2008 Woodie Awards
Blogs create hype, exert influence
Margeaux Lippman
Issue date: 10/26/06 Section: Features
Gross said."And so do all of their friends. So now you've got 10 people shouting at you about some band, and I think that's a major turn-off."
Gross added that this magnification results in a quick turnover rate for new music. "It makes people jaded more quickly," Gross said. "Before blogs, it might take people a few months to get over a band, but now it's a matter of weeks."
Blogs are not without their benefits. The large concentration of new music is found in urban centers. Blogs, according to Melissa Johnson, staff member at Absolutepunk.net, another music website, help broaden the musical scope of the typical consumer.
"I think it's really broadened the scene," Johnson said. "I think music blogs allow kids to see what all is out there for them and also gives them a forum to discuss the music with other kids."
Gross stated that music blogging has helped break down previous barriers of music snobbery and accessibility.
"Not liking music because it's popular or mainstream or just because it's semi-well-known is ridiculous, and blogs helped shift attitudes so now I think more people listen to whatever they want, rather than try and uphold some kind of elitist façade," Gross said.
Other benefits of blogging include the ability to access music before making a final decision.
"Kids are going to check out the blogs to find new music, it's just now a whole lot easier of a process instead of going to a store, seeing a CD and buying it then trying it out," Johnson said.
With the overwhelming number of blogs, there is speculation as to if the avenue will become oversaturated.
Gross said that he believes that we may already be at that point. "I think we might already be there," Gross said. "There might be a blog for everyone these days, but finding the right one for you means sorting through a lot that aren't."
This is not to discourage other startup bloggers from getting their own space in the blogosphere, Gross stated.
"No matter how small an audience you have, even if it's just your roommate, that blog is going to matter to someone," Gross said. "Whenever someone doesn't do something because they think no one cares or no one will care, I think that's heartbreaking because there will always be someone who cares about what you're doing."
Gross added that this magnification results in a quick turnover rate for new music. "It makes people jaded more quickly," Gross said. "Before blogs, it might take people a few months to get over a band, but now it's a matter of weeks."
Blogs are not without their benefits. The large concentration of new music is found in urban centers. Blogs, according to Melissa Johnson, staff member at Absolutepunk.net, another music website, help broaden the musical scope of the typical consumer.
"I think it's really broadened the scene," Johnson said. "I think music blogs allow kids to see what all is out there for them and also gives them a forum to discuss the music with other kids."
Gross stated that music blogging has helped break down previous barriers of music snobbery and accessibility.
"Not liking music because it's popular or mainstream or just because it's semi-well-known is ridiculous, and blogs helped shift attitudes so now I think more people listen to whatever they want, rather than try and uphold some kind of elitist façade," Gross said.
Other benefits of blogging include the ability to access music before making a final decision.
"Kids are going to check out the blogs to find new music, it's just now a whole lot easier of a process instead of going to a store, seeing a CD and buying it then trying it out," Johnson said.
With the overwhelming number of blogs, there is speculation as to if the avenue will become oversaturated.
Gross said that he believes that we may already be at that point. "I think we might already be there," Gross said. "There might be a blog for everyone these days, but finding the right one for you means sorting through a lot that aren't."
This is not to discourage other startup bloggers from getting their own space in the blogosphere, Gross stated.
"No matter how small an audience you have, even if it's just your roommate, that blog is going to matter to someone," Gross said. "Whenever someone doesn't do something because they think no one cares or no one will care, I think that's heartbreaking because there will always be someone who cares about what you're doing."
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