Written by jeej
Posted: 3 Sep, 2006
Filed under: Rant
68 Comments

3 and a Half

Three and a half months of blogging, and what have I learnt? Funny you should ask, this is something I was thinking about yesterday. I’ve gone from nothing to something in quite a short space of time. I started this blog as something to do, particularly whilst FIZIKZ was still down (and it still is) – but as with most new hobbies I pick up, I just went along with the flow and enjoyed the journey it took me on. If you don’t run a blog, there are a few things you should know; bloggers can check detailed stats on who visits them and why, bloggers can see who is linking to their own blog, and bloggers can also register their blog with directories and aggregators to help gain traffic.

When I first started, like I say, it was merely a hobby, and generally somewhere I could share the details of my discoveries with the bigger world. But curiosity and progression are just part of the human condition, so naturally I was eager to see what my stats were doing. At first I was just pleased to see 30 hits a day, but quickly that number grew. To cut a long story short, I saw my stats peak recently during the hype of the new DJ Shadow album, where my review was the number one returned link on Google for the search “DJ Shadow The Outsider Review” – I was getting about 1000 hits a day. However, that did indeed die down… right down. But I was glad to see this peak and crash (for want of a better word), it enabled me to rationalise and remember why I write this blog.

Essentially there are a few things you can do to ensure you have a popular music blog; register with as many directories as possible, swap links with as many other music blogs as possible (preferably very popular ones), check (and register with) aggregators like elbows and Hype Machine to see what people are searching for and what people are talking about. That last point is a particular point I’d like to focus on. If you go to Hype Machine now and check the popular tracks link you will see that Justin Timberlake and The Rapture are popular with the readers, but I use the term ‘readers’ very loosely. Essentially people use Hype Machine to find free mp3s, the chances of anyone actually reading what the blogger writes is probably slim – alas of course I am wondering if anyone is reading this right now?!

To make your music blog popular just regularly post up free mp3s of the latest big thing, or unreleased tracks from an album that isn’t out, but is highly anticipated – this isn’t a free tips column, it’s very much tongue in cheek observations. I’ve seen how the stats react on my own blog when I’ve posted up tracks from The Knife or Outkast – but post up some obscure Eastern European nu-jazz and the stats stay low. There is a simple answer really; people search for popular stuff, if your blog has it, they’ll come and get it. But this goes back to what I was originally saying about rationalising. I’m at the point now where I don’t care about the stats anymore, I just remind myself why I started the blog – it was to share with people the music I like, not to give people the exact stuff they’re looking for. Maybe that sounds selfish, but hey, it’s my blog and if just a few people a day actually read what I write, rather than just steam on in, grab the latest Justin Timberlake mp3 and go, then I’m a happy chap.

I read an article by a music critic/journalist the other day, he was stating that the regular music critic is now a rare breed, what with all the music bloggers etc… He summarised by saying there was still a place in the world for the old skool journos, but where he said that the blogger now has control and can command huge traffic on the net to reach a large readership, I’m not so sure I agree in whole. Essentially these bloggers can harness traffic, which in turn could earn them revenue – so from a marketing perspective it is a very viable situation that could easily prosper, however from a quality stand-point I think it is poor.

We shape our own communities and trends – where all people want is free mp3s and they don’t care what you’re writing, the writers often end up following suit. They chase stats and hits, so why bother typing a bucket load of opinions and info, when all you need to do is post up that Justin Timberlake mp3? No extra effort required. I’m not here for a witch hunt, but one of the Hype Machine’s current most popular tracks (AKA: been commanding lots of traffic) is a JT track that is accompanied on the blog entry by three sentences. Three sentences, an mp3, and a bucket load of traffic. It’s not essentially the bloggers fault per sé, he (or she) probably never promised to be comparable to Dickens, but through posting up something that a lot of people are looking for, they’ve gained hits galore. But essentially nor is it Hype Machine’s fault either, they provide a good service and cant control what people search for – such is life.

This whole conundrum answers itself, people search for popular things (enter vicious circle theory here), so traffic is generated in that manner by the masses. But, I’m not particularly bothered by the stats… remember?! So, in all sincerity, I’m sorry if I sound at all bitter, I genuinely don’t mean to – I’m just explaining and rationalising (mainly to myself) how this ol’ music blogging business works. Anyway, if anything, I should be commanding a nice little niché in the market, seeing as 95% of music blogs are about indie rock and I prefer some hip-hop and electronica! How bout I finish up this ultra-rant with some irony and post a track from an artist a lot of people will be searching for?!

