boston progress radio

So, the radio station isn’t even up and running yet and I hear wind of the fact that Congress has enacted new laws that would basically make it impossible for small webcasters like ourselves to stream Internet radio. I’m depressed about it. Maybe there is a way around it, but I’m not entirely hopeful.

As I tried to setup the SHOUTcast server, I started looking around for what kind of licensing one would need in order to play music over the Internet. Turns out that at least two entities hold the copyright to a piece of music you want to play. There is the entity that holds the copyright to the composition. Usually, that is the artist, but may also include ASCAP, BMI, and SECAP. So, you have to pay them. In many cases, I believe the artist can grant you a royalty-free license.

In addition to the license for the musical composition, you also need rights to the actual musical performance. Typically, this will involve a record label. Most record labels will not give you a royalty-free license. And before this March 1, 2007 ruling, one could buy a special license that I don’t really understand. Now, it seems as though the RIAA and its whipping boy, the SoundExchange, have convinced Congress to gouge small webcasters even more. Sigh.

So, the future of our station is now in limbo. Stay tuned and support independent streaming radio by checking out the blog Save Our Internet Radio.

Tags: News, Webcasting.

Welcome to Boston Progress Radio: Streaming consciousness of Asian American music. We’ve set out with one goal - to increase the visibility of Asian Americans in music - whether it be hip hop, indie rock, spoken word, whatever. We don’t just want to be visible, we want to be heard. And what better, equalizing medium than the internet. So here is our stream of consciousness, our conscious effort to represent within the world of music.

This is a collective effort, part of our collective consciousness. We hope that in this spirit, you will share your thoughts, feedback, reactions as we try to grow this community.

Even the NYT thinks there’s an issue with Asian Americans in the music industry. Maybe we think this is something that goes beyond the Styles section. But it’s still something to think about.

Read it » Trying to Crack the Hot 100.

Tap. Is this thing on? Test. 206. 617.

Can you hear me out there?

Tags: News.