At first blush, looking at their web site makes it seem like they're doing something absolutely radical, but that's probably only because we've all been conditioned by the last one hundred years of the developments in intellectual property, the rise of the music industry, and the general corporatization of art.

But, it's really just about who holds the power.

Truthfully, our moment in history may be the most important for the future of innovation, creativity, and who gets to control how many artistic creations are sold to us, the listening and buying public. Decisions are being made by our government and the music industry all the time that will effect musicians and music-fans alike for decades to come.

I've also recently been reading "Playback," a book by Mark Coleman and published by Da Capo Press which came out in paperback earlier this year. It's a fascinating read about how something as ethereal as music has gone through a myriad of ways of being "canned" and then sold as a commodity to be played on the Victrola, the 78, the 45, and the 33 1/3 to the 8-track, cassette, compact disc, DAT, and MP3.

Clearly, as the business of the music business has gotten more profitable, the stakes for keeping whatever the status quo is has risen to multi-billion dollar levels. Coleman makes the case that the net has already changed the way music fans get their music and there's no going back. True enough! You can read a more in-depth review of the book at my new blog.

Participatory Culture also recently released software called DTV, which aims to level the video playing field and create a new venue for filmmakers to netcast their work. Amid a growing field of non-profit and for profit video sites, this is the next front for big Internet growth.

I recently sat down with Reville in Worcester, Massachusetts to discuss:
* how Downhill Battle first came into existence, what their main goals are, and how music fans can take immediate action to make a change
* why music fans need to be aware of all of this, since it dramatically impacts its creation and sale--and will for our collective future
* more details about Participatory Culture and the recent launch of their internet TV platform, DTV

Photo by William Huber/Mother Jones
The Music
This episode of Well-Rounded Radio also features the instrumental music of fellow Jamaica Plain-resident Scott Lesniewski. Working under the name MahaloMusicBoston, it's a home recording project musically inspired by instrumental surf guitar bands such as The Ventures, The RayBeats, and Ray Corvair Trio and spiritually fueled by Meher Baba and the Aloha of the Hawaiin island of Kauai. To date, Lesniewski has recorded four CDs (Mahalo y Amor, More Mahalo y Amor, Much More Mahalo y Amor, and Full Up!).

Lesniewski has been playing music in Boston since he first arrived in 1985. Attending the Berklee School of Music, he studied engineering and met members of what would become the band The MantaRays. Over the years he's also played drums, bass, and guitar in The SunSpots, RedWagon, Up!, Delicious, Dave Thompson and The Scheme, and most recently with Jeffrey Simmons and The Symptoms.

Once I heard it, I knew Lesniewski's music would be a the perfect complement for the interview with Reville. At turns inspirational and sinister, aggressive and mysterious, it fit the spirit of what Downhill Battle is doing perfectly--and it's also just right for a show at the tail end of summer.

Lesniewski is also interested in working with filmmakers or producers to use his music for film or commercial projects. Give this episode of Well-Rounded Radio a listen and contact Lesniewski if you like what you hear.

Music featured in the interview from Scott Lesniewski includes:
1) The Game Goes On and On (Full Up!) (in preview)
2) Latin Wave (Mahalo y Amor)
3) It Takes Courage (Much More Mahalo y Amor)
4) Snow Storm Tuesday Night (More Mahalo y Amor)
5) Everybody on my Street Holding Hands (Full Up!)
6) Number One (Much More Mahalo y Amor)
7) The Links (Full Up!)
8) Step it Up (Mahalo y Amor)
9) Stay Home Get Paid (More Mahalo y Amor)
10) Mast Hotel (Full Up!)
11) Listen Closely (Much More Mahalo y Amor)
12) Baba Shuffle (Mahalo y Amor)
13) Full Moon High Tide Freak Out! (More Mahalo y Amor)
14) Leave a Message (Full Up!)
15) Turnin' Over (Full Up!)
16) You'll Know (Much More Mahalo y Amor)
17) You Missed Me (Full Up!)
18) Jack Hammerin' (Mahalo y Amor)
19) Mr Big Approaches (Mahalo y Amor)
20) Tin Man at the Door (Full Up!)

If you like this interview, give a listen to the Well-Rounded Radio Interview with "The Future of Music" co-author Dave Kusek with music from Billy Atwell.

Nicholas Reville of Downhill Battle and Participatory Culture recommends: Jacob Berendes, Dracula Zombie USA, Joanna Newsome, Mike Jones, and RIAA Radar.

Scott Lesniewski's mp3s and CDs are available from Soundclick.com. Scott recommends: Ken Michaels, PeterDuCharme aka MasterCylinder, Dan Efram, Indie Bible, Free Music Legal Advice, and Negativeland.

Read more about the history of the music business in Playback ( Yahoo! Shopping Comparison chart)

Well-Rounded Radio recommends: Future of Music Coalition, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Creative Commonos, and Public Knowledge.