Radiohead – Creep (Acapella)
>> download <<
This download is a sample of the music only and must be deleted from your computer within 24 hours of downloading. This download link will expire on 9th September.

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  • Peter

    that is not Radiohead. Don’t know who it is but it is clearly not the boys from Oxford.

  • Peter

    that is not Radiohead. Don’t know who it is but it is clearly not the boys from Oxford.

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Yup, you’re quite right – it even states on the song file that it is from an album of covers. But more to the point you found it and downloaded it because you were searching for (or at least stumbled upon) what you thought was a Radiohead track. The ironic last line of this blog post is clearly apt.

    Still, hope you enjoyed the cover… whoever it is by! :-)

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Yup, you’re quite right – it even states on the song file that it is from an album of covers. But more to the point you found it and downloaded it because you were searching for (or at least stumbled upon) what you thought was a Radiohead track. The ironic last line of this blog post is clearly apt.

    Still, hope you enjoyed the cover… whoever it is by! :-)

  • Aaron

    I’ve noticed your grammar and general written-style has become more pleasurable to read–something I myself am trying to improve. All in all, keep up the good work and thanks for introducing me to various artists and their tracks!

    I enjoy reading people blogs. Sure there the standard of writing varies quite a lot, but it’s good people have the opportunity to express themselves, and communicate with and find out about the world around them. If you think about it, the standard of writing varies in the mainstream media–just look at the sun newspaper and then compare it to the independent newspaper! Blogging lets the ordinary prols get in on the action ;)

  • Aaron

    I’ve noticed your grammar and general written-style has become more pleasurable to read–something I myself am trying to improve. All in all, keep up the good work and thanks for introducing me to various artists and their tracks!

    I enjoy reading people blogs. Sure there the standard of writing varies quite a lot, but it’s good people have the opportunity to express themselves, and communicate with and find out about the world around them. If you think about it, the standard of writing varies in the mainstream media–just look at the sun newspaper and then compare it to the independent newspaper! Blogging lets the ordinary prols get in on the action ;)

  • Matt

    I read your column…..while I was downloading the song,lol. And I’ll be sure to delete the track after 24 hours too::wink, wink, nudge, nudge::

    Seriously though, I would love to be more experimental, but I’m on dial up (insert laughter here), so I usually stick to what I know or what I think I will like. When it takes half an hour to d/l a typical song…well, you get the idea.

    BTW, I can’t believe the RIAA hasn’t come after the blogosphere ::knock on wood:: for the reasons you stated. I think your right that aggregators are used mainly to track down the popular stuff. Sadly, I think it only a matter of time before the lawyers get involved.

    p.s. Is this topic like a no-hitter-in-progress? Are you not supposed to talk about it?? LOL

  • Matt

    I read your column…..while I was downloading the song,lol. And I’ll be sure to delete the track after 24 hours too::wink, wink, nudge, nudge::

    Seriously though, I would love to be more experimental, but I’m on dial up (insert laughter here), so I usually stick to what I know or what I think I will like. When it takes half an hour to d/l a typical song…well, you get the idea.

    BTW, I can’t believe the RIAA hasn’t come after the blogosphere ::knock on wood:: for the reasons you stated. I think your right that aggregators are used mainly to track down the popular stuff. Sadly, I think it only a matter of time before the lawyers get involved.

    p.s. Is this topic like a no-hitter-in-progress? Are you not supposed to talk about it?? LOL

  • kez

    Guilty of Hype machine usage, however there are so many blogs out there i guess people post popular songs to get someone to pay attention. I read alot of blogs from visiting to get songs, if the poster sounds interesting, and i go back just to read new things, not to get any more stuff. Also if someone who’s opinion i respect recommeneds something obscure (to me) to listen to, i usually try and may buy the album from it.

  • kez

    Guilty of Hype machine usage, however there are so many blogs out there i guess people post popular songs to get someone to pay attention. I read alot of blogs from visiting to get songs, if the poster sounds interesting, and i go back just to read new things, not to get any more stuff. Also if someone who’s opinion i respect recommeneds something obscure (to me) to listen to, i usually try and may buy the album from it.

