Voice Blanket, R.I.P.

Who's winning in the music business? In a world where every god forsaken industry is dominated by a handful of corporate raconteurs, it is humbling to know that perhaps consumers simply don't need the multi-nationals in music anymore. Gigs are where the money is now, whilst mass production has never been easier or cheaper for musicians thanks to the internet. Smaller labels now have the potential to reach just as far, and artists have been popping up all over the place without any contract to speak of.

No stone has been left unturned, and perhaps the music industry strikes a chord with people who want nothing less than an all out war. We download songs illegally all the time, without any fear of being strung up by the Mick Jagger's, or spat on in the street, and for the most part we've gotten away with it. What they don't realise is, whilst they were playing with hand-puppets and making small children cry, we have been busy practicing. So many of us hid beneath castled bed linen, all curled up with another layer of voice blanket (John Peel)...using the record and pause buttons strategically so that we could hear our new favourite songs again and again. They can't stand this up on capital hill, outsmarted by the gutter boy. All their time spent taking it in turns to fluff themselves and what do they have to show for it? A rash and U2. Not to worry though, they can bandage the wound with internet red tape. Keep those massive record labels alive just long enough to parade what few shit acts they have left on MTV. Good night and good riddance.