Walzer/The Handbook on Music Business and Creative Industries in Education, 6. Songwriting, Visuality and Technological Determinism: Exploring Artistic Responses to Perceived Negative Effects of Streaming on Songwriting and Production

In his critical examination of song writing, Hussein Boon argues that modern technology and visual media affect how practitioners write music and how popular music educators might address such tensions in their teaching. In Boon’s view, technological determinism and song writing are inextricably linked; crafting songs with and through technology opens possibilities to advance the craft. Moreover, as Boon suggests, creative practice is equally shaped by visuality, namely, how artists communicate beyond music and sound. Through his analysis of music videos and industry case studies, Boon leads us to a better understanding of the interwoven politics of the music industry, artist creativity, and technology. Boon concludes by cautioning educators to guide students to balance creativity with meeting market demand and to view the craft of song writing across multiple domains: creative, technological, and business.