Christine Doelling opens her book about digital music copyright with the following quote from Plato: “Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” It is a book written to protect music. It is a book written to help artists and listeners understand what the industry gatekeepers already know. And yes, it is named after track 2 on Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City. Like many of us, Doelling downloaded the celebrated debut from the Compton MC before it dropped. But, she also purchased the album when it was released officially because she loved and believed in the project. She understands what it means to love and support the culture on multiple levels. She’s also had a front row seat to the crumbling of the institution we call the music industry.
So, what’s the 38th Notes angle? Well, the George Washington University and London College of Communications-educated music industry insider, who also co-founded the music marketing boutique Lunchbox Theory and D.C.’s wildly popular AfroBeat party, is a Berkeley native and Oakland resident. But we’re also posting this because the book is packed with information that we feel is critical for our audience to grasp, especially the artists.
Too often musicians work to break into an industry they don’t quite understand and they get screwed in the process. It is our hope that everyone of you who is involved in or plans to be involved in the music industry takes the time to read this e-book. Think of it as an investment. We all love music and many of us are trying our damnedest to eat off of it in someway. This is about sustainability. This is about protecting artists. This is about protecting the art.
School yourself.
Get your free copy of B*tch Don’t Kill My Vibe here.
