Here's a list of books, articles, and authors that we love for various
reasons. If you want to add a book to the list, click here to submit
your own suggestion and write a brief review. Fiction, nonfiction,
political, fun -- anything is fine. As long as you found it inspiring
and interesting, and you think others should read it.
Here's a copy of the syllabus and reading list for a class that Jenny
Toomey and Gigi Sohn (Public
Knowledge) taught at Georgetown University Fall 2002. There's a lot
of great books, articles and resources on the list for folks who want
to learn more about the critical issues at the intersection of music,
law, technology and policy.
The Cost of a CD by
the RIAA
RIAA’s explanation of the elements that contribute to the cost of
a CD
The
Problem with Music by Steve Albini
Originally printed in Maximum Rock and Roll #133 (June 1994), reprinted
in The Baffler. Steve Albini’s classic and often-referenced breakdown
of major label contract deals.
What
Every American Should Know about Copyright by Susan Aker
September 2000
A short primer on US copyright law and the impact that the extensions
to the length of ownership have had on the public domain.
More
Than Once in A Blue Moon: Multiple Jobholdings by American Artists.
National Endowment for the Arts Report on Artists and Livelihood (2000)
An in-depth examination of artists' employment, specifically multiple
jobholding or moonlighting, over three decades with comparisons to other
professional occupations. The principal data source used is the Current
Population Survey, a national Census Bureau survey sponsored by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics -- with highlights from smaller, artist-focused surveys
included.
Great Books
Everything You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald
Passman
Very detailed book about the mechanics of the music industry. Should be
required reading for any band thinking of signing a major label contract.
Media Technology and Society by Brian Winston
Winston examines the history of the invention of communications technologies,
from the telegraph to the Internet, arguing that the development of new
media is the product of a constant interaction between social necessity
and suppression of novel ideas. Great to read to get a perspective on
the novelty of this current "Information Revolution."
Pennies from Heaven by David and Russell Sanjek
An exhaustive history of the American music industry, from its late 19th
century beginnings in the sheet music/phonograph era to the late 20th
century. Includes great details about the history of the industry -- the
creation of ASCAP and BMI, struggles between artists and labels, the reticence
of early radio to playing music (!) --many of which seem to repeat themselves
to this day. David Sanjek is the historian/archivist for BMI.
Hit Men: Power Brokers and Fast Money in the Music Business by
Frederic Danner
The infamous tell-all book that focuses on all the egomaniacs, power brokers,
and infighting at the top echelons of the music industry. Full of juicy
anecdotes about specific bands and artists.
Digital Copyright: Protecting Intellectual Property on the Internet
by Jessica Litman
Copyright expert and Wayne State University law professor Jessica Litman
outlines the complex issues behind current copyright law. Litman provides
a capsule history of U.S. copyright law, showing how every development
in the technology of publishing has brought further refinement and further
complications to the law. At the center of the book is a single question:
Do the new statutes proposed by copyright holders - such as the Digital
Millennium Copyright Act - make sense?
Payola in the Music Industry: A History 1880-1991 by Kerry Segrave
Documents the decades-long struggle between the radio industry, record
labels, the FCC and the public regarding payola, from cash, to lavish
gifts, to sending drugs to DJs. Though the tale stops in 1991, it’s
clear from the historic struggle regarding the legality of certain practices
that the forms of payola described in the book continue to exist today.
Let the People Decide: Neighborhood Organizing in America by Robert
Fisher
Fisher outlines the rich and important history of community organizing
in the United States. Sadly, much of the history of community organizing
has been obscured in a media/history fog, thus forcing activists to continuously
reinvent political movements instead of recognizing their role in a century-long
commitment to expanding democracy in America. Great to read, not only
for the stories about the success of the early labor movement, but to
get a sense of the massive levels of participation in many 20th century
grassroots campaigns.
Three Strikes: Miners, Musicians, Salesgirls, and the Fighting Spirit
of Labor's Last Century by Howard Zinn, Dana Frank, Robin D. G. Kelley
(September 2001)
In one of three sections in this book, Kelley describes a strike that
fizzled the New York Musicians Strike of 1936-1937, an attempt to return
live musicians to movie theaters. Although it was barely noticed even
when it occurred, the challenges involved recognizing creative artists
as workers, retaining control as new technologies empower owners, building
solidarity and resolving conflicts between artist and audience interests
are more important than ever in today's global entertainment industry.
Bomb the Suburbs by William Upski Wimsatt (March 2001)
Though it takes hip-hop culture, specifically in Chicago during the mid
80s to early 90s from a grafitti writer's perspective, as its focus there
are illuminating portions that deal with major label relations with individual
artists. "Bomb" also includes a great interview with Wendy Day,
founder of Rap Coalition, a group that aims to combat record label exploitation
of rappers unfamiliar with the business side of music.
Fantastic Scholars and Authors
Robert McChesney, research professor at the University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, has written some of the most illuminating and important
articles about the history of telecommunications policy, media consolidation,
and the results for a democratic society that you can read. Here are a
few suggested articles, but go to his website
for a massive list of his published pieces.
"The Battle for the U.S. Airwaves, l928-l935." Journal of Communication
40 (Autumn 1990): pp. 29-57.
"Communication for the Hell of It: The Triviality of U.S. Broadcasting
History." Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, Vol. 40, No.
4, (Fall 1996): pp. 540-552.
Langdon Winner, professor of Poli Sci at Rennselaur Polytechnic,
is another great resource for articles and books about the intersection
of technology and society. His website
also includes lists of his works, but one of my favorites is:
"Do Artifacts Have Politics?" by Langdon Winner
published in Daedalus, Vol. 109, No. 1, Winter 1980. Reprinted in The
Social Shaping of Technology, edited by Donald McKenzie and Judy Wajcman
(London: Open University Press 1985).
Some Great Sites for News and Info on Music, Technology,
Media and Activism
TECHNOLOGY/POLICY
Politech
Run by journalist Declan McCullagh, Politech is a fantastic moderated
mailing list of politics and technology. Topics include privacy, free
speech, the role of government and corporations, antitrust, and more.
MUSIC and ADVOCACY
Music for
America is a nonprofit organization striving to get young people
involved in the political process. Using music, media, the internet and
live shows, they're reaching out to demonstrate the connection between
culture and politics.
Punkvoter's
goal is to educate, register and mobilize over 500,000 of today's youth
as one voice. They plan to use the 2004 federal election as a way to get
our fans engaged in politics and evolve into a movement that can get involved
locally to affect real change nationally.
Recording
Artists Coalition
The group started by Don Henley, Sheryl Crow and others, the RAC is working
on many legislative issues that impact recording artists.
Artist
Empowerment Coalition
AEC is a non-profit coalition of recording and performing artists as well
as music supporters formed to promote changes in the relationships between
artists and the companies that exploit, market and distribute their creative
work.
