Spotify is the newest online, music streaming, social experience. Integrating LastFM into its service, one of the current leading music streaming services, Spotify has become extremely appealing to a general audience.

In the past, music streaming services have boomed and crashed. One major reason is due to the free trade of information, files, and music available to users on the internet. Maybe it is economic timing, or maybe Spotify has a genuinely intriguing service, but Spotify is a service that has hit a recent “Boom!”

With a business model that revolves around providing free music to anyone who downloads the software (Spotify makes it’s money through advertising), anyone can sign on and listen to their favorite artists. Plus, with the recent downfall of the popular Limewire file-share service, Spotify was there to swoop up the customers looking for a way to listen to free music.

I never realized until now how many people try to create music streaming software… It seems like anyone who knows how to be a software engineer tries to start a music streaming business…

For a monthly subscription of $4.99 or $9.99 (one service allowing for mobile streaming while the lesser only restricts advertising), Spotify seems to be a cheap alternative to iTunes’ .99 cents per song. But how are performing artists making their living if the music is free?

Advertisers who market through Spotify spend a pretty penny to do so. Popular brands, such as Coca Cola, spend a lot of money to advertise to their target market. In fact, some performers even invest in personal messages to fans and music listeners in the attempts of persuading them to check out a new album or single!

In addition to it all, integration with the Internet’s most popular social network (Yes, we’re referring to Facebook) has attracted tons of attention. I know that I for one LOVE the Spotify service and I hope it doesn’t bust anytime soon.

During the Christmas season, and the few weeks leading up to the “big day”, there are plenty of opportunities to see holiday music performed live. And if you can’t have a musical appreciation for the holiday classics, regardless of their arrangements, you may have zero appreciation for music!

I was able to make it to a holiday concert performed by the Elmwood Park High School Choirs; my choir of origin! It was great to enjoy a choir that I have grown with and to also revisit some old memories. More importantly, it was nice to be surrounded by good, live music. 

I haven’t sung since I graduated High School. And for anybody who has ever sung in an organized choir (or maybe something a little less formal, like a barbershop quartet) you know that there is no greater pleasure than becoming a part of a chord that rings with unmatched vibrance. Regardless of the dissonant harmony or perfect unison, being a part of a vocal arrangement is a rewarding experience.

Without an appreciation for music, regardless of genre, you can’t possibly enjoy yourself while listening. This Holiday season was the perfect opportunity for me to revisit my appreciation and remind me of my love.

Looking into ways to indulge my musical prowess was easy. Churches and communities host many different kinds of choirs and bands that have open auditions seasonally. However, my schedule does not permit me to spend time advancing my musical knowledge; though I still do love to see live performances.

Check out community listings monthly to see when your choirs and live music bands perform. I know my community has live performances every week over the summer, and occasional indoor performances in the winter. What kind of performances does your community have?

Grow your music appreciation today and discover new kinds of music and performing arts!

Musicals are an extremely cultural part of society that the large majority of the population misses out on. What many people don’t know is that you don’t have to go see a four hour community production of The Music Man (as performed by an amateur actor who actually makes his living as an accountant; true story…) to get a satisfying scoop of culture.

With Pop-Rock becoming one of the most popular genres, appealing mainly to our nation’s youth, it seems that traditional performance entertainment is going out of style. But no! This is where your assumptions are froze. Contemporary Alternative bands have made a large following based on their compositions of New Age Rock Operas.

Razia’s Shadow; by Forgive Durden

Razia’s Shadow is a story of two men, set a hundred years apart. It describes two love stories and how each love affects each man differently. The actions of one affect the actions of everyone; and those actions can have devastating results. 

Written by Forgive Durden, lead role performed by lead vocalist Thomas Dutton, Razia’s Shadow is performed with other lead vocalists of bands signed by Fueled by Ramen, such as Panic! at the Disco’s Brendon Urie.

Broken Bride; By Ludo

Broken Bride is the brokenhearted story of a man who has lost his wife. After trying for years to get back to that fateful “Morning in May”, our main character is thrust back in time. After running through pterodactyl infested jungles trying to repair the broken time-machine, our hero manages to be sent forward in time into a post-apacalyptic, zombie wasteland. Broken Bride is an abstract story with abstract lyrics, just like some of Ludo’s greatest hits.

Musicals aren’t dead, contrary to popular belief. And it is excellent that our new generation of music is developing an appreciation for this artistic method of storytelling.

On November 7th, Adele, Pop Artist/Vocal Performer, received surgery for a hemorrhaging vocal chord. Though it is reported that Adele is doing well at the moment, the status of her health is not the only thing that’s been injured. However, despite having to cancel numerous tour dates remaining in her 2011 schedule, Adele’s fans have been very understanding. As far as her ongoing health goes, Adele will surely have to see more than just an occupational therapy assistant for a full recovery in her health.

As mentioned on Adele’s personal blog, the performing artist is left speechless (despite finally being able to speak again, after day’s of recovery). “Thank you so much to the Academy for nominating this record for 6 Grammy’s!”, referring to her nominations for her newest album “21”. Despite not being able to perform currently , her success in 2011, as a whole, was groundbreaking. What the future holds for Adele, we don’t know. One thing is for sure: we hope that this isn’t it for her; we hope that her success has not hit its plateau.

For, In the words of Adele herself, “A Grammy is like an Oscar, you get an Oscar when you’ve given the performance of your life. I hope this isn’t the performance of my life.”