Hitmakers: The Changing Face of the Music Business

Filmmakers Carol Stein and Susan Wittenberg's PBS-aired documentary examines the different ways that music artists have become successful in the new digital era. Producer Richard Gottehrer remembers when radio was king, but now YouTube, Spotify, and other services have eroded radio's former primacy. New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde credits listeners for her success, while Steve Aoki, an electronic dance music artist, doesn't believe he would've survived during radio's heyday, since EDM receives more play in clubs than on the airwaves. Other artists to benefit from new technology include Ed Sheeran and Sharon Jones, who says, “Thank God for the computer.” Seymour Stein of Sire Records sees it as a challenge for labels, but believes that's the nature of the business. By contrast, Questlove of the Roots credits Atlantic Records for giving them time to build a fan base, which led to a gig as the house band on The Tonight Show. Most other acts have to work harder than ever though touring, licensing, and marketing merchandise, since record sales have been declining and streaming services simply don't pay as well. Blues powerhouses Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi say they have to take care of 18 people besides themselves, so they can't afford to sit around and wait for money to possibly roll in. Nonetheless, Melissa Etheridge, who left Island Records, is able to keep more of the profits she makes from sales since she owns the rights to her material. While no definitive conclusion is reached here, most speakers agree that labels will never completely disappear, since not all artists can or want to do everything themselves. Offering an interesting look at the contemporary music business scene, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)