The long tail is long; Spotify comes up short

Spotify is the new kid on the online music block, offering not only streaming music like Pandora, but searchable music and the ability to create and share playlists.

"Our goal is to have all the world's music -- all the African music, all the South American music, all the Asian music,"Spotify founder Daniel Ek was quoted on CNN.” Asked what percentage of the world's recorded music is in Spotify's database, Ek estimated, ‘probably closer to 80% than 20%.’”

It's hard to be sure how accurate that estimate is. The problem with Spotify is they are forced to work with record labels, not with music fans and artists. I’m not aware of a way for fans or independent artists to upload music directly to Spotify.

While more mainstream groups such as Wild Nothing and MC Chris can be found on Spotify, omissions include SXSW alums Das Racist and Japanese female rockers GO!GO!7188. Even international acts with millions of views on YouTube such as The Pillows and Sakanaction are nowhere to be found.

Come to think of it, YouTube has a larger selection of underground and international music than Spotify. YouTube allows indie musicians, bands, and (if the label doesn't complain) music fans to upload music and videos.

The internet has created a vast ecosystem of music creation and consumption. New ideas spring up (Napster, MP3.com) and wither. Others change the system, such as iTunes. The internet has allowed people to discover new music like never before. There are websites and internet radio stations dedicated to just about any genre or language of music.

One such example is Japan-a-radio. For more than ten years Japan-a-radio has streamed Japanese anime and pop music targeted at North American listeners. The listener-funded station has found a sustainable niche in the long tail of online music.

While Spotify will appeal to lovers of mainstream music, websites and blogs focusing on small music niches need not worry. The long tail is long, and Spotify comes up short.

Read Jim Mitchem's more detailed review of Spotify: Spotify is a Pretty Girl with Bad Breath

Stuff my dad says

Kids ask a lot of questions and "Because I said so!" just doesn't cut it as a reply. Since we're expecting a daughter in a few months, I thought it would be good to reflect on some of the more usefull replies my father has used over the years. I hope you will find inspiration in them as well:

  • “Why?” “Because ‘y’ is a crooked letter.”
  • "I wish..." "Wish in one hand and spit in the other and see which one fills up the quickest."
  • “I’m thirsty.” “I’m Friday. Come over Saturday and we’ll have a Sundae.”
  • "I can't." "Can't never could!"
  • “If I had…” “Well if a frog had wings he wouldn’t be bumping his butt all the time, would he?”
  • “But, but…” “If ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ were candy and nuts it’d be Christmas all year ‘round.”
  • “Who?” “Hoo? You might poop through feathers but your feet don’t fit no branch.”

Half Way There

Hey little baby,

It’s hard to believe you are more than half way to your birthday. Mommy and I are both looking forward to meeting you! We loved seeing you dance around on the ultrasound monitor but holding you in our arms will be even better. We were so worried you wouldn’t still be with us, but at your last checkup the doctor said everything is looking fine!

Last weekend I felt you kick for the first time. I was very excited. I told mommy you were giving me a high five because Alabama had just beat Penn State. I’m pretty sure Mommy rolled her eyes at me. Mommy asks if you could please not kick and headbutt and punch her quite so much while she’s at work all day, all right?  I told Mommy I was jealous of all the cuddle time she has with you. “Okay, I’ll show you what it’s like,” she said as she repeatedly punched me in the stomach. Ha ha, silly Mommy.

Mommy had a surprise “It’s a girl!” balloon and banner waiting on me when I came home from work the day we found out. Grandma and Grandpa said they knew you were a girl because you kick and squirm around so much. We always love learning more and more about you!

I asked mommy and she said it was okay to tell you your name. Shhhh, don’t tell anyone else, okay? It’s our secret for now. We hope you like your name! Now at night when Mommy is lying in bed and I talk to you I don’t have to call you “little baby” any more.

Mommy says you should weigh about a pound now and will grow a half-pound a week. Get big and strong (I think Mommy is hoping not TOO big) and we will see you on January 19th! We are going to have so much fun together as a family.

Before you know it we’ll be making snowmen and catching lightning bugs and putting flowers in your hair. I know how much you like to kick so I’ll have some soccer balls waiting for you when you get here.

We love you!

Dispatches from rural North Carolina

Thoughts and observations on my travels around the state:

Perhaps the only Cook-Out restaurant with indoor seating is in Asheboro. UPDATE: Salisbury too. And Lincolnton.

Perhaps North Carolina's smallest Wal-Mart is located in Richfield.

Sushi is still an exotic novelty in small towns. Don't expect the local Harris Teeter to have a sushi chef like they do in Charlotte and Raleigh.

The easternmost Ingles is actually in Thomasville, not in Albemarle or Walnut Cove. This puts it within rock throwing distance from the westernmost Piggly Wiggly in Greensboro.

FroYo is starting to catch on in smaller towns.

Eighteen stores in North Carolina carry Blenheim Ginger Ale.

They are actually still opening new video rental stores in small towns. It's like small town business climates are a half decade behind bigger cities.

A well placed nuke could wipe out the world's supply of Cherry Lemon Sundrop. This is an important national security risk.

Geocities still inspires the page layout of small town newspaper websites.

It’s tough finding burrito joints in small towns. Moe's? Chipotle? Salsarita's? Not likely.

Remember in the 80's and 90's when every small town started to get their own Chinese restaurant? Now Thai is the new Chinese with Thai places popping up all over.

Every small town Mexican restaurant has a Speedy Gonzales lunch special. Taco, burrito, and rice or beans.

If you think finding Blenheim Ginger Ale is a challenge, try finding Dr. Enuf. I've seen it in a couple of convenience stores in the mountains, and a couple in the Piedmont. You would have better luck finding bigfoot who apparently commutes between Gaston and Montgomery Counties.
Posterous theme by Cory Watilo
  
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