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Aaron: I appreciate your support, as ever. But… I didn’t mean at any point to insinuate that a lot of blogs are poor and every blog should be brilliant, I mean those in glass houses etc… nobody’s perfect. I do appreciate that it takes allsorts.

    Matt: Well, dial-up eh? You deserve commendation for merely downloading an mp3, utmost patience! But, often people (read: bloggers) are served with “cease and desist” orders. A popular blog was served with one from people representing the artist known as Justin Timberlake, just the other day. Basically he just took down all the mp3s – otherwise I guess legal action would’ve ensued. Thanks for leaving a comment. :-)

    kez: Ah don’t feel guilty for using Hype Machine! I use it and my blog is registered there! I was really just using that site as an example of how traffic filters to blogs that post up mp3s the masses are hunting for.

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Aaron: I appreciate your support, as ever. But… I didn’t mean at any point to insinuate that a lot of blogs are poor and every blog should be brilliant, I mean those in glass houses etc… nobody’s perfect. I do appreciate that it takes allsorts.

    Matt: Well, dial-up eh? You deserve commendation for merely downloading an mp3, utmost patience! But, often people (read: bloggers) are served with “cease and desist” orders. A popular blog was served with one from people representing the artist known as Justin Timberlake, just the other day. Basically he just took down all the mp3s – otherwise I guess legal action would’ve ensued. Thanks for leaving a comment. :-)

    kez: Ah don’t feel guilty for using Hype Machine! I use it and my blog is registered there! I was really just using that site as an example of how traffic filters to blogs that post up mp3s the masses are hunting for.

  • http://www.musiclikedirt.com/ neil

    For a while my blog was basically visited for Lily Allen and little else. The fact that I took a few decent pictures at a early Lily gig,, and posted a feast of links meant that even now 50% of my visits are for Lily related material.

    I personally have about 80 music blogs bookmarked and can sometimes just trawl though them all looking for mp3′s and not reading a word. At the same time ive seen some of the more eloquent and interesting bloggers give up due to the realisation that most people dont read a word they say. There are a few blogs that I take the time to read (yours being one), but I am under no illusions that most are just there for the mp3′s. Also increasingly if you post a good mp3 one of the of the many sites that just post links to mp3′s will grab it anyway. I used to write them grumpy emails asking why they just posted a direct link to my mp3, often without any credit or much effort, but ive given up of late. It is after all just an mp3 blog, its not “my” mp3 in first place, and its a bit rich for essentially a thief of mp3 (albeit one with good intentions) to moan to much when someone pilfers my bandwidth.

    Keep up the great work, it is hard when you realise most people dont give a monkeys what you write they just download and leave, but some people do read. Also at least for me I write the blog as much as a way of discovering music myself, and as a diary of gigs ive been to/ music thats shaped my life , that I can look back on. If people read it too then all the better/

  • http://www.musiclikedirt.com neil

    For a while my blog was basically visited for Lily Allen and little else. The fact that I took a few decent pictures at a early Lily gig,, and posted a feast of links meant that even now 50% of my visits are for Lily related material.

    I personally have about 80 music blogs bookmarked and can sometimes just trawl though them all looking for mp3′s and not reading a word. At the same time ive seen some of the more eloquent and interesting bloggers give up due to the realisation that most people dont read a word they say. There are a few blogs that I take the time to read (yours being one), but I am under no illusions that most are just there for the mp3′s. Also increasingly if you post a good mp3 one of the of the many sites that just post links to mp3′s will grab it anyway. I used to write them grumpy emails asking why they just posted a direct link to my mp3, often without any credit or much effort, but ive given up of late. It is after all just an mp3 blog, its not “my” mp3 in first place, and its a bit rich for essentially a thief of mp3 (albeit one with good intentions) to moan to much when someone pilfers my bandwidth.

    Keep up the great work, it is hard when you realise most people dont give a monkeys what you write they just download and leave, but some people do read. Also at least for me I write the blog as much as a way of discovering music myself, and as a diary of gigs ive been to/ music thats shaped my life , that I can look back on. If people read it too then all the better/

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Yup, I hear ya. I’m glad I’ve got this out of my system so early into writing my blog though. Now I know for sure that a lot of people don’t read what I write, but that no longer bothers me – like you said, it’s more as a diary of events for myself, plus it’s always there should anyone else want to read it. It’s all good.

