SXSWORLD

Napster Revisited: Revolutionary Site's Founders Come to SXSW by Barbara Mitchell W are likely to instigate a discussion that could cover everything from ideology, technology and sociology to ethics, morals, art, culture and commerce. Th irteen years after it rocked the music industry and dramatically shifted the way people interacted with and consumed music, the original incarnation of Napster and its aftermath remain polarizing and contentious. Even today, Napster's repercussions are ant to start a lively debate among music industry veterans? Drop two syllables, Nap-ster, and you ramifi cations), but I think those are irrelevant," he says, pointing out that at every phase of his documentary-in-progress he's encouraged those around him to push back against him if they felt his perspective got in the way of the actual story. "Th e point is to add to the conversation," he continues, stressing that in the documentary, he is most interested in the sociological changes that Napster inadvertently created rather than the moral or ethical issues normally associated with it. 46 SXSW ORLD / M ARCH F ILM- I A 2012 one of the most fascinating stories of our present time. Winter (best known to most as Bill from the '80s fi lm Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure) is in the midst of editing a documentary on Napster. Captivated by the story as the company was crashing and burning in the early '00s, Winter originally pitched it as a narrative. Almost a decade later, he is knee- deep in attempting to bring some perspective and discussion to how two naïve college kids dramatically altered culture and the music industry through their relatively innocuous desire to share music with their friends. Winter's long-term relationship with founders Shawn Fanning and Sean Parker give him a rather unique and interesting point of view on the scenario. When pressed on his personal take and feelings on Napster, however, Winter, like several industry insiders interviewed for this story, opts out. "I very defi nitely have feelings (about Napster and its ethical still reverberating, recalibrating the way that promotion and business are conducted and the way art is perceived and valued, not to mention shimmying through to the technology that continues to evolve and shape our culture and how we consume both sonic works of art and fl uff y pop singles. It is, as fi lm director Alex Winter says, Sean Parker Sub Pop label co-founder Jonathan Poneman has seen a lot, and his take on Napster seems to echo Winter's non-denominational, confl icted and complex worldview. "Napster contributed to the weakening of the old music industry oligarchy, and for that reason alone, its memory should be celebrated," he says. "Unfortunately, there is a new music industry oligarchy that's emerged, but the net eff ect post-Napster has been an opening up of the music marketplace to greater participation by more artists." Winter's documentary will eventually be Alex Winter released through VH-1's Rock Doc division, a partnership that allows him access to years of archival footage and reporting. His own status as both a cult icon and a serious fi lmmaker likely opened the fl oodgates when it came to rounding up participants in the aforementioned conversation – a veritable who's who of the music world that includes the Beastie Boys' Mike D, Henry Rollins and Oasis' Noel Gallagher, as well as scores of high- ranking music biz executives (Winter opted to let Metallica sit this one out). Th ose attending the SXSW Music Conference will have a unique opportunity to witness a Winter, Fanning and Parker dialogue about Napster and the documentary. your favorite band's website or post a YouTube video on your Facebook page. And "think" seems to be Winter's guiding principle as he mines complicated and contentious territory and ponders the question about what has happened, and where we are heading from here. ■ "Downloaded: The SXSW Interview" featuring Alex Winter, Sean Parker and Shawn Fanning will take place on Wednesday, March 14 at the Austin Conven- tion Center. See schedule.sxsw.com for details. to change the music business," he points out, explaining how the duo's naïveté and tech background inadvertently rocked the boat and how their current endeavors continue to shape our experiences as music consumers. Th ink about that the next time you download a new track from Both the SXSW panel and upcoming documentary promise to bring a fresh perspective to a worn-out narrative (or narratives). Winter understands that, for better or for worse, Napster radically altered our cultural landscape, not to mention the music industry. "Th ey (Fanning and Parker) didn't have the arrogance to think they were going PHOTO COURTESY OF SEAN PARKER PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEX WINTER

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