I found it interesting that Steve Albini was the keynote speaker at the Face the Music Conference in Melbourne late last year. Albini is best known for engineering a tonne of “records” for bands including The Pixies, Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins, but also for his own bands Big Black, Rapeman and Shellac.
Many years ago (back in the early 90’s), Albini wrote an article called “The Problem With Music”, in which he pointed out issues that he had with big record label business practices. It is a well-known article that made quite an impression on many people involved in the music industry. The article was very critical of the music industry at the time, but Albini’s keynote address at the Face the Music Conference was very optimistic and positive in comparison. Albini feels that the internet has broken down the old record label business and decreased barriers between bands and audiences. To read the full address, check it out here:
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/17/steve-albinis-keynote-address-at-face-the-music-in-full