interdependence
patreon
Interdependence 5 - Liz Pelly
🕑 Added 2020-06-03 23:20:22 +0000 UTCIn this episode we speak with the writer Liz Pelly, who over the past 5 years has written a series of revelatory critical pieces about the streaming economy for The Baffler.
We discuss whether the distinction of Independence is all that useful in music at this point in history, take a look at the ways in which the streaming platforms flatter some kinds of music and have flattered to deceive for others, and question what the recent Spotify exclusivity deal with Joe Rogan might mean for musicians.
This is a nice and long conversation, and we had one or two connection issues, so forgive us if you notice one or two jarring edits!
Check out Liz's work online here:
https://thebaffler.com/authors/liz-pelly
Comments
Mat
I feel the same, tbh I don't buy vinyl (Mat). I don't think either of us advocate for the production of more physical objects that need to be shipped around, and actually that patronage relationships like this one (albeit in necessarily diverse implementations) are maybe the ideal scenario. That way the voice in your head is easier to answer I think, because without your contributions the art that you are enjoying would not happen. We don't need expensive physical objects to create that connection, even though for the time being I still think it is great that people support by purchasing records.
I've got a decent regular income now and I've started buying records again (I haven't bought music regularly since I was a teenager and had teenage levels of outgoings) and I've just realised the psychological impact that the axiology of pay-per-play has had on me. I'm sitting looking at a bunch of Emptyset records and thinking "I haven't listened to these very much, was that value for money purchase".
Mat
Sorry Cynthia for some reason our longer comment didn't post! Thanks for this great context. I particularly agree with the hidden costs of rentier platforms - web 2 was characterized by the network effect mantra of making these platforms effortless to participate in, however the cost of that was, as you mentioned, having these activities happen within an environment primed for advertising. I am seeing really encouraging signs now of a WYSIWYG culture economy. If you want music/news/software, pay a person for their service, and have them focus on making that service as good as it can be without ulterior intentions. Anyway, thanks again!
