Musicians and the Media

Accessibility has always been essential to the music market. Even back in the days of Mozart or Tallis, the composer who knew the most important kings or nobles of the day was invited to perform at their balls or concerts, thereby elevating their status, and inviting more invitations of the same sort. Exposure equals money and fame, and although some musicians might say they're only working for the love of the job, I like to think (and this is just me being a little bit cynical, but this is my blog) that they understand that. They know that they have to get their names in the papers, that they have to be seen, because when they're seen, they're heard.

The Beatles rose to superstardom in America after they performed on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Had they not, who knows if they would have gained the prestige they are known for today. While television was the most important technological medium in the 1960s for getting word out about an album or singles, it can be argued that today, the fastest, easiest, and most reliable way to tell others about an album drop is by way of the internet.

Stars are born and flourish on the web - just look at Lily Allen, who was found on MySpace, and who has now had multiple number 1 singles, a wall of awards, and more celebrity than you can shake a stick at. Even your average single 20-something, singing Beyoncé songs in their basement can get their name out there to that critical public audience just by putting a couple videos on YouTube - just look at Esmée Denters, who was recently signed to Justin Timberlake's label and whose first single "Outta Here" was an international hit.

Even the reality-show flukes find fame and fortune on the Internet - Susan Boyle, the crotchety, granny-looking contestant on Britain's Got Talent whose amazing voice shocked the judges, and the rest of the online audience. Everyone from Oprah to Larry King wanted to interview her, and even though she came in second in the competition, her album has the highest-selling pre-release figures of all time on Amazon.

The internet is the source of fast and cheap marketability, which is perhaps why there are so many stars that we see just briefly as quick flames of interest on Digg.com, or as trending topics on Twitter, or as this week's top-watched on YouTube. But how many of these have lasted? Will any of them prove to be long-lasting? It will be interesting to find out.