This is such a refreshing thing to read because it cuts through all the reddit/armchair/whatever "record companies are going to die" and presents a more balance

This is such a refreshing thing to read because it cuts through all the reddit/armchair/whatever "record companies are going to die" and presents a more balanced picture. Also Byrne gives Bob Hurwitz, who I consider one of the greats in the business his due. All this applies today, even though this is an old article. I think it is telling that in the past four years since this was written, a lot of the things he talks about did happen, but it also got substantially worse. The great thing is: the holes that are there, where the record companies aren't servicing artists are getting filled by entrepreneurs who are making services and tools to fill the gaps. Songkick, Eventful, Soundcloud, TopSpin, Bandcamp, etc. All making good on the promises that labels aren't anymore.