Mood Machine by Liz Pelly

Joel Goodman and Ron Bronson delve into Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Cost of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly. They discuss the book's exploration of Spotify's impact on the music industry, focusing on historical parallels, algorithmic control, and the creation of 'fake' artists.

The conversation includes personal reflections on the evolution of music consumption, streaming services, and the nostalgia of early music platforms and blog eras. Throughout, they emphasize the moral and existential implications of Spotify's practices for both artists and listeners.

Chapters

• 00:00 - Synopsis and Initial Impressions of 'Mood Machine'
• 00:36 - Historical Context and Surprising Elements
• 01:37 - Algorithmic Control and Fake Artists
• 02:34 - The Evolution of Music Streaming
• 04:40 - The Impact of Algorithmic Playlists
• 07:11 - The Role of Human Curation in Music Discovery
• 10:17 - The Decline of Music's Artistic Value
• 11:43 - The Dangers of Algorithmic Influence
• 14:03 - Nostalgia and the Value of Craft
• 26:35 - Supporting Artists in the Streaming Era
• 31:18 - Nostalgia and the Blog Era of Music
• 36:24 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Cost of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly. Buy on Bookshop.org