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Happy post-Independence Day! We've piled a lot on our paper plates this summer, so make some room at the picnic table and pass the mustard!
"It Takes a Nation of Millions" Conversation at Pitchfork Festival in Chicago
FMC Rocks The Table at Pitchfork Fest
FMC fights for artistic freedom
FMC releases Payola Education Guide for musicians and listeners, files reply comments at FCC
Recent Sightings
Upcoming events
Rock the Net CD: the excitement builds
How Are We Doing?
1. "It Takes a Nation of Millions" Conversation at Pitchfork Festival in Chicago
We're incredibly excited about this upcoming event co-presented by FMC and Pitchfork, which coincides with Pitchfork's 2008 Music Festival. Here's the lowdown:
Future of Music Coalition and Pitchfork present "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" A Panel Discussion of Public Enemy's Seminal Record Thursday, July 17, 2008, 3 pm Chicago Cultural Center
When Public Enemy released It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back in 1988, it sounded like nothing else at the time. Frontloaded with sirens, squeals and squawks frontman Chuck D laid his poetically radical rhymes over a dense sound collage of rhythm, noise and the voices of 20th century black leaders. With its pointed socio-political commentary and inventive production, the album represents one of hip-hop's finest achievements.
On the 20th anniversary of the album's release, Chuck D, "Bomb Squad" members Hank Shocklee and Keith Shocklee and PE's "Media Assassin" Harry Allen will discuss how they fashioned their powerful world of sound, in a conversation led by documentary filmmaker Kembrew McLeod (Copyright Criminals:This is a Sampling Sport). The following day, Public Enemy will take to the stage and re-create It Takes a Nation of Millions live at the Pitchfork Fest. Amazing.
While others will be rocking, we'll be talking. FMC Communications Director Casey Rae-Hunter and Alex Maiolo from our HINT program will be onsite at Pitchfork Festival to talk about FMC's various campaigns. If you're planning on being at the Fest be sure to swing by our table and pick up a button or guitar pick, or ask Alex about health insurance stuff. We look forward to meeting you!
Not going to Pitchfork Fest? Remember that you can always schedule a phone appointment to better understand your health insurance options through the HINT website.
3. FMC fights for artistic freedom
On July 3, FMC filed an amici brief (amici means "an adviser to the court who is not a party to the case") with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals on the subject of the FCC's current indecency policy. The filing, which was co-authored by the Center for Creative Voices in Media (CCV), takes the FCC to task for the vague and arbitrary ways that it deals with so-called "indecent" content on TV and radio, the result of which has been a chilling effect on creativity on the public airwaves.
4. FMC releases Payola Education Guide for musicians and listeners, files reply comments at FCC
Speaking of radio, FMC also recently released "Change That Tune: A Payola Education Guide for Musicians and Listeners." The booklet, written by Adam Marcus, provides a clear and concise history of payola, the development of the "indie promoter" system, the investigations by Spitzer and the FCC, and an assessment of the "Rules of Engagement" signed by the four largest radio companies. Finally, we put this all in the context of what it means for musicians and independent labels, and how artists are interacting with radio in the 21st century.
The Payola Education Guide was also recently submitted to the Federal Communications Commission as an attachment to our reply comments in the FCC's localism proceedings, in which we make the case for greater diversity on the public airwaves. In our reply comments, we describe concrete ways for stations to make localism a priority and urge the FCC to collect and analyze playlist data to make sure that stations are fulfilling their public interest obligations.
June was busy for FMC staff, with panel appearances, discussions and special events throughout the month.
At the National Conference for Media Reform in Minneapolis, FMC's Michael Bracy and Ann Chaitovitz were joined by board member Bryan Calhoun for a panel called "In the Mix: Understanding New Music Services and the Bottom Line." The room was so packed that we ran out of handouts! FMC also co-hosted a cocktail party with Media and Democracy Coalition and The Media Consortium to preview our upcoming benefit CD, Rock the Net: Musicians for Net Neutrality. You can listen to the NCMR panel discussion here.
