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I've been wondering about something else - who determines, how, which music to play in stores, and is there money in offering something better? In a few stores

I've been wondering about something else - who determines, how, which music to play in stores, and is there money in offering something better? In a few stores the music is surprisingly good, in most it is awful. There is a bar that I like among other things because it plays good music on high quality speakers. I believe that there is a market for good music. The charts are bent by the type of people who still buy music in ways that are reflected in the charts. An example of IMO good music that I think most people can enjoy would be Ladytron.

golergka 9y ago
Music is not or bad; it's subjective. There's a whole industry that provides music for stores and cafes, and big chain clothing stores that care about their brand do careful music selection so it fits their demographic; young adult brands mass-market brands like Zara and Topman, in particular, come to mind. As far as bars and clubs go, music is often their defining individual trait. I used to DJ in a small bar on a crowded bar street; these places offered the same drinks at the same prices, but each had their own visual and musical style - one had a mexican-ish feel, another was all about classic rock, third one top40 and trap music in particular, and one I played at was a moody techno place. What's curious is that most people actually went back and forth between these places all the time - seems like they liked variety more than any particular music genre.
- ahartmetz 9y ago
  You seem to be implying partially that it's about which style of music to play. That is not what I mean, although I do like or not like certain styles. I think that people who don't care much about music either way (who are responsible for most bad music) are easily convinced of something better. A famous example of great taste in music is John Peel. He could figure out what people would eventually like because he just knew it was good. AFAICT he wasn't just trying to predict what would sell best in the near future, he just trusted his taste. Taste isn't 100% subjective - otherwise what's the point of ratings? This discussion comes up on sites such as this regularly and I'm on the side that good and bad art exists. I don't think it is worth rehashing that discussion, if we disagree we should just agree to disagree.
khedoros1 9y ago
My mother works in Barnes & Noble. The corporation supplies each store with a selection of music that changes periodically (once a week or month, maybe). I don't know how the decision is actually made in the corporate offices, though. I don't really want "good music" playing around all the time, though. It's a distraction from whatever I'm trying to do. Something quiet that kind of blends into the background is fine, though.

golergka 9y ago

Music is not or bad; it's subjective. There's a whole industry that provides music for stores and cafes, and big chain clothing stores that care about their brand do careful music selection so it fits their demographic; young adult brands mass-market brands like Zara and Topman, in particular, come to mind. As far as bars and clubs go, music is often their defining individual trait. I used to DJ in a small bar on a crowded bar street; these places offered the same drinks at the same prices, but each had their own visual and musical style - one had a mexican-ish feel, another was all about classic rock, third one top40 and trap music in particular, and one I played at was a moody techno place. What's curious is that most people actually went back and forth between these places all the time - seems like they liked variety more than any particular music genre.

ahartmetz 9y ago
You seem to be implying partially that it's about which style of music to play. That is not what I mean, although I do like or not like certain styles. I think that people who don't care much about music either way (who are responsible for most bad music) are easily convinced of something better. A famous example of great taste in music is John Peel. He could figure out what people would eventually like because he just knew it was good. AFAICT he wasn't just trying to predict what would sell best in the near future, he just trusted his taste. Taste isn't 100% subjective - otherwise what's the point of ratings? This discussion comes up on sites such as this regularly and I'm on the side that good and bad art exists. I don't think it is worth rehashing that discussion, if we disagree we should just agree to disagree.

khedoros1 9y ago

My mother works in Barnes & Noble. The corporation supplies each store with a selection of music that changes periodically (once a week or month, maybe). I don't know how the decision is actually made in the corporate offices, though. I don't really want "good music" playing around all the time, though. It's a distraction from whatever I'm trying to do. Something quiet that kind of blends into the background is fine, though.