Deftune

Support Pandora, Fight Against The Large Radio Companies!

Not too long ago, I wrote about the possible shutdown of Pandora, a phenomenal internet radio service that allows the listener to search for their favorite songs or artists and create never ending playlists consisting of recommended music based on several key characteristics. Many of Pandora’s listeners have praised its contribution and it has become a major source for finding great music. Now it seems as their shutdown is inevitable and they need the help of their listeners NOW!

This was posted yesterday on the Pandora Blog:

Listeners we need your help… NOW!

After a yearlong negotiation, Pandora, artists and record companies are finally optimistic about reaching an agreement on royalties that would save Pandora and Internet radio. But just as we’ve gotten close, large traditional broadcast radio companies have launched a covert lobbying campaign to sabotage our progress.

Yesterday, Congressman Jay Inslee, and several co-sponsors, introduced legislation to give us the extra time we need but the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), which represents radio broadcasters such as Clear Channel, has begun intensively pressuring lawmakers to kill the bill. We have just a day or two to keep this from collapsing.

This is a blatant attempt by large radio companies to suffocate the webcasting industry that is just beginning to offer an alternative to their monopoly of the airwaves.

Please call your Congressperson right now and ask them to support H.R. 7084, the Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008 – and to not capitulate to pressure from the NAB. Congress is currently working extended hours, so even calls this evening and over the weekend should get answered.

The central congressional switchboard number is: (202) 225 3121

Or to look up your representative, visit: https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml

If the phone is busy, please try again until you get through. These calls really do make a difference.

This is a fork in the road. Only massive grassroots opposition will keep us from another 50 years of top 40 radio. It’s time to take a stand and break the stranglehold of broadcast media on radio.

Thanks so much for you ongoing support.

Tim

Founder, Pandora

Deftune supports Pandora 100% and encourage all of you to do your part. If we don’t act now a shutdown of Pandora will empower the large radio companies to continue their attempts at maintaining their stranglehold. This is all part of the big picture folks, where large corporations are relying on unethical tactics that restrict creativity and encourage the lowering of standards all so that they can improve their bottom line.

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here’s a revelation for you all. if you don’t believe what you read, then don’t. unfortunately it’s more fact than fiction. this is how the current industry works. if you have money, you can buy all the airtime on the tv/radio that you want. if you have money you can pay off any artist to sing/rap over your beat. if you have money you can buy fame and more fortune. if you have money you can buy your way into anything. but it’s only a matter of time before we’re all drowning and fed up with manufactured synthesized fake shit. what ever happened to keeping it real? don’t believe the hype you see blowing up in the media. it’s not real. support the real artists that are truly passionate about what they’re doing. don’t support the major labels. support independent artists and go to their shows. support them by buying straight from the artist. it’s time to topple the fakeness and bring in the real. support the real artists.

am i writing this because i’m bitter? no, of course not. i’m just being honest and open with you all. the truth is, if i wanted to i can basically buy my fame. i can make a track and pay off any commercial artist to do a song with me. then, i can pay off clear channel to play that track continuously on the air on any of their networks. it’s as simple as that. there are so many talented artists out there that deserve the airplay and there are so many that are overlooked. that’s why you hear a lot of crap on the radio. it’s unfair when the best talents are denied the chance to be heard because of money, corruption, and greed. change definitely needs to happen.

late

What up everyone,

Last night I took one of my long time friends to check out Low End Theory at the Airliner in Los Angeles. On the way we had a long conversation about the possibilities of implementing a weekly podcast show where we’ll be featuring our own music, we’ll have free style sessions, dj sets, musical guests, interviews, and pure ridiculousness which I can’t wait to get started. Stay tuned for that!

It was a drum and bass line up at the show and they had some sick sets! The only downside was that the main stage was closed to the public due to zoning issues w/ the city of LA. They’re really cracking down on code enforcement on everyone which sucks ass!

So, towards the end of the night I’m chillin’ at the bar and guess who’s next to me??? That’s right…the one and only DJ D-Styles. Dstyles is my Favorite Scratch DJ of ALL TIME. So I decide to say what’s up to him and I told him how much I enjoyed Phantasmagoria (his first full length album). It came out a few years ago. I think it’s one of the most influential scratch albums to date. Long story short, we have this full on conversation about music- about what he’s doing, what i’m doing, the direction that it’s taking, the positives and negatives of the digital era, and that’s right…you guessed it….we also discussed real estate. It didn’t really hit me until later that I just had this awesome conversation w/ one of my heroes and man, it was a trip talking to the guy. D was really down to earth and it was a blessing for me to be able to really pick his brain a little. Anyway, big ups D. Check out some of the photos from the night:

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