Blogging the FMC Conference

Inetresting stuff so far the FMC Conference. The first panel yesterday featured Bertis Downs, manager advisor to REM, and Peter Jenner, Billy Bragg's mananger, and Chrles Bissel, the lead singer of the Wrens(who seriously needs to lighten up). There was a lively discussion on the shelf life of the CD(Not going away anytime soon), artist relations with Indie Media(the power of Pitchfork), and how copyright law needs to be changed for the digital age. Pretty broad topics but interesting nonetheless.

Second panel featured Jerry Harrison (Garageband, ex-Talking Heads), Sam Jenning, who runs Prince's NRG Club and some other people that have started new record label business models to combat the "evil" major label system. Everyone talked about how outdated soundscan is and it's funny to hear these musicians talk about Prince (who isn't here) and speak with such reverence. And they appreciate his efforts on trying out new ways to sell CD's and concert tickets and outsmarting the system. On his last tour, Prince began the practice of including CD's in the price of a concert ticket for his fans. So whenever someone bought a ticket to see him live, they got a CD as well. These CD's were included in Soundscan charts and kept him in the Top 10 during much of his tour. However, after the tour, Soundscan disallowed this practice in the future. But as Jenning said, "Who cares when a million and a half people have a copy of your CD?" There was also discussion about changing the label model and artists taking control of their careers. Jerry Harrison struck me as very clued in to what is going on. Coolfer made a good point when the panel was done about how so far we've only heard from disgruntled artists that have been burned by the system. There hasn't been any voice for bands that have used the system to their advantage. Quoth Coolfer "Do you think the Killers would have sold 2.5 million units on Magnatune?" Indeed.

After the second panel, Coolfer and I went over to the GW Foodcourt to grab some food. While we were there, some sort of sorority rush event let out and a large group of about 200 coeds came through the lunch room (each dressed in their own distinct outfit, one group wore white shirts and jeans, another black shirts and skirts with pink belts, etc.). It goes without saying that this was the highlight of the day.

I should also mention how awesome it is to have a latptop at this thing. I am wrote up my setlists from last night's bluestate, my Doughty interview for DCist, was checking the football scores at ESPN.com and writing this while the panels were going on. Hott. I am a multi tasking tornado.

The third panel dealt with licensing and radio and how it needs to change to cope with changes in the industry. Payola was also on the bill. Mike Mills of REM was very eloquent talking about how radio has gone downhill, how it should be deruglated and then reregulated to allow companies to own no more than 10 stations nationwide. "The system is flawed but it can work," he said. Check out Coolfer for an exhaustive recap of the day.

Saturday's bluestate was yet another Black Cat success. We had some sound problems during my last set, but we got those straightened out and had the place absolutely jumping by the end of the night. The Cricklewood Massive played a great early set and Natalya slapped everyone upside the head with her increasingly patented Hillary Duff-Madonna-Kelly Clarkson triple shot. People went nuts. I finally got to play "Dancing In The Dark" and "Come See About Me" and had a Mylo mega-mix early so I was a happy camper. Hell, I even dropped some U2 and some guy came up to me and practically drooled on the mixer while telling me that "Lemon" was the greatest. song. ever. I also got a Brazilian Girls request from a cute girl. I'll have to remember to bring that next time, but all in all, a great night. Check the full set lists here, and the pictures here.

Coolfer brought down a great mashup CD that mixes Notorious B.I.G. and Frank Sinatra called Blue Eyes Meets Bed Stuy and it's on fire. We've been listening to it all weekend and I have to share some of it with you. It's insane, check it:
Juicy / New York, New York (MP3)
Nasty Boy / For Every Man There's A Woman (MP3)

You can buy the mix CD here, just scroll down.

Coolfer and I also took in the Idlewild show at the Black Cat last night. They were shit hot. I'll have a DCist review of the show up at some point today. Check out more pictures here.

I enjoyed watching Andre Agassi's march to the US Open final, but there was a 0% chance he was going to beat Roger Federer. Agassi was up a break in the third but lost that set and ultimately, the match.

Mylo is at #3 in the UK charts with "Dr. Pressure" a mash up with Miami Sound Machine. I found it online last night so I'll post it later in the week. Mylo rules.

I would totally go see this tour.

No need to go see the White Stripes later in the month at Merriweather. NPR will be streaming the show online.