Tunes

Listening to Mama Said Knock You Out LL Cool J

These are some of the finest rhymes ever ... Everyone is due a second chance after all.

Startup

The Four things PayPal did that changed startups

If you're not familiar with the lore behind the founding of PayPal, here's a primer on how the PayPal Mafia redefined success in Silicon Valley.

Tunes

Listening to It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back Public Enemy

Growing up in a very white Australia, Public Enemy had a huge impact on my world view. Thx Chuck D.

Creativity

So the Apple / Beats deal was all about culture and creativity?

Great panel at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity featuring Kanye West, Ben Horowitz and Steve Stoute discussing creativity and culture.

Business

Quick thoughts on the Apple and Beats deal [update]

Only two reasons I can see for Apple wanting to aquire Beats: Jimmy Iovine & Dre. The subscription deals Iovine did with the labels.

Technology

Why I hope Uber crushes the Aussie taxi business

A recent trip to Australia is why I support Uber in breaking the monopolistic taxi industry. Here's my experience.

Tunes

Listening to Since I Left You by The Avalanches

The greatest Australian album of all time? You've gotta listen to the entire recording — no cherry-pickin' songs. DJ Dexter is pure genius.

Music Business

The truth about doing business with the music business

Turntable.fm recently pivoted to some sort of live event platform for musicians. Here's what to expect when doing business with the music business.

Creativity

Aningaaq, the other side of Gravity

At the end of the film Gravity, Sandra Bullock's character communicates with a person on Earth. Here's the other side of that conversation.

Music Business

Does file-sharing account for less than 10% of US net traffic?

Digital Music News ran a story this week suggesting that because "file-sharing now accounts for less than 10% of US internet traffic ... file-sharing volumes are also plunging." But does it?

Business

Is writing down lyrics ripping off an artist?

The rights industries are better equipped to deal with fair use exploits, scholarly research and other similar defenses for monetizing copyright works. Is Rap Genius immune?

Business

Are app devs now facing the musician's dilemma?

For more than 15 years I made a living in the copyright industries. A great frustrated is listening to those who complain that a $10 ebook costs too much, or that a 99 cent song is too expensive, while simultaneously burning $100 on a boozy night out.

About Granular Objects

What exactly happened to Granular Objects?

Tunes

Listening to Monsters OST by Jon Hopkins

I. Love. This. Record. Good movie too, with a narrative about alienation, foreigners and building walls to keep them out.

Tunes

Listening to Acoustic Reflections by Steven Price

Ambient, spacy chill for late night coding or relaxation. You may know Steven Price's work as composer of film scores for Gravity, Aningaaq and many others.

Tunes

Listening to The Fat of the Land by The Prodigy

One of the best ‘big beat’ records of the era that 15+ years after release still sounds incredible. A flawless recording.

Startup

A Startup World

Cool infographic of the 20 hottest startup scenes around the world. Check out where your city ranks.

Marketing

Banksy and his special place for Advertisers

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

Tunes

Listening to Random Access Memories by Daft Punk

Beach cocktails anyone?

Technology

Adobe drops ownership for access model subscription

Adobe is killing off its Creative Suite as it moves to the cloud. The future is here and the naysayers are wrong.

An app for developing an app business

There is now an App for developing an App business—it’s not a bubble. It’s. Not. A. Bubble.

Music Business

The music biz doesn't have a technology problem

The music business needs to re-write their business models in a world without borders.

Music Business

Ticketing just got really interesting #AB329

The concert ticketing is broken for consumers. Does Tickermaster really want to give consumers a "better chance"?

Bill Gates feels sorry for Peter Thiel

I feel sorry for Peter Thiel. Did he really want flying cars? Flying cars are not a very efficient way to move things from one point to another. On the other hand, 20 years ago we had the idea that information could become available at your fingertips.

Tunes

Listening to Inspiration Information by Shuggie Otis

Wow! Seriously funky soul from 1974. Shuggie Otis is currently on tour.