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September 18, 2007
It's an idea Pandora founder Tim Westergren thinks about a lot.
Between 100 town hall meetings and several sessions for seniors at this year's AARP conference, Westergen has been campaigning for more Internet radio listeners for both Pandora and musicians in general.
Pandora uses the Music Genome Project, a tool that compares musical genetic codes of songs, to create personalized radio stations. You tell it what you like; Pandora plays those artists and others that have songs with similar musical qualities. With music from both big record labels and independent artists, listeners get more selection and increased knowledge about music.
Despite a much-publicized standoff with organizations like the Recording Industry Association of America over royalty rates, Westergren (also Pandora's chief strategy officer) says Internet radio will actually bridge the gap between the pop superstar and the working-poor musician. He says it may even create a new consultant and services business model for record labels.
The new champion of Internet radio sat down with CNET News.com to give the latest scoop behind the royalty rate negotiations and the music industry's crumbling three-legged stool.
Q: You had an unusual launch with Pandora. Explain that.
Westergren: We started off by just making it available to friends and families to just give it a trial run. Not long after, these "friends and family" wound up spiraling to around 5,000 or so within a few weeks. That was a first sign that we had something people were interested in.
We wound up launching it in October, but as a paid service for three bucks a month...We were able to get people to sign for 10 hours of the intro Pandora for free, but few people were actually registering.
People would use 10 hours for free and then delete the cookies?
Westergren: Exactly. After 10 hours they would log off, delete the cookies and then log back on and refresh their profiles so we don't recognize them. We made a dent and people were using it a lot, but they didn't want to pay for it...So we went free in November '05...I think we had 250,000 people come to Pandora.
In one week?
Westergren: In one day. The day after we launched I think probably we had that many. In the first week we were adding I think 50,000 or 60,000 new listeners a day. That lasted for a few weeks and then it went down a little bit and then a steady rise ever since.
You used to compose music for movies. Explain how that process has trickled into Pandora.
Westergren: When you're a composer your job is to figure out someone else's musical taste, to pick up the director's musical taste. I call it a musical Meyers-Briggs test...You kind of home in on what they like and you're trying to translate their feedback into musicological information you can use to create a new composition. So the genome was really born of that process.
Originally you were called Savage Beast and sold the Music Genome Project engine as a service?
Westergren: We would license access to our tool, so people could use it to make recommendations on their respective Web sites. You know, 'If you like this song, you will like this.' Then we very, very briefly thought about being an online musical retail site, but we never raised enough money to make that mistake.
Is it true you made 348 pitches before you got $1.5 million in initial funding?
Westergren: Yes, in March of 2000. Then in March 2004 we got $8
million...$12 million in '05...and we did another round the following year, but haven't disclosed that figure yet.
But you're still not making money from Pandora?
Westergren: We're losing an armful of money every month right now. But that's not a surprise to us.
You're probably the only executive I know of who travels cross-country holding town meetings about your product. Explain how this practice got started.
Westergren: My original plan was to just go looking for music. I was going to get into a van and really just drive a lot.
Literally a van?
Westergren: Yeah. I actually had a van. I was going to get a trunk in the back and fill it with CDs as I went. Just literally collect them and then actually mail them back to Pandora. That's how I started...That was 2006, I think it was March, for South by Southwest, the music conference in Austin, Texas.
How did that go?
Westergren: I spent about two weeks on the road in my first stint. I originally thought I was going to go longer, but...I'd have these long days of meetings and then get back to my hotel room and have like 400 e-mails so...I go now in four-day stints generally.
The first one just two people came, but I just kept doing them and they grew. I wanted some kind of a forum where people could actually talk, if they'd come to talk to me, and so we developed this town meeting format.
Music is something that really is such a sort of personal and important thing that people are willing to do something, you know? They want to come, they have something to say about it and they are welcoming the opportunity to tell the company founder what they really think.
See more CNET content tagged:
Tim Westergren,
musician,
Internet radio,
radio,
song
and artists while listening. It definitely helps drive song and album
sales - believe me!
Currently, there are quick links to purchase playing tracks from
Amazon or the iTunes store within their web-based player, but I
really wish Apple would integrate this technology into the iTunes
player itself. I know a lot of music freaks like myself that would
probably end up purchasing even more music regularly. I'm also sure
Apple would find a way to build upon the Pandora technology
making it even more robust.
If you have not yet tried Pandora - Do! It's amazing how it
recommends new music based on music you already know.
"We are deeply, deeply sorry to say that due to licensing constraints, we can no longer allow access to Pandora for most listeners located outside of the U.S. We will continue to work diligently to realize the vision of a truly global Pandora, but for the time being we are required to restrict its use. We are very sad to have to do this, but there is no other alternative."
