Ben Gilbert: The Music Mogul

“The internet has had a huge role in changing the landscape of the music industry, “ says, Ben Gilbert, who without a shadow of a doubt knows his trade. Tall, articulate and with a great deal of facial hair, the knowledge that he gained from 15 years of music journalism is ever apparent. With credentials stacked up that include Q and Select magazine, and time interviewing metal bad boy Marilyn Manson and Queen of the charts, Beyoncé, who “glittered like a diamond”; Gilbert definitely has the CV to wax lyrical about all things music. From latest hits, latest music trends and even Lady Gaga, the Yahoo Music blogger gives us a unplugged insight into the evolving music industry.

Starting his career in local newspaper, Essex boy Gilbert began writing when the world of Indie guitar music was underground and vinyl’s were still at their peak. He has witnessed first hand the extraordinary change from the Sony Walkman through to the Apple’s iPod that has lead to the convergence culture that we live in today.

As well as the change to the digital world we live in today, Gilbert also discusses how the mystique from artists has been lost. “In my day you didn’t know what Lily Allen was having for her breakfast,” laughed the music journo, when touching on the subject. The relationship between the music industry and the fans has diminished with the evolution from the digital. “The music industry is now getting payback for how it treated its fans 15 years ago,” he said, emphasising that he paid £17 for albums that weren’t worth it ‘back in the day’ whereas now, fans can download music in an instant without the need for the devotion he once had.

Things have definitely been shaken up in the world of music today, Gilbert being one of the writers overseeing this change, states:  “It’s difficult to argue with the innovation of the internet. The fact that you can be working out of your bedroom in Cornwall and still be a successful artist is exciting.”

– Ascene, Adele and Beth.