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Yup, I hear ya. I’m glad I’ve got this out of my system so early into writing my blog though. Now I know for sure that a lot of people don’t read what I write, but that no longer bothers me – like you said, it’s more as a diary of events for myself, plus it’s always there should anyone else want to read it. It’s all good.

  • http://www.songsillinoismp3.blogspot.com/ craig

    i’m going to link to this on my blog – nice piece. at this point in writing my blog I’m trying to drive people away from it with great obscure music, that way anyone who stays will be a serious music fan not an obsessive hot song searcher

  • http://www.songsillinoismp3.blogspot.com craig

    i’m going to link to this on my blog – nice piece. at this point in writing my blog I’m trying to drive people away from it with great obscure music, that way anyone who stays will be a serious music fan not an obsessive hot song searcher

  • http://sluttyfringe.wordpress.com/ slutty fringe

    this is a good article – props jeej!

  • http://sluttyfringe.wordpress.com/ slutty fringe

    this is a good article – props jeej!

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    craig: Thanks, Craig. I’m not intentionally killing off my stats by posting up more obscure stuff, but I’m fully aware that it is happening. I just see it more as a by-product of my actions. We could all post up the JT mp3s if we wanted to. So, good on you.

    Tony (SF): Cheers mate. :-)

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    craig: Thanks, Craig. I’m not intentionally killing off my stats by posting up more obscure stuff, but I’m fully aware that it is happening. I just see it more as a by-product of my actions. We could all post up the JT mp3s if we wanted to. So, good on you.

    Tony (SF): Cheers mate. :-)

  • wildegirl

    Here goes, might as well make myself look like a right tit. I didn’t even know peope looked at blogs purely for the downloads…. Yours is the only one I read anyway, (and yes, I do read it!) The music is a bonus. And sometimes a fat juicy bonus at that, ta! Shame it fucks up my last.fm stats……………….. Joking!

    Cheers,and keep up the good work!

  • wildegirl

    Here goes, might as well make myself look like a right tit. I didn’t even know peope looked at blogs purely for the downloads…. Yours is the only one I read anyway, (and yes, I do read it!) The music is a bonus. And sometimes a fat juicy bonus at that, ta! Shame it fucks up my last.fm stats……………….. Joking!

    Cheers,and keep up the good work!

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Cheers mate. :-)

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Cheers mate. :-)

  • http://eitheror.wordpress.com/ Hugh

    I pretty much agree with everything here… I’m one of those atypical blog readers who actually does read the post, generally because the band’s one I haven’t heard of before. Probably because I’m a blogger, which brings me to this: when I posted some Bishop Allen MP3s, even ones that had been out for TWO YEARS, the simple fact that they were the most popular band on elbo.ws at the time meant that I got around 200 hits from it. That’s kind of why I try to avoid going to that site, so I don’t post some music I don’t like just so some random people will come in and take the music. Oh well, I guess I’ll get readin’ the rest of your stuff now.

  • http://eitheror.wordpress.com/ Hugh

    I pretty much agree with everything here… I’m one of those atypical blog readers who actually does read the post, generally because the band’s one I haven’t heard of before. Probably because I’m a blogger, which brings me to this: when I posted some Bishop Allen MP3s, even ones that had been out for TWO YEARS, the simple fact that they were the most popular band on elbo.ws at the time meant that I got around 200 hits from it. That’s kind of why I try to avoid going to that site, so I don’t post some music I don’t like just so some random people will come in and take the music. Oh well, I guess I’ll get readin’ the rest of your stuff now.

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    All I’d say is remember why you write a blog. If you write a blog to harness huge traffic, then screw the written content, post up the mp3s everyone ‘needs’ and push that stuff hard! Otherwise, stick to your guns and ignore the traffic – just do what you do. Thanks for the comment.

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    All I’d say is remember why you write a blog. If you write a blog to harness huge traffic, then screw the written content, post up the mp3s everyone ‘needs’ and push that stuff hard! Otherwise, stick to your guns and ignore the traffic – just do what you do. Thanks for the comment.