It doesn't try to alienate it's customers like Yahoo! does by going to bed with Microsoft (and Yahoo! wonders why Google is eating their supper!?!)!
I've already picked out a number of albums I'm going to look at picking up from what has come up from my stations.
Thanks for your reply for in communication we can enlighten each other. Remember even though I am first ((1952) you were sent first. That is why you are given the music box that rules
the feet. The first leader of Democracy is George Washington, who is born 22nd of February (Pisces) that rules the (feet)
The first leader of the Republic (English subject) in Jamaica is Sir Alexander Bustamante (JLP) born 24th of February (Pisces) this is also my birthday. I was born 2 Timothy, for I was given
resurrected life, the Pan-do-Ra box of the Spirit (Revelation Chap 9:1-10) Ra is the Egyptian Sun God, the day that I was born (Sunday)
Tim your testamony is strong, for you did that which Christ was about Freedom (Psalms 24) To make the music free is a great effort but as you can see it will be hard to find strength to
uphold what you do. Remember Christ the strength was crucified.
And if you do find those who will help you, you are put in the possision to compramise what you do. Money somehow have to become a part of good intension. That is why I say I was
given the power to resurrect because of my testamony (Isaiah Chap 53)
My testamony could make the best box office documentary or movie of the New Millennium anyway thats not my mission. It is humble of you to want to apologize to me personally for
profanity, but you see my brother I am only a spkesman for the Truth. It is the Truth that we all owe our apology. This is why I am bowed down as the picture I sent you of those that are
called Saints in flesh most of them found in India. (Rev.14:4). They are the older brother of Rastafarians who are called the Prodigal Son.
Unles the Goverenment of America is born from the people that is of the Arts the Earth is at the point of total destruction and thats is as real as I say it. The People right now would prefer
to listen to American Idol (even though the commandment says man should not bow down to any Idol) than to listen to Politicians talk about what they are going to do to change things.
I am sent through the music to speak to the depth of mans concience.
Daniel the Prophet saw all the World Empires that would rule the Earth through the (Idol) that the King built to honour Prostitution. She used power that her husband (Nebuchadnezzar)
"England" gave her (Daniel Chap 2) to bring him down (Liberty) America (Daniel Chap 4)
Paul told Timothy that in a race there are mant that run, but only one can recieve the prize. He said to win make sure you are running "Lawfully" thats whats its about.
There is a three way race that is in front of us as to who will be the next Emperor to rule over the World. But if you are given 3D vission you will see that it is Gloom and Doom that lies
ahead. It is the time of the Great intervention for the Elect sake.
Let me shed a little light into what I say, There is McCain the Republician, then there is the divided house of the Democrats Obama and Hillary. Whatever direction you go in this trinity
(also the name of Obama Church) they add up only to distruction.
Cain invented the first weapon of death that he used to kill his brother Abel, and instead of getting rid of his sin he studied how to make it more distructive, now he is able to wipe out the
entire Earth (Bomb) and this is what he made his slave to become (O-bomb-A) Stevie Wonder in his darkness was able to say "Heaven Help The Roses If The Bomb Begins To Fall" which
becomes (Hell-ary) fire that is hanging over the World. (Revelation Chap 17) The half slave first name is in harmony with the dwelling of soldiers "Barrack" Obama.
Prostitution has been since the dawn of time, from the Garden of Eden where Eve was tempted. It has brought down all man.
The great Nebuchadnezzar who made the prostitute, David who took his general wife (Bathsheba) Soloman who was the wisest man but never know the secrets of the woman. She sleeps
with the dumb, blind, and deff even the cripple just as long as she is rewarded.
The Governor of the City who is amongst those that call themselves "Emperor and Caesar" is not condemned by the sin itself. It is the fact that he thought he was above being seen, that
he would symbolically choose a slave who is blind to be his right hand man. The people that are driven into darkness. Those that sit in the seat of God, meaning, those who take it upon
themselves to make the laws and become the punishers of those who break the law, and is themselves guilty of breaking it cannot escape judgement.
Insight. The Hotel of Prostitution where the Governor went is called the Mayflower which takes us back to the birth of Rome in the West. The Mayflower carried the Pilgrims (Puritans) to
these shores. There is also a saying "April showers bring May-flower. Flowers bloom in May, which is the Caesar of the City, May-or Bloom-berg. These Caesars pride is so titanic, they
had to be humbled by an Ice-berg.
