Panos Panay: “The Internet has been like the French Revolution for the music business”

It’s the same story in any form of media publishing: WSJ: Musician Finds a Following Online:

“The Internet has been like the French Revolution for the music business,” says Panos Panay, founder and CEO of Sonicbids. The aristocracy “has faded” as the “cost of distribution, production and even getting connected has come down.” Now, he adds, anyone with “a niche and devoted fans can make a living.”

Song of the day: Living Colour – “Cult of Personality”

MTV.com: Living Colour – Cult Of Personality

Look into my eyes, what do you see?

Cult of Personality

I know your anger, I know your dreams

I’ve been everything you want to be

I’m the Cult of Personality

Like Mussolini and Kennedy

I’m the Cult of Personality

Cult of Personality

Cult of Personality

Neon lights, A Nobel Price

The mirror speaks, the reflection lies

You don’t have to follow me

Only you can set me free

I sell the things you need to be

I’m the smiling face on your T.V.

I’m the Cult of Personality

I exploit you still you love me

I tell you one and one makes three

I’m the Cult of Personality

Like Joseph Stalin and Gandhi

I’m the Cult of Personality

Cult of Personality

Cult of Personality

Neon lights a Nobel Prize

A leader speaks, that leader dies

You don’t have to follow me

Only you can set you free

You gave me fortune

You gave me fame

You me power in your God’s name

I’m every person you need to be

I’m

The

Cult

Of

Per

Son

Al

Ity!

Nikki Sixx on National Recovery Month

“Here we are a year later and [I’m thinking], ‘What can I talk about, what can I say that will make people that are in recovery want to stand up and support Recovery Month?'” he says. “A friend of mine said, ‘You know, the fact that you did a really honest book and it changed people’s lives, that’s something to talk about.’ It’s a year later and the book is still selling, and it’s still changing people’s lives.”

Discussing the wisdom he’s gleaned from his own recovery efforts, Sixx he’s noticed preaching to addicts that they need to stop usually doesn’t help. The “Diaries” song “Accidents Can Happen” relates to how relapse is part of recovery.

“What I used to be told [was], ‘What the f*ck’s wrong with you? Why can’t you do like everybody else? Why can’t you stop? Why can’t you act right?'” he recalls, saying “Accidents Can Happen” attempts to convey that “We all fall off the wagon. It’s only one day, it’s not the rest of your life. Pick yourself up and go again. And I think if someone had told me that at times in my life, it would have been a lot better than being ripped apart.

The purpose of “Diaries” was to deliver a message to the masses. When it comes to his personal life, Sixx tries to show by example that sobriety is cool.

BTW – “Accidents Can Happen” is a terrific, terrific song. Better than anything Motley Crue has released in years. Downright powerful.

Neil Diamond in the New York Times

Mom loved Neil Diamond and on some level, his music remains a part of my life.

NYTimes: Backstage With Neil Diamond, the Marathon Man of Pop

“I never expected that I would be doing this for as long as I’ve been doing it,” he said after his sold-out show at the XL Center here on Thursday, having changed out of his black silk stage costume and into jeans and a loose-fitting cotton shirt, his eyes hidden behind small round glasses.

“So looking back and seeing that it’s been over 40 years since the first hits makes you think, ‘Is there a time that you stop?’ ” he continued. “But I don’t think I’m ever going to stop. It’s the only challenge I have left in my life.”