What we do now matters.

But what lies ahead?

For the first time in ten years, I bought a home stereo, complete with a CD player. Here’s why.

Recently, I read this article in Harpers discussing Spotify, AI, and its use of ghost artists and music. This is something the company has been doing for a while. Unbeknownst to me, it’s got a fancy name (Perfect Fit Content, or PFC). It’s become ingrained in both the company’s culture and bottom line and shows no sign of abating.

Within the ecosystem of music, streaming has a place.

Hate it or love it, let’s be honest: Spotify is convenient. If I want to hear an album that I don’t own or listen to an artist I am unfamiliar with, it’s easy with Spotify. I use Spotify as the example because that’s my streaming service of choice.

However, suppose Geoff Calhoun (co-host of Center Stage, the podcast) suggests that I might like something, I would be more apt to purchase it via Bandcamp or another outlet sans any investigation. He knows my tastes well enough that I trust his recommendation. The risk-to-reward ratio makes sense.

I recently went to a local record store and was nosing around for some old R.E.M. albums (I found none). That said, I did find some stuff to purchase, Little Feat, The Baby’s, The Pretenders…