That same weekend, Alex Maiolo from FMC's Health Insurance Navigation Tool (HINT) headed down to New Orleans for PotLuckCon (formerly TapeOp), where he gave health insurance advice to the musicians, engineers and producers in attendance. There's no footage of Alex in the Big Easy, but the HINT website has a great YouTube clip of him explaining how HINT works. Check it out.
In mid-June, FMC's Kristin Thomson participated in Ignite:Philly, where each presenter had 5 minutes and 20 powerpoint slides — set to rotate every 15 seconds — to ignite a conversation. Kristin talked about the transition away from music as a physical product, suggesting that the future of music will likely be about access, not ownership. Watch the presentation here.
In June, FMC's Michael Bracy also appeared at the Campus Progress National Conference in DC, where he spoke on a panel called "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Free Expression: Determining the Future of the Internet," alongside representatives from Media Alliance, the Motion Picture Association of America, the Center for Social Media and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.
6. Upcoming Events
Later this month — once we finalize a few more details — FMC will announce three fall events, but we know enough now to tip off our faithful newsletter readers.
In September/October, we'll be hosting two "What is the Future for Musicians?" seminars, similar to the series of events we organized with the AFM in upstate New York in April.
One will be in New York City in the first week of October. The other will likely be in Chicago, but we're still working on dates.
We'll also be presenting "Creative License: A Conversation About Music, Sampling and Law" in New York City, the second in a series of public discussions FMC hopes to organize about the sample license clearance process.
What about those awesome DC Policy Summits we're known for? Typically we our Policy Summit in the fall, but with a federal election on the horizon, we're organizing fall '08 gatherings while simultaneously planning for next year's events — including a one-day Policy Day in Washington, DC in February 2009 that will provide a first look at the people and policy priorities of a new administration, and our 8th Future of Music Policy Summit in fall 2009. Stay tuned for more info on all of our events.
7. Rock the Net CD: the excitement builds
As we've previously mentioned, FMC is gearing up for the release of the Rock the Net: Musicians for Net Neutrality CD, which features Wilco, Bright Eyes, Aimee Mann, They Might Be Giants, The Wrens, Portastatic, DJ Spooky and more. The press is starting to pick up on the story, even though the album doesn't come out until July 29.
D.C. Policy Day 2009 Scheduled just two weeks after the start of a new federal administration, the event will brings laser-beam focus to issues that affect the music community.
December 18, 2008 Press release | Event site
"Musicians Bringing Musicians Home IV" New Orleans Benefit Concert
Show is the culmination of FMC and Air Traffic Control's annual three-day Artist Activism Camp.
November 19, 2008 Press Release
FMC Analysis: Election Impact on Artists and the Music Community
There are many indicators that a new Adminstration will create conditions for more art and culture-friendly policy; FMC identifies key areas for improvement.
November 5, 2008 Analysis | (PDF)
FMC Statement on the FCC's White Spaces Vote
Musicians will benefit from White Spaces — those unoccupied frequencies in the existing TV spectrum — given careful implementation of new "smart" devices.
November 4, 2008 Statement
FMC and realizePhiladelphia present web.illish.us
Multi-faceted web and live shows raise awareness about net neutrality and democratic access to the media.
October 29, 2008 Press release | Event page | Main site
A2IM and FMC Report on Independent Music and Commerical Airplay
In-depth survey finds little has changed 18 months after FCC Consent Decree and "voluntary agreements."
October 22, 2008 Press release | Report
FMC Statement on CRB Rulings Rate-setting for mechanical royalties for physical and digital music should songwriters; encourage new business models.
October 3, 2008 Press release
FMC Reveals Programming for Fall Events Fall 2008 "What's the Future for Musicians?" seminars in New York and Chicago; Sampling and Fair Use Panel in NYC.
