Shawn Reynaldo, electronic music veteran and author of 'First Floor', discusses the evolution of dance music culture, the shift in DJ culture towards influencer DJs, challenges in the music industry and journalism, the impact of market efficiencies on subcultural activities, AI in music production, and the value of community in the music industry.
The economics of DJing have shifted, leading to pressure on producers to become DJs to make money.
Brands have crept into electronic music culture, affecting the integrity and trust in the industry.
Producers struggle to make money due to streaming and DJ fees, disrupting the traditional model.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the difficulties in sustaining a living in music, leading many to pursue other avenues or leave the industry.
Deep dives
The Shift in DJ Culture
The economics of DJing have shifted, with DJs earning more than producers. This has led to pressure on producers to become DJs to make money. DJ culture has become more focused on persona and spectacle rather than the music itself.
The Influence of Brands
Brands have crept into electronic music culture, with short-term brand activations replacing long-term projects. The presence of brands has affected the integrity and trust in the industry, and younger generations are responding more to the image and persona of DJs rather than the music they play.
The Challenging Economics for Producers
Producers are struggling to make money from their music due to streaming and the dominance of DJ fees. Initiatives like A-Slice aim to support producers, but the situation remains challenging. The economic shift between DJs and producers has disrupted the traditional model.
The Impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the disappearance of many key figures in music culture, including artists, DJs, and journalists. The pandemic highlighted the difficulties in sustaining a living in music, particularly when tours stopped. Many individuals decided to pursue other avenues or leave the industry altogether.
The challenges of the music industry post-pandemic
The podcast discusses the difficulties faced by various roles in the music industry, such as music journalists, technicians, and bookers, due to the lack of proper training and the sudden responsibilities thrust upon them. This has resulted in chaos and subpar results. While things are starting to improve as we move further away from the pandemic, there is a sense of loss and the recognition that institutional knowledge may never fully be regained.
The state of music journalism and its evolving business model
The podcast explores the challenges within music journalism and its transformation in the digital age. The broken business model of music journalism, primarily reliant on digital advertising, has caused publications to resort to brand partnerships and in-house creative agencies to generate revenue. The role of music journalism has shifted from providing genuine critique to becoming an extension of marketing campaigns, affecting the quality of content and reducing space for genuine critique.
The potential impact of AI on music production and creativity
The podcast delves into the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on music production. While there are concerns that AI may lead to the production of more mediocre music, there is also recognition of the potential for AI to open up new avenues of creativity and experimentation. The discussion highlights the importance of maintaining interdependence within the music community and the need for cultural filters and gatekeepers to guide audiences towards quality content amid the growing abundance of AI-generated music.
Over the past two decades Shawn Reynaldo has operated in every corner of electronic music. His substack "First Floor", recently anthologized into his debut book, offers a refreshingly candid account of his feelings about the turbulent state of a culture in transition.
We dive into some of the choice essays from his book, reflect on some major shifts of the last decade, and attempt a COVID post mortem.
