"The internet has transformed what it means to be a music fan. Fans can and do build communities more rapidly and successfully now than ever before, with consequences not just for their own experience of music, but for everyone involved in the creation, distribution and promotion of music in any capacity. They’re making a new kind of music scene that transcends place and shakes up long-standing balances of power between fans and the music makers. Though it gets all the attention, downloading is just one piece of this. I want to focus on the pieces that don’t get discussed as often. My goal today is to provide a big picture perspective on how it is that the internet has empowered fans in this way, what relational consequences this has, and offer some suggestions on how to foster relationships with fan communities from which everyone can benefit." Read on (PDF)

• the author's homepage
  
• via www.coolfer.com