Stream of Consciousness - the transition of music streaming
Short thesis:
Description:
Although streaming has thereby become subject of many discussions (for example the question of fair payment for musicians), the implications of such a comprehensive change in the way we listen to music have not yet been discussed. Disconcertingly a lot of actors involved seem to believe that music and the ways it's produced and consumed will not be affected by this new main distribution channel.
This is surprising since thus far every distribution channel left imprints in the structure of music and songwriting. The diameter and playback speed of vinyls shaped the formats of singles and EPs. Although music production is not bound to these standards set by physical sound carriers anymore, the formats of popular music remain surprisingly solid. Three and a half minutes playing time are still the formal core of pop music and the requirement for a successful song. Streaming will leave its own traces in music and our habits how to consume it.
The panel »Stream of Consciousness - the transition of music streaming« is addressing these changes to music and the selection of it, emerging from the technical, economical and cultural interplay of streaming as dominant way of distribution.