Free the musicians...

News that some artists (like Nine Inch Nails) have completely freed themselves of music business contracts doesn't surprise me. It makes me think "What took you so long?". I look forward to these more successful bands who can take the luxury to go "contract free" innovating and pushing the envelope. I think it wont be long before they are able to make an impact on music pricing by talking directly to companies like Apple to set far more favorable per-track prices on music. Or there is the Radiohead approach where they sell directly to the consumer.

Not that I think middle men in the music business have no role at all - like government subsidies and TV channel bundling on cable there is some case to be made that they help small bands get a jump start. But those arguments may only apply in today's closed and proprietary music business where you absolutely need a jump start, to "be discovered" as it where. Without some folks in a fancy LA office deciding to turn their marketing dollar laser on you you'll just get lost in noise. In a new consumer driven market that may not be necessary at all - all you need to be successful is good music and a bit of time to grow your market organically exploiting the viral "meme" nature of consumers.

Stay tuned...