Post AWmvaBiNU8ngxMPoSu by jkohlmann@mastodon.social
(DIR) More posts by jkohlmann@mastodon.social
(DIR) Post #AWmsrlLHyZsUVvIvlQ by jkohlmann@mastodon.social
2023-06-17T16:08:48Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
So, caveat: music streaming, but a few things:A while ago I was listening to algorithmic “radio" for a particular track and got some of the most formulaic music I've heard in a while out of it. Just was constantly hitting "Next Song”.Today I'm listening to an editor-curated playlist, and the experience is leagues better. Some real bangers in here.
(DIR) Post #AWmsrm9GyjrP0wgqfo by Jaycee@zirk.us
2023-06-17T16:10:54Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@jkohlmann as a music collector for 32 years, people choosing music over an algorithm is always better!
(DIR) Post #AWmstNva0CKETR3KDI by jkohlmann@mastodon.social
2023-06-17T16:11:12Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@Jaycee It only makes the most sense, after all
(DIR) Post #AWmuYYLGHrGAbGG9EO by jkohlmann@mastodon.social
2023-06-17T16:13:35Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@Jaycee I will say, a decade ago, I would’ve told you that Pandora Radio’s picks were pretty great. No idea what they’re like now. There is probably a way to engineer these recommendations for quality *and* scale, but approaches like that will very likely require a lot of…human curation…in the first place.
(DIR) Post #AWmuYZ7pNI6l1syvvk by Jaycee@zirk.us
2023-06-17T16:29:50Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@jkohlmann yeah I've never used an algorithm, so I wouldn't know. I know all underground music, which usually isn't very available on mainstream services, so depending what you choose as your base track, it will return either decent recommendations or not. 😂 Luckily with my background I'm able to find all the music I can buy, and then some!
(DIR) Post #AWmuYc6WIbqQGhOQoC by jkohlmann@mastodon.social
2023-06-17T16:14:32Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@Jaycee Last thing: I dunno who these editors are — do I jive with their tastes? Dunno yet? Regardless, the **instantaneous** difference that a human touch made here is so hilarious and predictable to me
(DIR) Post #AWmuxeuqywHIEEsXjc by Jaycee@zirk.us
2023-06-17T16:34:23Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@jkohlmann yep, I've learned that if you want to trust someone's tastes you need to know what they are famous for, have to know their musical provenance... ! 😎✌️
(DIR) Post #AWmvaBiNU8ngxMPoSu by jkohlmann@mastodon.social
2023-06-17T16:41:20Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@Jaycee Living the dream over there!Interesting wrinkle for Pandora Radio: they had a licensing model which let them play tracks that weren’t available on other music services(!).It made a noticeable difference, but in reflecting more just now, did any of those recommended tracks stick for me? Not really — because many were derivative.So, the tyranny of “that which is licensable” with all these services is additionally soul-crushing, but obviously you need human curation even then.
(DIR) Post #AWmvjEeBx3mwepltKK by Jaycee@zirk.us
2023-06-17T16:42:59Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@jkohlmann yeah truth. I guess if the collectors of a site were underground, then the recommendations or algorithms could reflect that. But the way commercial music is set up, that will probably never happen!
(DIR) Post #AWpb1V6G0L2tKleAam by jkohlmann@mastodon.social
2023-06-18T23:35:03Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@Jaycee So, uh, just spotted this article 🥴 https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-how-the-streaming-era-turned-music-into-sludge/
(DIR) Post #AX0C2uIvPeHeSaeTlg by Jaycee@zirk.us
2023-06-24T02:17:05Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@jkohlmann sorry for the delay in response, been a busy few days - unfortunately i have hit a paywall with wired, so can;t read the article - what's the main gist?
(DIR) Post #AX1DLIb87eZw88SdJg by jkohlmann@mastodon.social
2023-06-24T14:06:16Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@Jaycee Here’s an archive.is copy: https://archive.is/2023.06.18-233525/https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-how-the-streaming-era-turned-music-into-sludge/?mbid=social_twitterOne thing they start with is “the death of the album” vis-à-vis à la carte song pricing. “That, in turn, opened the gates to sludge—where playlists completely untethered tracks from albums and even artists. My biggest problem with algorithmically-driven playlist culture is how the format—never-ending streams of disparate tracks designed for background sound—made me feel the music was disposable and the artists interchangeable.”
(DIR) Post #AX1GoXDT9O19jF1fge by jkohlmann@mastodon.social
2023-06-24T14:07:34Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@Jaycee I’d say that quote is close to one of the piece’s main theses.Do we think that online music services did what commercial radio perhaps did not due to scale, or what?
(DIR) Post #AX1GoXrWkS3njTlf7o by Jaycee@zirk.us
2023-06-24T14:45:13Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@jkohlmann that's a good question, but since I have never used Spotify or Apple music, or any sort of curated playlists channels I wouldn't be able to say personally. Although I can bet that it is true, as those music channels often bored me to tears when friends played them in the car or work or at a party. But I've always been the kind of person that like to work to find music and then works again to appreciate music though various listening hours.
(DIR) Post #AX1H3KGLasBXtiQPz6 by jkohlmann@mastodon.social
2023-06-24T14:47:53Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@Jaycee Right, my dad’s like this too, and I’ve at least had the help of DJs to guide my musical discovery for decades. I guess commercial radio and grab bag playlists are what most people have access to. Combine that with the rise of iPod, iPhone, etc., and we end up with an even more watered down mainstream paradigm for music consumption.
(DIR) Post #AX1HrTJ0FMcgQGZwGG by Jaycee@zirk.us
2023-06-24T14:56:57Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@jkohlmann yes that's true. I think with the right skills, one of these types of channels could be good for discovery of music, however knowing how badly these platforms pay the artists, underground musical acts would be sceptical of the assist as it wouldn't necessarily bring them any more more money. Most people don't want to pay to collect music individually, thus, the success of these channels...
(DIR) Post #AX1Hry37wRLLm0OCJs by Jaycee@zirk.us
2023-06-24T14:57:03Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@jkohlmann But to the destruction of the act of treasure hunting, and just add importantly, the act collecting and active listening and enjoyment for a lifetime.