08.30
I want to start a music service where there are no recommendations based on my prior buying habits. I want a store that acts like a chat room for music lovers, where the best recommendations come from record store employee freaks who haven’t seen the sun in 25 years, and still believe the CD vs LP debate hasn’t been settled.
I want to browse through stuff alphabetically in 5 categories (rock, oldies, dance, movies, other) and have a chance and finding something totally outside of my usual comfort zone just because I think the album cover looks kind of nifty.
I don’t care if they have everything the beetles ever put out. I don’t care if they have streaming licenses with xyz inspiration killing music company. I want to find something totally new, totally alien and totally wonderful just by flipping through the stock to see what I uncover.
Oh, and have a stream of music playing that I cannot control. Let me accidentally hear something while I am browsing that makes my ears perk up and track down a clerk to find out what it is (make me have to ask). If enough people ask, play more on the stream (but everyone on the site hears the same stream. THIS IS IMPORTANT).
Make a true to life virtual record store. Its technically possible. I think this could blow up some kids mind in ways Amazon and iTunes just can’t even fathom. I know it did mine.
TESTIFY!!
I love the idea of this, and I won’t throw (too much) cold water on it by going on and on about how it won’t happen because it doesn’t maximize ROI for the service provider, etc. Because the truth is, I don’t even believe that: the executives who run those sites don’t really know what will work any better than the rest of us; they just cling to what’s worked in the past.
Also, I never thought the day would come when I’d see you advocate for vinyl.