I have two passions in life, music and social network marketing. Well, three if you count the Houston Astros. What I love most about music is that it is the ultimate social network. Have you ever sat back at a show with 65,000 people there and wondered why each of those people came? At the end of the day, it is because they all connect with the music on one level or another. And that is an amazing, powerful tool that should be harnessed in any way possible. Thankfully all of the tools are at our virtual fingertips, just waiting to be implemented. So why are so many people afraid to use them? Do they just not know? Are they so old school that they want to see a ROI attached to every single piece of marketing they do? Are they not willing to relenquish the control of things to the fans, where it belongs in the first place? Do we all feel the need to monetize every single aspect of music instead of letting it be what it is, a social experience? I dunno. (But if you have the answer, let me know.)

Here's one thing I do know. The people want to be involved. And the more control you give them, the more devoted they become. Case in point? I love the Icelandic band Sigur Ros. Love. Serious amounts of love. Like will openly weep at their shows love. They've got a new record coming out at the end of the month, and have built a widget that is streaming the whole record, as well as being embedable by fans across web platforms. See what happens when you aren't scared and embrace new media? People like me spread your music. And now you've heard it.