Episode #15: The Evolving Role of Music Videos

This week we’re revisiting the historical impact of musical videos by looking at the advent and evolution of MTV, and the explosion of YouTube as a format for music, and music videos. We kick off the hour with Courtney Smith, a former programmer for MTV and MTVU, who gives us a bird’s eye view of how videos were selected for air, and how her days with the station were different than the early days. From there we toggle over to Ed Vetri of Wind-Up Records, who explains the importance of music videos to his label’s growth, and the careers of bands like Evanescence and Creed. After that, we catch up with music video director, Alicia J. Rose, and talk to her about what’s changed since she got into the directing game a decade ago. Rounding out the hour is a discussion with Jack Conte, who’s band Pomplamoose has made videos a priority from the outset of their career, which eventually led him to develop the video subscription/patronage website Patreon.

GUESTS

Courtney Smith (MTV, Author “Record Collecting For Girls” )

Ed Vetri (Wind-Up Records)

Alicia J. Rose (Director/Producer)

Jack Conte (Pomplamoose, Patreon)

MUSIC

Buggles “Video Killed The Radio Star”

Buggles “On TV”

Blitzen Trapper “All Across This Land”

Pomplamoose “Lorde 2Pac Beck Mashup”