  • Pingback: Monday, Monday « >>just like music

  • http://aboutmakingmoney.wordpress.com/ aboutmakingmoney

    unfortunately it’s true most traffic are from the latest and popular video clip, emails and rumors. To just write a blog plain old diary sort of blog will take time to get lots of traffic but in speaking that if you are good at writing about rant and conterversy stuff it does attract lots of traffic.

  • http://aboutmakingmoney.wordpress.com/ aboutmakingmoney

    unfortunately it’s true most traffic are from the latest and popular video clip, emails and rumors. To just write a blog plain old diary sort of blog will take time to get lots of traffic but in speaking that if you are good at writing about rant and conterversy stuff it does attract lots of traffic.

  • Breeze

    jeej: beautiful writing in your blog.

    I’d like to start of by saying, be careful what you wish for! I say this because it lead me to this blog. Let me expIain. I had just awaken from a night’s sleep and immediately I did what I always do after I wake up, go number 1 and then check my emails. I went onto espn.com and came across a blog about football. I then started to think about blogging and it’s purpose on the web. I just started my own music company recently and I know that blogging is important to our success. So afer I read the football blog, I said to myself that I should find the most popular music blogs and figure out how this damn blogging thing works!! YES, I AM A ROOKIE TO THE GAME. Although I’ve read a number of blogs, this is my first post. Anywho, I googled “most popular music blogs” and after a few clicks, I ended up reading the post by jeej. Lo and behold, jeej is writing about how to start your own blog in the subject of music! Hallelujah!!!

    This is important to me because our company’s mission is to help music fans discover great music for free! This is our mission because music is our vehicle for infiltrating the minds of humans all over the world. You see, I’m one of those people that is angry with the direction that human kind is heading these days. There’s too much hatred, selfishness, and should i go on? I think you all get the point. I chose to start a music company because I have a passion for music and music can easily permeate cultural boundaries. Music heavily influences the human mind and that is ultimately our goal. Music will be the vehicle that helps us affect MEANINGFUL change.

    I’m posting this comment because I’m looking for some help. I need recommendations from anyone that is willing to take a moment to offer one about the best strategies for using blogs to help others discover music. jeej had mentioned that people usually frequent the blogs that house popular music and rarely do they travel to those that are relatively unknown. Any thoughts? Anyone, anyone? =)

    Also, we’ve been receiving demo submissions regularly and we love listening to all of them. But our team thinks that it would be a great idea to get more and more people involved with the process of weeding out the good music from the bad. So, we’d like to find anyone that loves listening to new music and wouldn’t mind being part of our recommendation team. * I can send detailed info on what would be asked of those on the team if you’re interested.* Having more people would help us find music that would ultimately be available for free download under a creative commons license on our site.

    And lastly, thanks to anyone that made time to read this post. Being that it was my first one, I’m anticipating someone will correct me in a number of areas. I really don’t know blog etiquette so help me out if I made any mistakes! But, after reading the other posts, it seems like everyone is cool like that and I really don’t have anything to worry about. Stay giggin everyone!! Peace

    P.S. how do you put music up for download in your blog?

  • Breeze

    jeej: beautiful writing in your blog.

    I’d like to start of by saying, be careful what you wish for! I say this because it lead me to this blog. Let me expIain. I had just awaken from a night’s sleep and immediately I did what I always do after I wake up, go number 1 and then check my emails. I went onto espn.com and came across a blog about football. I then started to think about blogging and it’s purpose on the web. I just started my own music company recently and I know that blogging is important to our success. So afer I read the football blog, I said to myself that I should find the most popular music blogs and figure out how this damn blogging thing works!! YES, I AM A ROOKIE TO THE GAME. Although I’ve read a number of blogs, this is my first post. Anywho, I googled “most popular music blogs” and after a few clicks, I ended up reading the post by jeej. Lo and behold, jeej is writing about how to start your own blog in the subject of music! Hallelujah!!!

    This is important to me because our company’s mission is to help music fans discover great music for free! This is our mission because music is our vehicle for infiltrating the minds of humans all over the world. You see, I’m one of those people that is angry with the direction that human kind is heading these days. There’s too much hatred, selfishness, and should i go on? I think you all get the point. I chose to start a music company because I have a passion for music and music can easily permeate cultural boundaries. Music heavily influences the human mind and that is ultimately our goal. Music will be the vehicle that helps us affect MEANINGFUL change.

