Time has passed and 2000000000 remixes of the last ninja, comic bakery, sanxion et al later im now not so excited about it as i used to be unless certain artists are involved and they become "must" downloads just because I have grown set in my way's I have become a fan of the artist more so than the music itself if that makes sense to you, it really doesnt matter what the tune is the artists previous efforts make it imperative to me to go and download. The "marking" system doesn't effect my choice either the tune could be a googly green but if i am a fan of that artist i'll download anyway.. so to me I guess the scene has become more about the artists within it rather than the sid they choose.
So Im wondering IF the scene is still about in 10 years time (and I hope it is, its certainly outlasted many peoples expectations and the constant influx of young and fresh talent is constantly breathing life into it at a steady rate) just what the focus will be on by then. The cd market has by chris's admission pretty much died a death, though there are some that still want "physical" copies its certainly outweighed by the digital distribution this of course is just how ALL music is going right now and chris should be applauded for not being slow on the uptake and keeping that part of this happy little corner alive. There are though less and less people seemingly willing to put time aside to write albums or think up concepts, thats not to say that what HAS come out isn't fantastic though and well worth getting im just thinking there isn't nearly as much as there used to be and im wondering why, when digital distribution is incredibly cost effective for both artist and label, maybe chris can shed some light on this? are the artists just not forthcoming anymore? or maybe I have it wrong and its just NOT as cost effective as it is in the I guess "mainstream" markets.
So right now it looks to me that the radio side of things is still very much the life blood and the inclusion of other stations like scene sat etc really has broadened the appeal this coupled with the odd bit of publicity thanks to people like timberland that highlights the demo scene and brings people who otherwise would never have bothered to type in c64 unless they fell asleep on the keyboard and inadvertently banged it out with their forehead and nose to these very pages helps no end.
Course one thing I have noticed is that alot of artists are now just cutting their teeth here and then moving onto bigger and better things, like a sort of staging ground which is good for the music scene in general and I guess also to some point to this scene aswell as fans of commercial success's go looking for back catalogue stuff and then find US lurking with wry little smiles on our faces.. think you've heard everything do you?.. come have a listen to .... THIS!.
Some of them abandon this and only really come back now and then for the nostalgia or like me to follow artists they have grown to love/talk to friends they have made or generally just make a nuisance of themselves in the nicest possible way of course.. I guess what im trying to say is that I see this place still being around in 10 years time.. but the music won't be the draw like it was when it 1st started, it'll be the artists, the people, the banter and yeah its quiet, sometimes nothing happens or is said for day's on end but we are a friendly bunch we rarely shun new people you are made to feel at home within the folds of who have seen it, done it, worn the t-shirt (in some cases literally) and still awaiting the next big gathering.. to get pissed up, eat something swedish and laze about in the mid day sun.
.. discuss
indeed. 
