Acoustic panel from the Hangar Studio in Sacramento.

Rightround.com decided to pull the plug. Too bad. They’re a nice group of people and I liked what they were doing. Doesn’t help much to say so now…

Perhaps it does help to direct your attention to savenetradio.org.

I learned about savenetradio from Elise’s very clear story about SoundExchange and the RIAA’s attempts to destabilize independent online music distribution.

Net radio is a powerful tool in helping artists connect with people who care about art. The net radio value chain delivers quality entertainment with minimal help from lawyers, financiers, or major label managers. Therefore the net radio value chain is a threat to lawyers, financiers, and major label managers.

Soundexchange and the RIAA are trying to destabilize the forces that threaten their business model. With the current state of the web, they know they can’t win. But they can fight (lawyers!) and some people who fight back will lose. This fight obviously isn’t limited to teenagers, grandmothers, or unpaid indie rock dj’s. The real action takes place in Washington.

Soundexchange and the RIAA have government relations budgets. It’s time to help them spend those budgets. You can help by visiting Savenetradio.org.

Free soundtrack generously provided by your friends at SomaFM.com.

[tags]Savenetradio.org, SomaFM.com, Rightround.com[/tags]

Today I paid $17.98 plus tax for a retail copy of a new release by one of my favorite bands.

First, I found a knife to slice through the cellophane wrapper. Then I removed the pretentious and completely forgettable paperboard sleeve. Took the sleeve and cellophane to the recycling/trash.

Popped the disk into the computer and began to pry the liner notes out of the jewel case. I needed to use the knife to do that too. Meanwhile the music starts playing.

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s bike to work day. I volunteered with the SF Bike Coalition this morning at an “energizer station” on Valencia. Saw a lot of friends and made some new ones. Many people turned out. Even more will be out there this afternoon to celebrate the ride home and to cruise around with other cyclists.

I know I don’t bike commute. I’ll bike to band rehearsal tonight, ok?

Otherwise I’d be joining one of the group cruises happening around the bay. East bay people should get with the Rock the Bike cruise starting at 7 Pm at Lanesplitters on Telegraph & 50th in Oakland.

If you’re in SF you might want to ride with the too hard bike posse that’s meeting tonight at 7 at Ritual Roasters on Valencia. According to one of the crew they’ll be cruising to “secret locations” so spread the word.

If you want to see pics from bike to work day in SF I’m told they’ll be tagged BTWD on Flickr

[tags]bike to work day, btwd, SFBC[/tags]