Past and Future of Music Streaming — An AMA Hang with Rob Reid
🔊 From MP3s to Streaming — An AMA Hang with Rob Reid
By Joseph Perla, Founder & CEO of Hangout.fm
Rob Reid co‑founded Rhapsody—the first on‑demand streaming service—and went on to write bestselling sci‑fi that probes AI, biotech, and the future of creativity. In this in‑depth Hang, we trace the origins of digital music, the battle against piracy, and the cultural narratives that shape how we respond to existential risks. We also dive into where streaming and AI are headed next, and Rob shares insights on building community and embedding values into technology.
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👥 Bios
Joseph Perla
Technologist & digital‑music pioneer; founder of Turntable.fm and Hangout.fm.
Rob Reid
Entrepreneur (Rhapsody, Listen.com), New York Times bestselling sci‑fi author on AI & biotech, and advocate for fair digital music.
💬 What We Talked About
- ⚙️ Birth of on‑demand streaming vs. piracy
- 💾 MP3 obsession & vinyl’s resurgence
- 🔮 The next wave: social, closed‑circuit streaming
- 🌐 Storytelling’s power in framing global risks
- 🚀 Startup spirit & timeless fight‑songs
- 🤖 Embedding values into AI
🎤 Full Interview with Rob Reid
⚙️ Birth of Streaming
Joseph: You launched one of the first legal streaming services with Rhapsody. What was the song or album that made you say, “Music is going to change everything” back then?
Rob: The Human League’s “(Keep Feeling) Fascination.” It showed you could beat piracy by offering something better: unlimited on‑demand streaming at a fair price—years before Spotify or Apple.
💾 MP3 Collections & Vinyl Revival
Joseph: I love the energy of “Take on Me.” Tell us about the last song you queued up.
Rob: I still have 14,853 MP3s in iTunes sorted alphabetically—so “Take on Me” always tops my list. I turn to that collection for deep cuts not yet on streaming services.
🔮 The Next Wave of Streaming
Joseph: You’re an expert. Where do you see music streaming going next?
Rob: Streaming will become more social and closed‑circuit—imagine a feed of what your closest friends are listening to, seamlessly integrated.
🌐 Culture, Storytelling & Risk
Joseph: You’ve warned about AI and biotech risks for years. What role does culture play in helping us process those threats?
Rob: Storytelling is crucial. Films like War Games and Dr. Strangelove built consensus that “nuclear war = bad.” Similarly, The Terminator and Ex Machina primed audiences for AI risks long before they were real.
🚀 Startup Spirit & Soundtracks
Joseph: As a startup, we live in “Eye of the Tiger” mode—that’s why I queued that track. Why did you pick it?
Rob: “Eye of the Tiger” is the ultimate fight anthem. Every founder needs that drive when the climb gets steep.
Joseph: If you were scoring a documentary about today’s tech & human moment, what three songs must be on it?
- Joy Division – “Atmosphere”
- The Alarm – “Absolute Reality”
- Bon Jovi – “Livin’ on a Prayer”
🤖 Programming AI & Timeless Tracks
Joseph: If you could program one song into an AI’s playlist to understand humanity, what would it be?
Rob: The entire Joy Division catalog—its haunting beauty and raw emotion remind us why preserving human depth is essential.
🎤 Live‑Audio & Community
Joseph: Podcasts and live‑audio (Twitch, etc.) are booming. You saw that early—what’s next?
Rob: Expect themed audio rooms—like our 80s Fridays—to blend chat, performance, and IRL meetups, forging real community around sound.
💡 Investing in Resilience
Joseph: You and Chris Anderson back startups now. What are you focused on?
Rob: We invest in resilience—energy, food, climate tech, and ultra‑efficient AI chips (e.g., Positron) to cool our digital future.
🏁 Timeless Hooks
Joseph: Tech moves fast, but some truths stick. Which song has stayed with you through it all?
Rob: “(Keep Feeling) Fascination” by The Human League—it’s as joyous today as in 1983, proof that a timeless hook transcends formats.
🎶 Rob’s Playlist + Liner Notes
Tracks that scored our conversation:
1. The Human League — “(Keep Feeling) Fascination (Remastered)”
A bright synth‑pop spark that proved streaming could outshine piracy.
2. A‑Ha — “Take on Me”
The prototypical ‘80s energy track—Rob’s MP3 opener by default.
3. R.E.M. — “Stand by Me”
A nod to indie roots and streaming’s power to diversify discovery.
4. Bon Jovi — “Livin’ on a Prayer”
A fight anthem for founders—never give up, never surrender.
5. The Alarm — “Absolute Reality”
Welsh urgency that resonates with today’s social streaming alarms.
6. Survivor — “Eye of the Tiger”
The ultimate startup training montage soundtrack.
7. 999 — “Homicide”
Alphabetical default gem—punk grit always on top.
8. The Cure — “The Lovecats”
Playful darkness—jazzy charm in the shadows.
9. K.U.K.L — “Anna”
Icelandic underground magic—Bjork’s early crew spotlight.
10. The Sugarcubes — “Blue Eyed Pop”
Ethereal post‑punk snapshot from Bjork’s first band.
11. The Sugarcubes — “Leash Called Love”
Frozen beat that captured Rob’s futurist sensibility.
12. Altered Images — “Don’t Talk to Me About Love”
New Wave sass—flirtation meets defiance.
13. Joy Division — “Atmosphere”
Haunting beauty—Rob’s machine‑learning muse.
14. The Godchildren — “Titanium Groove”
Deep‑cut self‑plug—Rob’s own band brings the vibe.
15. The B‑52s — “Rock Lobster”
Quirky finale—seafood dancefloor classic.
🚀 What’s Next
More AMA Hangs with artists, founders, and storytellers are coming.
Want to join? DM me on X or visit Hangout.fm. Let’s keep the playlist—and the conversation—alive.