not convert themselves into singles-only projects, there is still much freedom to be had for the more conventional musician. Nine Inch Nails recently released “Ghosts”, a 36 track instrumental album, available for only digitally for only five bucks (and the first nine songs are free.)
Now that Madonna left her label and signed with LiveNation, she is focusing more on digital–and wireless. In the UK, Vodaphone sold a song a day from Hard Candy, her new album, the week leading up last Monday’s release. Verizon and Vodafone also announced that they will be providing a live, mobile simulcast of Madonna’s Roseland Ballroom show in New York City. This is in addition to her mobile-only remix of “Four Minutes”. Our question: do you really want to pay $1.99 to get that on your phone when you can download it for a dollar on your computer–or from limewire for free?
-Forest Taylor, NGT Contributor from FH Minneapolis
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