GEORGE HOWARD DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR, BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC
THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN a gulf between the few musicians who make it big and the many, many others who have to do something else to pay the bills. That was true in the days of Mozart, who died in debt. It was true in the golden age of rock music when record companies promoted a few stars like The Beatles and Michael Jackson. And it’s still true in the age of Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming services when most musicians get pennies for their work.
“If you’re on Spotify right now, listening to my band, you’d have to stream one of our songs 786 times for me to be able to buy a single cup of coffee,” said Joey La Neve DeFrancesco of the punk rock group Downtown Boys during a protest in March.
George Howard, a professor at Berklee College of Music in Boston, is out to make the future more just. He’s introducing new technology to make sure musicians get a fair shake.
“It’s tragic,” he says. “My main thrust in all my work these days is to ensure that no more will any of us create tools or applications for artists without artists being in the room.”
This story is from the December 24, 2021 edition of Newsweek Europe.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 24, 2021 edition of Newsweek Europe.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Most Loved Workplaces 2024
THE WORLD'S MOST LOVED WORKPLACES ARE REMARKABLE FOR A variety of reasons.
Maya Hawke
MAYA HAWKE WEARS MANY HATS: ACTOR, WRITER,SINGER. BUT FOR Hawke, everything comes down to words.
Jacob Anderson
ANNE RICE'S NOVEL INTERVIEW WITH THE Vampire has a rabid fan base, intensely protective of the story and any adaptations of it.
VOTES OF NO CONFIDENCE
Why recent U.K. election results will ring alarm bells for Joe Biden
BIDEN'S BATTLEGROUND ELECTION
A small number of Democrats PROTESTING the president's support for Israel's war in Gaza could PREVENT him from winning a second term
'It's Time to Treat Addiction Like Cancer'
Both are serious illnesses but, unlike those struggling with substance use disorders, didn’t face shame and stigma when seeking help over my tumors
Could Influencers Survive a Tik Tok Ban?
With some content creators able to make good money from views and brand collaborations on the app, losing access to it could come ata high price
All Welcome, Except Some
A Chinese foreign agent is behind an Asian American parade in New York City with Mayor Eric Adams, but not everyone is invited
The Invisible Scars Of War
The ongoing conflict with Russia has left 10 million Ukrainians affected by mental health conditions. Now, a community-led program is giving citizens the tools they need to help them overcome their trauma
Navigating New Horizons: Tayca's Tech Innovation
Amidst evolving global markets and demographic shifts, Tayca Corporation harnesses cutting-edge Japanese technology to stay at the forefront, leading in innovation and adapting to changing economic conditions.