Internet Radio? You bad, bad boy…

One of the fastest growing sectors of the music industry is without doubt Internet Radio.

However, short of blurring out this editorial while scream-writing all manor of F, C and S-bombs, there couldn’t be a dirtier 2 word combination, as far as labels and right’s owners go. What’s going on?

I’ve been involved with internet radio for nearly as long as I’ve been online. It’s simply the best (and least contrived) way of exposing and finding new music. DJs rarely have station owners or programmers telling them what to play, advertising dollars are simply too small to warrant any kind of content influence (nor would they want to; it’s that cool, edge they’re buying into) and generally those involved are tired of the tedious ‘Top 40’ nature of today’s broadcast radio. More often than not, what you hear on internet radio will be anything but the music you usually hear on your FM dial!

So where is the problem? Some would say there isn’t one. Others take a far dimmer view on proceedings. Well, you would, wouldn’t you… if you’d spent the better part of 55 years devising a licensing structure that suppressed any kind of broadcast development in underground and underexposed material? You don’t want to collect royalties for those guys. They’re small fry, and it’s just going to take too much effort. Those stations should be playing what you tell them to play anyway, right? Keep suing guys, keep suing - those 11 year old’s from Iowa are going to crack eventually, and then you only need another 11,472,694 cases brought to trial, and you’ll be back making the big bucks.

The point… Yes, there is one. I’m sure this warrants at least 25 years at Guantánamo Bay, but we’d like to introduce you to your new dirtiest secret…

http://www.filtermusic.net/

Some of these stations are absolutely fantastic – serving up original music and programming, and often providing insightful information and references to new music of all genres. Use at your own risk! (We kid! There is NOTHING ILLEGAL about listening to internet radio.)

Enjoy!