The Seed Capital for Startups Blog

David Byrne's Survival Strategies for Emerging Artists — and Megastars

There's a superb article in Wired that every musician should read on how to survive and prosper in an age where the old labels are withering away.  Back in the late 1990s I was involved as a consultant with a dotcom whose purpose was to introduce many of the ideas suggested by this article. Alas, due to inner strife between the founder and staff it eventually collapsed.

David Byrne's Survival Strategies for Emerging Artists — and Megastars

You don't have to be in the music industry to find a few gems in this article which can help you to improve your business model.

Comfortably Numb: The Perfect Friday Night Song

Roger Waters with the great Van Morrison, Levon Helm and Rick Danko. I first heard this version in The Departed and now prefer it to the original Pink Floyd version.

Best Song of the Last 50 Years: Sweet Surrender

Sweet Surrender by Tim Buckley

Ever have a song that you loved but couldn't remember the artist or title--and it drove you crazy for years?

Well, this is that song for me. 

After finishing the Australian film Candy (with Heath Ledger) last night, I wanted to find out the name of a piece of music from it. To make a long story short, in the search I stumbled across a song I had not heard in 25 years. For years I tried to describe it to people in the hopes that they could identify it but had no luck. After a decade of seemingly futile effort, I forced myself to give up on the quest. Then last night I found it.

Thank you, Internets!

If we had to vote on the best song of the past 50 years, this just might get my vote.

Success Symbols

I can't recall watching Miami Vice back in the 1980s. However, as everyone else watched it religiously,  I got to see snippets from most episodes at the homes of my parents and friends.  There is one scene I do recall being absolutely mesmerized by.  It had Crockett and Tubbs in a cigarette boat skimming over the waves. The music in the background is "Voices" by Russ Ballard.

This is the single best scene in a series noted for its breathtaking visuals, in my humble opinion.

Great song too.

Enjoy.

I'm Shipping Up To Boston by The Dropkick Murphys

This is from one of my favorite movies, The Departed. If you loved Good Fellas, you will love this latest film from Scorcese.