Music Evolution

In Configurable Culture, Aram's discusses how music regulation, new technology, etc. can lead to innovation. Although I agree with this argument, I believe that not enough emphasis is placed on an important component of the process--artists themselves. The issue really boils down to a question of whether musical evolution is demand based (change in consumer tastes) or supply based (change in new music produced). I am more on the side of the supply argument for two reasons. First, I don't believe that all consumers can change their tastes at the same time in the same direction, for artists to then respond and supply to. Second, I think people don't know what they are looking for, they merely react to whats available to them. For instance, I have found that I can like almost any genre of music that I am exposed to; the old adage of "let it grow on you".

But my main reason for this belief is based in historical examples. Consumers didn't all of a sudden decide that hip hop lyrics sound better through a voice synthesizer, instead T-pain started the trend and other artists like Snoop, Kanye, and Lil Wayne followed suit. Likewise, music fans weren't aware that they were in love with boy bands until the backstreet boys came out, and in an attempt to ride the wave, N'sync, 98 degrees, O-town followed suit. Again, I am in full agreement with Aram's analysis of changes in music over the decades. However, I believe every change requires a push and a pull, and the main pull stems from the precedents of major artists.