I am very excited about MTV. MTV? Did he say MTV? I know. I hear you. MTV hasn’t been socially or personally relevant since they abandoned music in the mid-nineties. But, secretly, in the dark place where I store my memorization of the lyrics of at least three full Pink Floyd albums, was a hope that one day Music Television would return to Music Television. Well, guess what? They haven’t. They’re doing something even better. Music Games! Later this year, MTV Games is planning to set-up a way for anyone to submit their songs for Rock Band. Aside from the fact that people WILL now FINALLY be able to personally FEEL the truth and power of that crappy folk rap I subjected the four people in the student union to in ’94, this is a great step for MTV and indie music. I love any action that puts the power of celebrity in the hands of the artists and their fans. I was thrilled last year when MC Frontalot and Jonathan Coulton got songs on Guitar Hero. It gave me a scary, unnerving feeling that the new media indie music scene has the potential for a massive societal impact. MTV Games Rock Band Network could be a great next step. If you are an indie artist I thoroughly encourage you to jump on this, in beta if possible. Get in there and figure it out. Move quickly and confidently. Embrace and evolve before the larger media companies have a chance to clutter the platform. Prepare your fanbase that it’s coming. MTV is showing some interest in music again and I think there are real creative and business opportunities for the ambitious early adopter. If we learn from the past and work toward the future everything will be a present.
Filed under: Music, Thoughts Tagged: | Games, Guitar Hero, Jonathan Coulton, MC Frontalot, MTV, Rock Band
