JessicaRulestheUniverse.com

I just read a short story called Perkus Tooth by Jonathan Lethem in which the title character diagnoses Al Gore and David Byrne as “super high-functioning autistics”. DB has described himself as “borderline Asperger’s”. He’s like those elders from advanced civilizations in old Star Trek episodes, the ones who guard the time-travel portals or decide to spare the human race.

In this piece in Wired, he explains the workings of the music industry from his unique perspective. “I have seen this business from both sides. I’ve made money, and I’ve been ripped off. I’ve had creative freedom, and I’ve been pressured to make hits. I have dealt with diva behavior from crazy musicians, and I have seen genius records by wonderful artists get completely ignored. I love music. I always will. It saved my life, and I bet I’m not the only one who can say that. What is called the music business today, however, is not the business of producing music. . .”

So Madonna abandons the record company for a concert promoter, and Radiohead not only debuts its new album online but allows buyers to name their price for the download. Do we hear bells tolling the end of the music industry? Or is this the sound of the artists telling the major labels to go screw themselves? DB’s Survival Strategies for Emerging Artists—and Megastars.