1.
This week’s installment of the Reading List includes an intriguing idea by indie stalwart Beck, a compelling history of Miami bass music, and an interview with Anthony Heilbut, author and chronicler of gospel music. Check the reading list out below.
Click the thumbnails or titles to read the full articles.
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Beck’s next “album” is going to be a collection of sheet music that can be orchestrated by fans however they see fit. Forbes’ Will Burns runs down the reasons he thinks this idea is “genius.” (More details on Beck Hansen’s Song Reader here).
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Grantland’s Dave Tompkins crafts a breathing narrative about the genesis of Miami’s gift to rap music, bass, and the key contributions of former NFL player Nat Moore.
4.
“Dear Struggling Rapper, Here Are 5 Easy Steps To Success” by Chris DeLine (The Smoking Section)
Chris Deline lays out some tips for struggling rappers (though a few of these are pointers that the vast majority of rappers and artists in general could benefit from).
5.
“Nielsen Study: Radio, Friends’ Recommendations Drive Music Fans” (FMQB)
An interesting Nielsen Study that finds radio and personal recommendations more powerful than social media and (gasp!) blogs. The definitions of “personal recommendations” are a bit unclear from the article. Also unclear: if anyone plans to tell champions of this study that reports like this one catalog the past–they don’t predict the future.
6.
“Gospel’s Secrets Come Into The Light” by RJ Smith (NPR Music)
RJ Smith interviews Anthony Heilbut, the author of The Fan Who Knew Too Much: Aretha Franklin, the Rise of the Soap Opera, Children of the Gospel Church, and Other Meditations. They discuss the importance of gospel as “the blues of gay men and lesbians,” Frank Ocean, and the immortal Aretha Franklin.
