Downloads the recording industry doesn't mind

By Jim Higgins
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL-SENTINEL
Monday, January 30, 2006

In today's decentralized music universe, how can you hear new stuff that you might like?

Actually, you have your own listening stations right at your home or (don't tell your boss) work computer.

MP3 blogs serve as a combination of tip sheet, word of mouth and free-sample table.

Over time, they function as a virtual mix tape of their enthusiastic creators' passions, the online equivalents of that mythical record store clerk who would turn you on to dynamic music.

Collectively, they've become a wave of Johnny Appleseeds who spread new music around the world, to the point that many performers and labels woo them with promo recordings in the same way they've traditionally courted radio stations and print music writers.

When Matador Records recently released a promo MP3 of "Another Sunny Day," a song from the forthcoming Belle & Sebastian recording "The Life Pursuit," it spread with viral speed through the blogs.

In general, MP3 blogs either host or link directly to music files — most often in MP3 format — that visitors can download and play on their computers and portable music machines.

They're labors of love, though some are popular enough to draw advertising. Many concentrate on just-released music, while some revive popular or neglected music from the past.

Some of the best music blogs are ones that delight in making and breaking discoveries. David Gutowski's Largehearted Boy (blog.largeheartedboy.com) is a Lexus of the genre, a classy vehicle with lots of extras.

The musical core of LHB is its Daily Downloads, 10 daily links to free and legal music downloads.

"Every day, the posts are a musical stream-of-consciousness experience, usually influenced by what I listened to the day before," he wrote in an e-mail. "Most of the music is indie rock and alt-country, but I try not to limit the posts to specific genres."

"I get many e-mails and several discs in the mail daily from bands, labels and PR firms," Gutowski wrote. "I actually encourage musicians to get in touch with me and listen to everything sent my way."

Robbie McCown started his classy blog Womenfolk (womenfolk.net) to share his passion for female singer-songwriters.

Many of the performers he highlights are "independent artists or obscure in (the) U.S.," he wrote in an e-mail.

In recent months, he's showcased Missouri singer Hilary Scott, Air collaborator and singer-songwriter Beth Hirsch and Swedish songbird Britta Persson.

"Actually, I've received a surprising number of submissions from independent artists themselves; people like Alison Breitman, Rachel Ries and Victoria George, among others," wrote McCown, who lives in Vacaville, Calif., and is the online editor for a small newspaper. "Generally, I think these songwriters and many like them are realizing the significance that MP3 blogs have in the promotion of their music."

Some Austin musicians use MP3 blogs, but many do not, saying they're occupied with their own music or all thumbs when it comes to computers. "I don't really use them," says art-folkie Jana Hunter. "I'm backwards."

Others prefer podcasts or posting music on various Web sites. "As far as MP3 blogs, I'm not taking advantage too much," says Will Courtney, singer-guitarist from up-and-coming alt-country act Brothers and Sisters. "I am not sure if this qualifies as a blog, but I have posted songs at the-grotto.com (a fan site for the band Mother Hips) and received some really great comments." Of course, many bands put their own MP3s on their own Web sites or MySpace pages.

But the people who seem most likely to use MP3 blogs are the people who are old-school record collectors at heart. Rubble drummer King Coffey — having been present at the creation of hardcore and American independent rock with his teenage punk band the Hugh Beaumont Experience, then the Butthole Surfers — is one such music fan.

"Strange Reaction (strangereaction.com) has a great collection of punk rock vinyl rarities that are usually impossible to find reissued anywhere," Coffey says. "I was honored that the Hugh Beaumont Experience was their first offering." He also endorses Soul Sides (soul-sides.com): "Everything from '60s soul to rap by a DJ who knows his stuff and is passionate about it."

While some MP3 bloggers post commercially available music, they haven't attracted the legal wrath of the Recording Industry Association of America, the trade group that polices copyright infringement.

For one, MP3 blogs deal in small amounts of music when compared with the deluge of illegally shared music that moves through file-sharing networks.

MP3 blogs often post a prominent disclaimer, like this one found on Gorilla vs. Bear (gorillavsbear.blogspot.com): "MP3s for sampling only — if you like it, support the artist. Buy the record. Go to the show. Wear the T-shirt. If you are the owner of a sound file and would like it removed, just let me know."

Philosophically, record labels might decide to be glad that MP3 bloggers are in action. They're spreading a passion for new music in a person-to-person way that other media can't.

Austin bassist and author Jesse Sublett is new to digital downloads, but finds them thrilling. "I'm just getting in and figuring out what's what," he says, "But it's an exciting new world out there, I will say that. Technology has really made me more of a music nut than ever. It's an exciting time to be a music fanatic."

Staff writer Joe Gross contributed to this report.