Music and Politics: Do they Mix

We all have our political views, but when you start mixing music and your beliefs together what will be the outcome likely.  The 2012 Presidential elections are coming up soon and the politicians are pulling out all the stops.  More and more celebrities are endorsing political campaigns.  It really makes you wonder on how much does music has to do with politics.  Do music and politics mix?  If you’re favorite artist was endorsing a candidate that you didn’t care for would you still support them?   Music gives you the freedom to write and sing about whatever you like.  The connection between music and politics has gone back many years. We have music in our patriotic songs, political campaigns, national anthem and anti-war songs.

Greenwald, Schneider and Mapes (2012) stated, “Music and politics have long gone hand in hand. But the two haven't always seen eye-to-eye. From protest songs of Woodie Guthrie to the streetside concerts of Occupy Wall Street.” A few examples of when music and politics didn’t mix were when Former President Ronald Regan used Bruce Springsteen’s song “Born in the U.S.A. in 1984 without permission. John McCain used the Foo Fighters, Jackson Browne and John Mellencamp without permission.  Sarah Palin’s play the song “Barracuda” by the Heart’s without permission.  Lets not forget about when The Dixie Chicks were boycotted for talking about being ashamed of Former President George W. Bush while on tour.  The music industry was just in an uproar over ‪Nicki Minaj endorsing Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney.  So who says that the music and politics don’t mix?  I think music plays an important role in politics, all the way back to the 1700.  You will always have to consider where and when you are playing this music.  Music will always have a way of making you feel a certain kind of way.  Music can bring you together or tear you apart. 

On a positive note Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s decided to create a vision to mix music and politics.  Her vision will feature over 21 countries touring around the United States to bring people together to engage and create a better understanding of our difference in Diplomacy.   According to an Office of the Spokesperson (2012) “The One Beat Program will start in New Smyrna Beach, FL and tour to Charleston, SC; Asheville, NC; Floyd, VA; Roanoke, VA; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia, PA; and New York, NY to engage with local musicians, and conduct outreach workshops with local youth.”

So I asked the question before, if your favorite artists supported a political campaign would you still support that artist?  These are things that make you wonder and question what roles music plays in our life.  How much does music influence what we do in our life? You can deliver a powerful message when, where, what and how this song the performed. 

The beauty of music is the creation of where it comes from, so be
unique and different!

Sing, write, compose and produce from your heart!

The Music Industry Digital Road Map

It’s evident to compete in the music industry you will have to change how and where you market your artist. The digital landscape has changed how we market, manufacture and distribute music in the digital era. The old business model of being signed by a record label is a thing of the past. You no longer need the help of the record label’s manufacturing and distribution outlets to get your music out to the fans.

Social media and the Internet have changed the way we market and promote an artist. It is now conceivable for an independent artist to record, manufacture and distribute their own music and keep all the copyrights and royalties themselves. One might think the new business model is evil and working against the music industry. On the other hand, the independent artist is embracing and moving forward to showcasing their music on an international level.

Digital marketing has opened up a whole new medium for your artist to reach the international level and engage your fans. You will now have to reach more fans than you ever had before. A typical fan will come across your music several ways thanks to the Internet. They will hear about it on a social media platform like Facebook, blog websites, Tumblr, Stumbleupon or Twitter.

In order to keep your new fan base you will have to make sure to continue to build a relationship with your fans. The Internet has changed the way that artists interact with their fan base. You need to constantly engage your fans and let them know they matter.

Strategy Advisors from Vertygo Teams states, “Music is Art and Music has to be considered and treated by Record Companies Executives as Art. 
Therefore Marketing Executives have to step back, and adopt a smarter marketing strategy. Which is "let the band play and just stepback" marketing strategy. The best marketing strategy in Music is simple: Passion and Inspiration. This should be the marketing drive in music. The Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Doors, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd were highly successful just because they were making great music, and because there were many music lovers who were liking it. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Music is a unique art form and with the Internet and digital age, it is now more interactive than before. You as the listener can now listen to your favorite artist via your Android cell phones, streaming media, iPods and Internet radio. According to Bas Grasmayer. “You have to develop a party analogy and treat every listener as a guest to your house party. If you don’t introduce them to others, you’ll be the center of attention all the time, but you can’t talk to everyone at the same time, so people are likely to get bored and leave. The key to a successful party is connecting the strangers, so they can have fun together. 

       

Evolution of Music: The Impact of Digital on the Music Industry [INFOGRAPHIC]

BY ARJAN DE RAAF

The beauty of music is the creation of where it comes from, so be unique and different!

Sing, write, compose and produce from your heart!