New Media Pioneer: Stephen Webb of We Are Radio

http://weareradio.com/

The Official Station of South Carolina Rock & Roll

Q:  How long have you been broadcasting?

A: WeAreRadio.com  came alive April 1st of this last year. So we’re going to have a combination Birthday and April Fool’s Party every year.

Q:  In your opinion, what does a good song need to consist of?

A: The best song, in my opinion, seems like several songs in one. The Beatles and Paul McCartney and Wings were masters of this; Queen with “Bohemian Rhapsody”; Boston with “Long Time”.

These are standout songs. The multi-part effect tends to take someone on a short little journey every time they get to listen to the song.

Q: What is your favorite band or favorite genre of music and why?

A: Shoot me, but the more you digest the albums of Seal (including his many EP’s, Maxi-cd’s, and import versions) the more you realize the complex genius in the arrangements and the countless layers of sound involved. One top 40 hit like “Kiss From A Rose” can ruin many people’s ability to see the depth to his work. Kind of a Catch 22.

Q: What changes in content laws, broadcasting rights, etc. have effected you most?

A: I decided, right off the bat, that I would register as a professional station and pay my royalties. There are too many people that took advantage of the loopholes in digital music early on and gave our media (internet radio) a skeptical glance from many. I believe, that at the end of the day, we are radio (no pun intended) and we should jump through the same hoops as terrestrial radio when it comes to the rights to broadcast the work of recording artists. I’m sorry, but right is right and wrong is wrong.

Q: A recent study found blogs to be more effective than MySpace in generating album sales, do you feel that that is a true statement?

A: Yes, I feel it is a true statement. MySpace has proven to be a priceless tool for recording artists and their mission to deliver their sound to the world. A bevy of promotional tools are there for the artists and there for free. But MySpace lacks the ability to speak as directly to a music fan like a blog or website so heartily can do.
WeAreRadio.com has used this concept in a 2 prong approach: The site is handed to the viewer in the form of WeAreRadio Magazine with play / launch buttons for WeAreRadio, the internet radio station, available immediately upon entering the site. So, a true multi-media experience begins all based around the music we promote, increasing connection to the music and generating album sales.