    I’m posting this comment because I’m looking for some help. I need recommendations from anyone that is willing to take a moment to offer one about the best strategies for using blogs to help others discover music. jeej had mentioned that people usually frequent the blogs that house popular music and rarely do they travel to those that are relatively unknown. Any thoughts? Anyone, anyone? =)

    Also, we’ve been receiving demo submissions regularly and we love listening to all of them. But our team thinks that it would be a great idea to get more and more people involved with the process of weeding out the good music from the bad. So, we’d like to find anyone that loves listening to new music and wouldn’t mind being part of our recommendation team. * I can send detailed info on what would be asked of those on the team if you’re interested.* Having more people would help us find music that would ultimately be available for free download under a creative commons license on our site.

    And lastly, thanks to anyone that made time to read this post. Being that it was my first one, I’m anticipating someone will correct me in a number of areas. I really don’t know blog etiquette so help me out if I made any mistakes! But, after reading the other posts, it seems like everyone is cool like that and I really don’t have anything to worry about. Stay giggin everyone!! Peace

    P.S. how do you put music up for download in your blog?

  • http://businessgolf.wordpress.com/ businessgolf

    I’ve been blogging for eight months and agree with what you are saying. Thanks for the tips on elbow and hypemachine.

  • http://businessgolf.wordpress.com/ businessgolf

    I’ve been blogging for eight months and agree with what you are saying. Thanks for the tips on elbow and hypemachine.

  • http://www.affiliatemaster101.com/ Make Money

    This is very informative! Two thumbs up!

  • http://www.affiliatemaster101.com Make Money

    This is very informative! Two thumbs up!

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Breeze: I’ve emailed you.

    Scot (BG): No worries bout the tips, nice golf blog. :-)

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Breeze: I’ve emailed you.

    Scot (BG): No worries bout the tips, nice golf blog. :-)

  • Bilbob

    Hi, I wrote you a big long response, but I decided I’d just stick to the point: ‘youfailit’.com is THE most atrocious service on the Web. Please for the love of GOD spread the word as far and wide as possible that ezarchive.com is a fucking no-brainer here. The Wikipedia entry sums it up concisely: “YouSendIt has gained a measure of notoriety amongst Internet users for the tendency of its server to fail and become unreachable at long and inconvenient periods.” That and the “25 download limit” is the single most crackheaded thing evar. The Leader my ass! Otherwise, great blog and great job; keep it up. Was looking forward to this mysterious Creep. She’s Definitely running out again.

  • http://n/a Bilbob

    Hi, I wrote you a big long response, but I decided I’d just stick to the point: ‘youfailit’.com is THE most atrocious service on the Web. Please for the love of GOD spread the word as far and wide as possible that ezarchive.com is a fucking no-brainer here. The Wikipedia entry sums it up concisely: “YouSendIt has gained a measure of notoriety amongst Internet users for the tendency of its server to fail and become unreachable at long and inconvenient periods.” That and the “25 download limit” is the single most crackheaded thing evar. The Leader my ass! Otherwise, great blog and great job; keep it up. Was looking forward to this mysterious Creep. She’s Definitely running out again.

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Hey, Bilbob. I’ve never personally had problems with YouSendIt, and I’ve used it a lot, plus if you register with them (for free) your downloads actually last for 100 downloads and 7 days. The main reason I use YouSendIt is that I don’t have to monitor how long the downloads have been up myself – I am safe in the knowledge that as soon as the track has been downloaded 100 times or has been up for 7 days, it will expire. Not too keen on the thought of leaving someone’s material up for free download indefinitely.

    However… when I move this blog onto its own hosting (whenever that may be), I will need to use a file host that links directly to the .mp3 file so the little audio player will work properly on the actual blog entries. So at that point I will need to stop using YouSendIt anyway.

    p.s. there’s another cover of Creep on Monday’s blog entry! :-P

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Hey, Bilbob. I’ve never personally had problems with YouSendIt, and I’ve used it a lot, plus if you register with them (for free) your downloads actually last for 100 downloads and 7 days. The main reason I use YouSendIt is that I don’t have to monitor how long the downloads have been up myself – I am safe in the knowledge that as soon as the track has been downloaded 100 times or has been up for 7 days, it will expire. Not too keen on the thought of leaving someone’s material up for free download indefinitely.

