Why Major Labels Still Hold a Big Hammer

There's been much talk in recent years about the declining influence of the major record labels.  After all, there's now just three of them:  Universal, Sony and Warner.  It's all about indies, right?  Plus YouTube and Facebook and all the streaming music services we can choose from.

Well, yes and no.  While it's true that someone like Macklemore & Ryan Lewis can reach the top of the Billboard album chart as an indie (Mostly.  Well, sort of.) and Psy couldn't have been Psy without YouTube, there's still a big role for the major labels to play.

PandoDaily has a good look what what that role is today. It's different than in the old days, but the bottom line is that there's still a big place in the music ecosystem for the majors.

And Now, Taylor Swift Duets with a Goat

It's the weekend.  F**k it.

(Via Vulture.com)

It's the Weekend, So WTF. Here's DEATH METAL CHICKEN

You're welcome.

New Music This Week on Squish

Squish is my 24/7 commercial-free online alt-rock radio station powered by Astral Radio.  You can listening anytime you want using the link on the right-hand side.  

And if you want to listen on your mobile, get the Virgin Radio Canada app.  You'll find a link for Squish in there.

National Music Centre Breaks Ground

Canada is finally--finally--getting to get an HQ for all things music.  The official groundbreaking ceremoney for the National Music Centre was held today.  This 160,000 square-foot building in downtown Calgary will be the home of the history of music--all music--in Canada.  It will also house

-The Canadian Music Hall of Fame

-Performance spaces

-Recording studios

-Broadcast facilities

-An artist-in-residence program

-Special exhibitions

-The famous Rolling Stones mobile recording truck

-One of the most amazing keyboard collections anywhere.

Construction will take about two years.  Meanwhile, there's the gargantuan task of acquiring and cataloguing all the necessary artifacts.  But it will be worth it.