These are the ones that spit at their Creator (Spit-zer) They are the ones who was about to condemn another woman to death. This woman found refuge with Christ who wrote on the
ground (Earth-link) "He who is without sin let them cast the first stone. To Spit-zer and his lawmakers there is a saying if you spit in the Sky it will fall in your eye. Why would you
condemn the woman who is turned out by society, but then, when it is done by she who have no need to be a prostitute, you call it "Celebrity Life Style" (Holly-weird) Why for it is done
amongst the rich.
What I say to you will not be taught by the Church, for this is called spiritual insight that takes on realistic outlook. To speak of Astrology or Numerology to the Minister will tell you it is
of the Devil. As Paul the Apostle says "these are those who condenm the things that they don't understand". For the 4th Book of the Old Tewstament is called Numbers, and those that
were considered Wise Men were Astrologers.
The Governor became number 9 upside down it is 6. Also he was the 54 Governor which is 5+4=9. The hotel room number is 871 which is 8+7+1=16=1+6=7 This is one of the most
spiritual number in the Bible representing Good and Evil.
Revelation Chap 17 says, come I will show you the punishment given to the Great Prostitute the one with the 7 heads. The only Emperor that is known in modern times is the one that
Rastafarians follow "Emperor Hail Selassie of Ethiopia. Historically they too was caught in the Emperors Club of the Prostitute.
Insight. The 7th Book of the Old Testament is Judges from which the word judgement comes. It is in this book that you will read of the history of one who was twice caught in the bed of
the prostitute, "Samson" who lost his 7 Lox and his eyes. (Governor Paterson)
Like everyone else even Rastas (who is known as Nazarites) fell under her spell, not by the word Hate but Love. I have learnt to respect Hate over Love. (I will speak on this subject another
time) Let me bring what I say to a fine point without any jive talk, The Governor took the undercover name Fox. Samson when his first wife betrayed him with the riddle he caught 300
foxes and set their tail on fire and burnt down the Philistines fields. (Judges 15:1-5) The numerical number for fox is F=6, O=15=1+5=6, X=24=2+4=6 (666)
The new Mayor is only a clone of the master for slaves became the first clone not of the Creator but of his master. The slave are the ones with the authority to free the whole World. But
how can the blind change anything when he cannot even free his or her own self from the sin of slavery that they are in. First of all they tell themselves that they are no not slaves
anymore, and doesn't want to hear of their own deprived behavior. Why would a slave want to be in his masters house which is sin instead of the house of change (the Creator). What
water can he bring to a people that is dying of thirst. It is only a fool that would put new wine in old wine skin for it to burst and the wine go to waist.
The Government of the New will govern from the New (Revelation Chap 21) The New Jahrusalem given to the government of Daniels dream "The Stone" (Daniel 2:34) This is the
Government born of the Arts.
Insight Do you know that the motto of Arkansas where Hillary Clinton is from is "The People Rule" that is where I choose to live, amongst the People "Astoria Houses" Arkansas Seal has
Liberty on it, also "The Angel without Mercy", the "Sword of Injustice" There is also the Beehive which became the riddle in the betrayal of Samson! ( Judges 14:17-18)
Christ taught the People to Pray "Thy Kingdom Come Thy Will Be Done On Earth As It Is In Creation"
Jahrusalem will not come from out of the Sky like the sky gazers (Church) believe. It is the skilled men of the Creator that will build it. Rmove the City of Sin and Prostitution Old York City
and replace it with the New Jahrusalem.
Insight Rastafarians are of the House of King Babylon (England) whose wife (Liberty) took the Kingdom in the Revolutionary War (America) and made it a Queendom. That is why the
English General Cornwallis in his surrender to General Washington in York Town Virginia had his band played a song titled "The World Turned Upside Down" The confusion of the World is
the peopleare walking on their heads. So as to get rid of the headache the Earth has to be put back in propper orbit when the feet respect its own authority likewise the head.
Christ himself said "If the blind is made to lead the blind, both will fall in the pit of destruction and those words have become revelation. But the Prophet Isaiah also said "The people that
walked in darkness have seen a great light" Governor Pat-erson was sworn in on Saint Pat-ricks Day!
Here are some good Albums. Stevie Wonder "Fulfillingness First Finale" Peter Tosh "Mystic Man" Bunny Wailer "Protest" Lucky Dube "Serious Reggae Business" Burning Spear "Man In The
Hills, Marvin Gaye "Whats Going On" Bob Marley "Kaya" Culture "Strickly Culture" Trojan "Funky Kingston, Ras Michael "Nyahbinghi"
So far I have spent more time writing than listening to music thats because it is my first work. I would like to make my own mix and send it to you, for as I said I was also a DJ. If you can't
find some of the music that I recomend I can make copies and mail to you.
One Love is the Exodus
Timothy, Spirit of Truth.