The din of musicians and companies vying for attention at SXSW 2011 reminded me standing in NYC's Time Square enveloped in a mashup of humanity, honking taxis and blinking Jumbotrons. But several important and sometimes surprising messages did rise above the noise:
- The Disruption Has Just Started - The music industry is starting to move beyond the disruption of the digital age, but other industries from mobile to banking are still in the middle of it. What happens next with things like micropayments, smartphones, bandwidth will impact how music is discovered and consumed in ways that we can barely imagine.
- Collaborate Or Die—Whether you a music tech startup or a musician, you can't do it alone. Look to your left and right. These should probably be your new partners. Companies that don't embrace partnerships and collaboration won't be at SXSW next year
- Stars Still Matter—I'm not talking about the lines outside Duran Duran, but rather that sadly most people still care that Kayne uses your app, Timbaland produced your track and Esperanza Spalding is on the same record label.
- You Still Need To Update Your MySpace Page - Some very smart and informed people believe that MySpace will make comeback. One pointed to the fact the the major label—who own part of MySpace—have a vested interest in a resurgence.
- You're Fucked If You Can't Describe What You Do In 10 Words Or Less. (Shit, it took me 14 words to say that.)
