New potentials for "independent" music : social networks, old and new, and the ongoing struggles to reshape the music industry
Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Comparative Media Studies, 2008.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | eng |
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2008
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/43197 |
| _version_ | 1826204943592194048 |
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| author | Wendel, Evan Landon |
| author2 | William Uricchio. |
| author_facet | William Uricchio. Wendel, Evan Landon |
| author_sort | Wendel, Evan Landon |
| collection | MIT |
| description | Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Comparative Media Studies, 2008. |
| first_indexed | 2024-09-23T13:03:50Z |
| format | Thesis |
| id | mit-1721.1/43197 |
| institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2024-09-23T13:03:50Z |
| publishDate | 2008 |
| publisher | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | mit-1721.1/431972019-04-10T13:48:29Z New potentials for "independent" music : social networks, old and new, and the ongoing struggles to reshape the music industry Wendel, Evan Landon William Uricchio. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Comparative Media Studies. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Comparative Media Studies. Comparative Media Studies. Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Comparative Media Studies, 2008. Includes bibliographical references (p. 105-111). This thesis explores the evolving nature of independent music practices in the context of offline and online social networks. The pivotal role of social networks in the cultural production of music is first examined by treating an independent record label of the post-punk era as an offline social network. This develops a useful framework for then considering the similar and distinctive ways in which contemporary independent practices are enabled and/or shaped by online social networks. Analysis is based on close, comparative readings of the structures and affordances of two case studies: the UK-based Rough Trade record label (1978 - 1991) and MySpace (2003 - present). Numerous examples of artists and their practices are drawn upon to illustrate how discursive meanings of independence are negotiated within each network. Investigated are potentials for realizing not only autonomy from the mainstream music industry, but also a range of other post-punk ideals tied to a broader independent ethos concerned with issues of access and participation, artistic control and freedom, as well as desires to engender more diverse music cultures. The intersection of offline and online networks in the context of today's dynamic, transitional music industry further provides new opportunities for more meaningful artist-to-artist, artist-to-fan, and artist-to-company/label interactions. By emphasizing the centrality of social networks, conceptions of autonomous, "do-it-yourself" music making are problematized in favor of "do-it-together" understandings that foreground cooperation. by Evan Landon Wendel. S.M. 2008-11-07T19:14:35Z 2008-11-07T19:14:35Z 2008 2008 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/43197 256929823 eng M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 112 p. application/pdf Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| spellingShingle | Comparative Media Studies. Wendel, Evan Landon New potentials for "independent" music : social networks, old and new, and the ongoing struggles to reshape the music industry |
| title | New potentials for "independent" music : social networks, old and new, and the ongoing struggles to reshape the music industry |
| title_full | New potentials for "independent" music : social networks, old and new, and the ongoing struggles to reshape the music industry |
| title_fullStr | New potentials for "independent" music : social networks, old and new, and the ongoing struggles to reshape the music industry |
| title_full_unstemmed | New potentials for "independent" music : social networks, old and new, and the ongoing struggles to reshape the music industry |
| title_short | New potentials for "independent" music : social networks, old and new, and the ongoing struggles to reshape the music industry |
| title_sort | new potentials for independent music social networks old and new and the ongoing struggles to reshape the music industry |
| topic | Comparative Media Studies. |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/43197 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT wendelevanlandon newpotentialsforindependentmusicsocialnetworksoldandnewandtheongoingstrugglestoreshapethemusicindustry |