A summary and link to cutting-edge news from around the music industry by Josh

Muzak Files For Bancruptcy. Elevators Rejoice - Feb. 10 

Muzak Holdings LLC, the "over-leveraged" company infamous for making "elevator music" famous, has filed for bankcruptcy protection. Muzak hopes to weather the storm and continue to supply its more than 2 million song library to retailers who want to set the right mood. In "honor" of this turn of events - tell us your all-time favorite muzak version of a song?

The Resurgence of Vinyl- Feb 8

This article suggests that the growing dominance of digital music has contributed to a renewed interest in vinyl. There is something special about owning a physical product complete with artwork and liner notes. Also, many people prefer the analog sound to MP3s and CDs. Several of us here at Indaba has adopted a "digital and vinyl" strategy, whereby we buy both the digital version for our iPod etc. and the vinyl for collecting and home use. Anyone out there with us on this approach?

Case Study: Trent Reznor and the Future of The Music Industry - Feb 11

Here is an interesting article and video on a case study about how the RIAA and traditional music industry can learn from innovators such as the band Nine Inch Nails. Since embracing a more open form of releasing their music, NIN has achieved both commercial and creative success. Using the same licensing that we like to use here at Indaba - the less restrictive Creative Commons licenses - NIN made the entire album "Ghosts I-IV" avaialble to fans to remix and do what they please with the stems.

The Learning Power of Music! - Feb. 11

A study in the journal Social Science Quarterly reinforces what many already believe - that music participation in and out of school "has a positive effect on reading and mathematic achievement in early childhood and adolescence." This adds to the building evidence for keeping robust music programs in schools.