Music, Drones and Electric Train Sets
Last Christmas we wanted to entertain family kids with an electric train set under the tree. We drove to a large toy store nearby. “Where are the train sets?” we asked a young store associate. “We don’t stock them anymore, but you can order one online” he replied. “Train sets are boring, kids today want flying drones” he continued. We ordered a set anyway. But sure enough, that train never left its snowy station throughout the holidays. It simply couldn’t compete with modern entertainment like videos games, tablets and the internet.
Is the music industry like the electric train sets business?
Music and trains have a lot in common: they both run on tracks! Indeed, songs can only go forward or backward (rewind). A music album is like a train of songs, hopefully pulled by a hit locomotive. Unfortunately not all music trains are well put together with a clear sense of direction. We, the listening passengers, often have to hop and shuffle from one to another to reach our entertainment destination.
Drones open up a world in 3D with endless possibilities. They are surprisingly easy to get started with. Yet they offer a challenging roadmap for the more advanced skills like racing. That’s more like it for young folks today (and many adults). Why can’t songs be this much fun?
Drones create priceless memories too. While boating on lake Union someone let his drone take flight and shoot videos of us having a great time as the sun was setting. The plunging shots and 360 degrees camera pans were shared for posterity. Music was part of the experience, but it was something in the background.
What if songs could magically expressed themselves in uniquely memorable ways befitting each moment of your life?
Of course, music is art. And fine art is not a toy. But music is also entertainment. To entertain and create cherished personal memories are pursuits just as noble. In this regard recorded music is not as potent as it used to be for previous generations. Songs can only do one thing, are oblivious of your existence and offer no outlet for personalization and creativity.
Young people today are more sophisticated than that. They are smarter, expect more degrees of freedom, seek richer experiences with unique relevance to their life. And their attention is the most sought-after commodity in the world. Electric train sets simply won’t do.
The Serenader Project explores the future of music in the age of streaming. Artists can express their songs in different interpretations. Listeners can customize them to their tastes and share with their friends.