September 9, 2008 Press release | Event Page
FMC Announces Upcoming Events Fall 2008 "What's the Future for Musicians?" seminars in New York and Chicago; Washington, D.C. Policy Day and Policy Summit set for 2009.
August 5, 2008 Press release | Event Page
FMC Commends FCC's Comcast Decision On August 1, the FCC ruled that Comcast violated net neutrality principles; the decision is a positive step in preserving the open internet. August 1, 2008
Public Enemy Frontman, Production Team and Insiders Discuss Landmark Album On July 17, FMC and Pitchfork Music Festival will host a free discussion about Public Enemy's It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back at Chicago's Cultural Center, featuring Chuck D, members of PE's production team and music media experts.
July 8, 2008 Press release | Event Page
FMC Files Brief to Protect Creative Expression
FMC and the Center for Creative Voices in Media filed a brief at the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that the FCC's indecency policy has a chilling effect on creativity and expression and deprives the public of access to protected speech.
July 2, 2008 Press release | Indecency amicus brief (PDF)
Wilco, Bright Eyes, Aimee Mann & more "Rock the Net" on Compilation CD
Thirsty Ear Recordings to release album on July 29 to benefit FMC's "Rock the Net" campaign for net neutrality.
June 2, 2008 Press release | Rock the Net
Musicians Get the Hint About Health Insurance
Two Raleigh concerts in memory of musician Drew Glackin; proceeds go to Glackin's family and Future of Music Coalition's Health Insurance Navigation Tool
April 10, 2008 Press release FMC's HINT program
New York State Music Education Events Examine Crucial Issues Facing Artists Forums in Rochester (April 28), Syracuse (April 29) and Albany (April 30) to focus on music, media, technology and policy issues for songwriters, composers and performers from all genres.
March 25, 2008 Event details | RSVP
Pop Rockers OK Go "Tour" Congress in Support of Net Neutrality
Damian Kulash and Andy Ross discuss the importance of open Internet structures to musicians; Kulash testifies before House Judiciary Committee.
March 13, 2008 Press release
Spoken testimony
Written testimony
Rock the Net
New York State Music Education Events Examine Crucial Issues Facing Artists Kick-off forum in Buffalo on April 2 to focus on music, media, technology and policy issues for songwriters, composers and performers from all genres. March 7, 2008 | Event details
Philly Bands Rocking for Net Neutrality February 23 Sugar Town show at Tritone in Philadelphia will showcase lady rockers and DJs, as well as musicians' support for net neutrality. February 15, 2008
OK Go and Bonerama Rocked DC for New Orleans Musicians Bands also champion FMC's "Rock the Net" campaign for net neutrality February 2 benefit show at DC's 9:30 Club raised over $8,000 for New Orleans musicians. Bands played cuts off their new benefit EP, You're Not Alone, available on iTunes on February 5. February 4, 2008
Upcoming Washington, DC show and benefit EP from OK Go & Bonerama
On February 2, OK Go and Bonerama will play a benefit at D.C.'s 9:30 Club in support of You're Not Alone - an EP to support Sweet Home New Orleans and Al "Carnival Time" Johnson. January 21, 2008
Successful New Orleans Concerts Aid Big Easy Musicians
Last week, two benefit concerts raised over $6,000 for Sweet Home New Orleans - a coalition of non-profit organizations that helps find affordable housing and provides rental assistance for the city's musicians - and Big Easy music legend Al "Carnival Time" Johnson.
January 15, 2008 Press release | Event details
Ann Chaitovitz Appointed
FMC's New Executive Director A proven leader in musician and public policy issues, Chaitovitz replaces founding Executive Director Jenny Toomey January 3, 2008
Concerts for New Orleans Musicians Bring Artists Together Two New Orleans shows and upcoming benefit CD from OK Go and Bonerama January 2, 2008
FMC's Jenny Toomey Appointed Program Officer for Ford Foundation
Kristin Thomson to Serve as FMC's Interim Executive Director Michael Bracy to Chair FMC Board of Directors November 26, 2007
