Emmas second mock

Online media such as social networking sites/downloads continue to become more popular. How is this important for music companies and prosumers?

Emma Nye

Beck and Syco contrast due to their different perspectives on music. X Factor/Syco are entirely focused on reproducing the artists that sell. This consists of the institution repackaging them and creating an image. This also consists of reselling existing songs.

However, Beck has an entirely different attitude towards his music. Instead of devaluing music like X Factor does, Beck is a unique artist who has made his product available for the musically talented. This has entitled him to have a niche audience, in comparison to X Factors mainstream audiences. He is a unique artist; due to he produces his music in the form of sheet music. This therefore entitles fans to buy it and create their own interpretations of what they think the music should sound like using a range of various instruments or tempos ect. This is how Beck exchanges his music. He is an example of a ‘blender’. By this, it means that Beck has created Production, Distribution and Exchange himself.

X factor on the other hand is merely interested in creating a mass audience, fan community and money. X-factor year after year, constantly repackages the contestants and has them sing the songs from its back catalogue.

One direction is an example of this nostalgic specific song choice.  They in particular throughout the duration of their time performing on X-factor sung mostly old love songs, which were probably owned by Sony. This also demonstrated to Sony that love songs sell, especially when performed by a boy band. Exchange is present in the votes from the audience, and the feedback that is consisted within it due to the general public vote out the least popular contestants. Therefore, Syco is able to distinguish what artists will sell due to popularity. Beck’s exchange is far simpler. The fans create their interpretations of his songs and post it online using social networking sites. He then puts his favourite fan videos and interpretations on his website and may even perform the fans version whilst on tour, due to no copyright is present. This is free marketing for Beck due to the fans are distributing his music, which consists of Beck only needing to write the music. His entire marketing is done on his website and YouTube. The biggest different segregation Beck and X Factor is the Localisation. By this; it means that Beck and his fans receive credit and money for their music. They receive their money via YouTube dependant on the amount of views they receive, and they’d receive money if they were to sell it on ITunes. This is what is known as Prosumerism.

In terms of visualisation, Beck has no part in the visualisation of his music, the fans make the videos. Where as in comparison the X factor is more about the show in order to make their popular contestants stand out due to costumes, dancers, sets, lights ect. The show is entirely based on the contestants journey through X-factor showing aspects such as sob stories and makeovers to please its passive audience. The X Factor focuses its attention highly on the package and not the music its producing.
This  is an evident demonstration of a company  purposely devaluing music for the purpose of making money.  In comparison, Beck on the other hand is adding value. He chooses to turn the industry on its head and focus on the music and producing a variety, while letting all parties receive the gratitude they deserve. Therefore, I do not believe the music industry focuses solely on recycling artists. Due to Beck in an anomaly in the music industry. A music revolution in some respects.