Promised Land

Promised Land is a collection of essays by Kyle Bylin that chronicles how disruptive startups and digital youth reshaped the music industry from 2008 to 2013.

Promised Land is a collection of essays by Kyle Bylin that chronicles how disruptive startups and digital youth reshaped the music industry from 2008 to 2013. It begins by showcasing Bylin’s unique take on the piracy debate — how major label thirst for blockbuster artists encouraged fans to file-share music, and why unlimited access to songs makes them feel overwhelmed by the number of options. The book then explores a wide array of music services and applications that strive to change how people listen to and discover music. Bylin, a North Dakota native turned music technology writer, takes readers on a journey to the center of the music industry and the social music revolution.

Kyle Bylin is a music technology analyst and user experience researcher, who specializes in consumer products and behavioral trends. Previously, Bylin conducted user research and developed consumer insights at Live Nation Labs, a division of the company that creates websites and mobile apps. He authored internal reports on why people attend shows, how they convince friends to go, and the impact of venues on the live experience. Bylin also founded and edited sidewinder.fm, a music and tech think tank. He brought together over 30 influential execs, startup founders, and leading thinkers to write long-form essays, available online under a collection of the essays called “Divergent Streams.” Prior to Live Nation Labs, Bylin was a chart manager at Billboard magazine. He oversaw the Social 50 and Uncharted artist rankings, spearheaded the development of Billboard’s music streaming chart initiatives, and wrote a weekly column about chart activity. He also contributed reporting and managed editing for Hypebot.com, a leading trade publication. He has been featured as a source in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, NPR, Marketplace Money, and MTV News. Bylin co-hosts The Upward Spiral (Hypebot.com’s podcast), which provides its listeners with in-depth commentary and interviews featuring music and tech executives.