    However… when I move this blog onto its own hosting (whenever that may be), I will need to use a file host that links directly to the .mp3 file so the little audio player will work properly on the actual blog entries. So at that point I will need to stop using YouSendIt anyway.

    p.s. there’s another cover of Creep on Monday’s blog entry! :-P

  • Alice

    I am one of those who came here via the Hype Machine for the Creep cover, and stayed to read the rest; that’s generally how I use music blogs, because while I am generally just searching for something specific, I also want to know what other people’s opinions are on it too. And sometimes I do end up looking through other entries if I like their style, so I’m not entirely cold-hearted towards music bloggers… :p

    Even so, I don’t think anyone should ever compromise their own views on music, or anything really, just for the sake of more hits. If you take the trouble to write about something, best make it something you really care about and enjoy writing about. Otherwise, what’s the point?

  • Alice

    I am one of those who came here via the Hype Machine for the Creep cover, and stayed to read the rest; that’s generally how I use music blogs, because while I am generally just searching for something specific, I also want to know what other people’s opinions are on it too. And sometimes I do end up looking through other entries if I like their style, so I’m not entirely cold-hearted towards music bloggers… :p

    Even so, I don’t think anyone should ever compromise their own views on music, or anything really, just for the sake of more hits. If you take the trouble to write about something, best make it something you really care about and enjoy writing about. Otherwise, what’s the point?

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Exactly, what is the point? More than likely just a grandiose case of over-inflated ego syndrome. People convincing themselves of their importance to the world through the medium of pirating sought after music. Although you must understand that those previous two sentences are an example (or thought) in the absolute bitter extreme!

    There’s plenty of good blogs out there, and it was never my intention to rant about the amount of poor blogs, if anything I was just stating more that the average ‘reader’ wont actually care much for the written content, just the free mp3s.

    Still, and rather ironically, this blog entry has been extremely popular – although that’s probably just cos of the mp3. At one point it was the second most popular track on Hype Machine! Oh the irony. :-P

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Exactly, what is the point? More than likely just a grandiose case of over-inflated ego syndrome. People convincing themselves of their importance to the world through the medium of pirating sought after music. Although you must understand that those previous two sentences are an example (or thought) in the absolute bitter extreme!

    There’s plenty of good blogs out there, and it was never my intention to rant about the amount of poor blogs, if anything I was just stating more that the average ‘reader’ wont actually care much for the written content, just the free mp3s.

    Still, and rather ironically, this blog entry has been extremely popular – although that’s probably just cos of the mp3. At one point it was the second most popular track on Hype Machine! Oh the irony. :-P

  • http://lynton.buzka.com/BeatsandPieces lynton

    hi jeej,
    “I came for the pie but stayed because of the service”.
    There’ll always be people looking for the quick fix of something sweet, but if you offer something more – whether that be lots of the same kind of stuff or a more rounded offering – you’ll get people coming back.
    Now this ain’t nothing new but I found your blog after a search for new Shadow trax so I was one of those people contributing to your early spike in hits. But your review was insightful and the posts that followed had a great selection of trax and comments. So I stuck around – >> just like music is now my number one music blog to visit everyday, ‘cos I know you are going to give me something more than a one liner before a JT or Paris (blech) mp3.

    Thanks for the insight and for keeping the faith jeej.

    PS. I’m in Perth, so seeing a quality blog that covers hip hop, electronica (that Floex track was a killer find), and indie rock with an Aus spin is great.

  • http://lynton.buzka.com/BeatsandPieces lynton

    hi jeej,
    “I came for the pie but stayed because of the service”.
    There’ll always be people looking for the quick fix of something sweet, but if you offer something more – whether that be lots of the same kind of stuff or a more rounded offering – you’ll get people coming back.
    Now this ain’t nothing new but I found your blog after a search for new Shadow trax so I was one of those people contributing to your early spike in hits. But your review was insightful and the posts that followed had a great selection of trax and comments. So I stuck around – >> just like music is now my number one music blog to visit everyday, ‘cos I know you are going to give me something more than a one liner before a JT or Paris (blech) mp3.

