From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

"So, your visit today is purely as a friend?"

Simple, direct, and to the point.

But unlike Edgar and Lucas, Anson's eyes and the corners of his mouth always held a smile, his openness and straightforwardness without any sense of offense.

Matt was slightly taken aback, and then realized that now was not the time to continue beating around the bush.

Last night was the Grammy Awards ceremony, and this morning he rushed to William Morris Agency to intercept Edgar, and then visited Anson—

The key was one word: fast.

Now, with Anson right in front of him, he shouldn't stand here foolishly sighing.

"No, it's not," Matt said, showing his sophistication, quickly switching states.

Anson slightly raised his chin, revealing a knowing look, and made an inviting gesture, "Please, sit down."

Matt sat down, no longer hiding anything, "Last night's performance was wonderful, the entire concept was amazing, completely different from other performances."

Anson, "Ha, that was the purpose, and now it seems the effect was achieved."

Matt, "Of course. To an outsider like me, it's like opening the door to a whole new world. Although I can't say any professional terms, I just simply like it. Those melodies keep swirling in my head."

"I've always liked 'Wake Me Up' the most, but I didn't expect that last night, the first song kept echoing in my head…"

Matt looked at Anson.

Anson, "'Another Light'."

Matt, "Ah, 'Another Light'." He savored it, and couldn't help but sigh, "So that's what it's called."

Anson, "It seems you're also someone with a story."

Matt was puzzled.

Anson, "Ordinary people tend to be impressed by drumbeats and rhythms, especially on a festive stage like the Grammys; but those with stories often can't forget the emotional impact that awakens their memories."

"So, either you're someone with a story, or…"

He didn't continue, Anson cut off the conversation with a smile.

Matt immediately reacted, Anson was clearly trying to trick him, and the point was, he didn't even realize he had fallen into the trap, even though he was the one who started digging the hole in the first place.

Sure enough, someone who could frustrate Sony Columbia wasn't simple.

Matt smiled generously, following Anson's words and jumping into the trap, "Yes, that's right. I'm curious when the band plans to release this single? What do you think about us releasing this single?"

No longer beating around the bush, he tore off the veil of mystery.

Where did this idea come from?

Edgar and Lucas exchanged glances, neither of them concealing their surprise, thoughts surging rapidly between them.

Anson also didn't expect such a turn, his eyebrows raised slightly, and he chuckled, "So, is Apple preparing to officially enter the music distribution business and compete with Warner Music?"

August 31st Band had already disbanded and parted ways with Warner Music, but this was still a secret, and there was no need to reveal their cards immediately.

Matt waved his hand gently, "No, no, no, we don't have that kind of ability or ambition yet, and it's not our company's business direction."

"Cooperation. It should be cooperation."

"We're preparing to cooperate with large record companies like Warner Music, or more accurately, with musicians like you."

Anson's heart stirred, he seemed to know what Matt was planning—

Digital audio sources.

As a witness to the era who traveled back from twenty years later, Anson was very familiar with digital audio sources. Later, the market space for physical albums gradually disappeared, and digital audio sources became fully popularized into the lives of hundreds of millions of people.

However, right now?

Of course, these figures mainly focus on the top singers. Some years the music market sales are stronger, and some years they are lower, which is normal; Since the millennium, singers such as Britney Spears, NSYNC, and Backstreet Boys are still popular, and album sales easily break the tens of millions level, so how can the music market be said to be in decline?

Global record industry revenue.

According to statistics from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, in 1999, the global record industry revenue was 25 billion US dollars. This data has been spiraling downwards in the past four years. In 2003, the global record industry revenue had fallen to 21 billion US dollars.

In just four years, the decline rate exceeded 15%.

The piracy problem of digital audio sources is the culprit.

Not only is it piracy, but digital audio sources have completely changed the way people listen to music. While physical album sales are declining, pirated digital audio sources cannot bring effective income, which makes the global music industry seem to be trapped in quicksand, continuing to sink.

On the surface, it's a lively scene. In 2003, singers such as 50 Cent, Beyoncé, August 31st Band, etc. are still very popular.

In fact, the entire music industry can feel the continued harshness of winter, and even the account numbers of the top musicians are obviously decreasing, let alone those unknown musicians struggling on the eighteenth tier?

The forty-sixth Grammy Awards ceremony, the August 31st Band's second-half opening performance created such an impact and such waves, which also has the reasons for the entire era background.

As Anson said, continue to believe in music and continue to believe in dreams, even a small existence like Archie is still illuminating a small part of the world.

Topic, pull it back.

At this moment, Matt, who has nothing to do with them, came to visit. Anson immediately had associations, and now should be the historical node.

Sure enough, Matt confirmed Anson's guess—

iTunes.

iTunes, as a music player, was officially launched in 2001, experienced a long history of twenty years, and finally officially went offline in 2021, replaced by emerging online audio source applications.

However, at the moment, iTunes is an innovative force that is at the forefront of the times.

Currently, there are indeed quite a few companies around the world trying to maintain digital audio source copyrights and explore new music listening models in the Internet era. Various websites and music players are springing up like mushrooms after a rain, and iTunes is one of them.

iTunes didn't officially start digital audio source encryption business until 2003, which is last year. The technology is already mature, but it does not have universality.

Simply put, digital audio sources purchased on iTunes can only be played on Apple devices through iTunes—

Currently, it is mainly the iPod.

Although this can effectively protect digital audio source copyrights, the disadvantages are also obvious:

What if you don't have an Apple device? Or what if you have an Apple device but want to listen to it in other occasions and other devices?

This limitation has led to iTunes' promotion still being in its initial stage, not only slow but also unable to see a solution.

This problem was handed over to the newly appointed Matt to solve.

And today, Matt came to find a "solution":

Anson Wood.