Scott talks about payola on WYNC Radio

Payola, in essense, is when major record labels pay radio stations to play thier music. This was the topic of discussion on Soundcheck with John Schaefer Tuesday November 29th. The discussion largely marginalized mainstream music as silly and a mere comercial product which can easily be abandoned via internet radio, podcasting, etc. To listen to the show as well as my comments (22 minutes and 20 seconds into the program) click here.

Our Music- Volume 2. is published.

The latest issue of my column, Our Music, is now up at http://www.cdbabel.com/OurMusic.html

It is the first of a two part series on MP3's. I'm very excited to have an outlet in which to be more overt about my, shall we say, socio-musical agenda. It was very difficult to come up with a title, but I settled on Our Music because what I'm really trying to push is a sense of ownership in our culture. It's not only our responsibility to pass down tradition, but also to change them. Musicians and fans should be as active as possible in this process. Industry has done most of the work for too long.

I'm hoping to combine some scholarship in this venture without having to hide my own passion on the subject. I hope you enjoy it. It's the first writing I've done since college and the first time I've ever written in this style. Your feeback is more than welcome. You can leave it here or write to ourmusic@scottalexandermusic.com (I may even post your letter in a future column!

BRAND NEW SCOTT ALEXANDER HOTLINE

I am so greatful for everyone who has taken the time to listen to me. I really wanted to give you a place to be listened to as well. Now you can post your own audio message online via your telephone.

Simply dial 415-856-0205.
Then enter the phone number: 651-867-5309
the PIN is 1234.
Then simply follow the directions.

Messages are posted immediately at the SCOTT ALEXANDER HOTLINE. Tell your friends about it so they can listen and post messages too! If for any reason you want to have a post deleted, simply email me and I'll take care of it.

For those of you that remember the old OK hotline, you know what a bounty of things this will be useful for. Here are just a few:

1. Call when you have no one to talk to. You'll never feel lonesome again!
2. Wake up in the middle of the night with a cool dream? Just call it in and you won't forget!
3. Need to make a confession? Go right ahead (although I make no implication of absolving you).
4. Feel a big one coming on??
5. Start rumours in cyberspace!
6. Pretend to be someone else, or some kind of animal and see if anyone can guess who it is!
7. Sing your own version of a Scott Alexander song.
8. Share recipies.
9. Rant Rant Rant.

PLEASE NOTE THE OBVIOUS: I am not editing this before they go up. I am not responsible for offensive matterial. I trust you guys, whoever you are, to keep this all good.