    Thanks for the insight and for keeping the faith jeej.

    PS. I’m in Perth, so seeing a quality blog that covers hip hop, electronica (that Floex track was a killer find), and indie rock with an Aus spin is great.

  • Pingback: Sum Otha Ish « Slutty Fringe

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Lynton: Thanks mate, I appreciate it. :-)

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Lynton: Thanks mate, I appreciate it. :-)

  • http://sluttyfringe.wordpress.com/ slutty fringe

    I would just like to add that this week my blog finally got listed on hype machine and this coincided with me posting a nice wonky remix riton has done of sexyback – which culminated in a huge upsurge in people visiting my site

    i’ve become a bit obsessed with hit stats as a result

    I think i need a few days away from the internet

    *potters off to check wordpress stats*

  • http://sluttyfringe.wordpress.com/ slutty fringe

    I would just like to add that this week my blog finally got listed on hype machine and this coincided with me posting a nice wonky remix riton has done of sexyback – which culminated in a huge upsurge in people visiting my site

    i’ve become a bit obsessed with hit stats as a result

    I think i need a few days away from the internet

    *potters off to check wordpress stats*

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Ha ha, success is a good thing man, just dont let it go to your head! I still keep an eye on my stats as it is good to know what’s going on, but I just wont let it be the main reason that I write a blog.

  • http://jeej.wordpress.com/ jeej

    Ha ha, success is a good thing man, just dont let it go to your head! I still keep an eye on my stats as it is good to know what’s going on, but I just wont let it be the main reason that I write a blog.

  • http://jetpilot.ferrouswheel.info/ JetPilot

    Love the writing and waht you say makes alot of sense. I find it funny looking at stats for my websites, often I get 50% of my hits from random things that are completely unrelated to what I usually talk about!

    Just recently I was trying to post my DJ mixes legit by checking with the artists first, big mistake it seems. They made me pull down two of my mixes :/ Still I’ll now know not to use their music while DJing!

  • http://jetpilot.ferrouswheel.info/ JetPilot

    Love the writing and waht you say makes alot of sense. I find it funny looking at stats for my websites, often I get 50% of my hits from random things that are completely unrelated to what I usually talk about!

    Just recently I was trying to post my DJ mixes legit by checking with the artists first, big mistake it seems. They made me pull down two of my mixes :/ Still I’ll now know not to use their music while DJing!

  • http://www.musicisfreenow.org/ césar

    So true. I think a bunch of blogs should get together and systematically link mp3s for the most popular tracks on hypemachine write fake opinions and link them to really obscure music. Creating hype machine chaos (or a least some unintentional genre hopping). Hopefully hype machine will start becoming more nuanced in the way they track blogs and buzz, so that it doesn’t feed the same boring buzz but allows more under the radar high quality posting to shine.

    thanks for the great post!

  • http://www.musicisfreenow.org césar

    So true. I think a bunch of blogs should get together and systematically link mp3s for the most popular tracks on hypemachine write fake opinions and link them to really obscure music. Creating hype machine chaos (or a least some unintentional genre hopping). Hopefully hype machine will start becoming more nuanced in the way they track blogs and buzz, so that it doesn’t feed the same boring buzz but allows more under the radar high quality posting to shine.

    thanks for the great post!

  • http://www.supernaturalthings.net/ Brooke

    jeej, I quite enjoyed your post and discovering your blog. :) cesar, I loves your idea. I’m in. Which is funny because I don’t think I’ve ever been to Hypemachine, but I know the phenomenon of which you speak. It’s a problem of the media in general, or perhaps of humans in general…

  • http://www.supernaturalthings.net Brooke

    jeej, I quite enjoyed your post and discovering your blog. :) cesar, I loves your idea. I’m in. Which is funny because I don’t think I’ve ever been to Hypemachine, but I know the phenomenon of which you speak. It’s a problem of the media in general, or perhaps of humans in general…

  • http://www.pixelfactor.org/ Eric

    wicked site and tune….where can i find this accapella again ?

    e

  • http://www.pixelfactor.org Eric

    wicked site and tune….where can i find this accapella again ?

    e

  • cooljay

    holy fuck

  • Billa-john

    good read! :)