A lot of it is industrial — the development or advancement of a business model. And this where I don’t want to understate the continued power of global distribution that still runs through major labels. But I think there are more alternatives, too — local or regional pop industries that really aren’t connected to established companies, specific labels promoting a scene, or just a strong group of artists scattered across different distribution networks. I think it can be calculated or organic (the Collin Smith piece I linked to draws that distinction more sharply than I do)—my interest is that all these different routes lead you to a similar place
"vast tracts of my own ignorance": that's a good one, Dave! But your own column illustrates that those are tracts that will soon be...trod?
here’s hoping!
to your mind, what influences when a regional scene starts eyeing their ability to reach/influence global mass culture?
A lot of it is industrial — the development or advancement of a business model. And this where I don’t want to understate the continued power of global distribution that still runs through major labels. But I think there are more alternatives, too — local or regional pop industries that really aren’t connected to established companies, specific labels promoting a scene, or just a strong group of artists scattered across different distribution networks. I think it can be calculated or organic (the Collin Smith piece I linked to draws that distinction more sharply than I do)—my interest is that all these different routes lead you to a similar place