Hi there -

It's tough not to see a connecting thread between today's music stories, largely focused around the industry, technology and innovation.

First we have an update from Muslc Ally's NY:LON event, in which Warners' Oana Ruxandra opines that the industry's risk averse approach in years gone by is perhaps now coming home to roost - and not in a good way.

I've long grumbled that everyone in music needs to think more broadly. We're all just entrepreneurs now, and those lines between musicians, broadcasters, influencers and business people of all persuasions are constantly getting more blurry.

Next we have Ted Gioia arguing that the music business screwed up its handling of the vinyl revival - again, by being risk averse.

To be honest, I can't say I agree with Ted on this point. He claims that vinyl could have his sales of 40-50 million per annum if it had only been nurtured properly. Personally I struggle to see that; it has always felt niche and talismanic.

Finally, consider Sony's "revival" of the Walkman, which in truth is a high-end digital music player. The sales pitch looks nice enough, but I struggle to see mainstream appetite for a dedicated portable player.

Equally though, as the youth flock back to digital cameras and anything that gets them both disconnected from their one-size-fits-all phone in favour of more frictional pleasures (granted, not the best phrase I've typed this year 😬), one might argue that Sony could have just revived the original Walkman.

On that front, you only need to consider the supremely retro Sound Burger portable vinyl player, A new version - updated to include bluetooth support for headphones and a USB-C port for charging the built-in battery - sold out instantly upon its reissue as a limited edition 60th anniversary item last year. Such was the demand that the Sound Burger is now coming back for mass manufacture, releasing again this spring.

So maybe Sony need to get that retro Walkman on sale, and stat.... or... maybe we all need to focus on what's next. It's all there to explore if you want to. Outwardly things might appear bleak on certain levels right now, but with even Universal stepping up to say change is needed in the streaming model etc, I'd say everything is now wide open to get innovated on.

Have a great evening,

D.

🎶 written whilst listening to LCD Soundsystem's "45:33". Essentially an instrumental mix of the best tracks, it was originally made as a kind of fitness accompaniment by Nike (I think?). Either way, it makes for perfect work music as I wade through nine tons of accounting BS. Good times!