In one of the most anticipated events of South by Southwest Interactive, Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins joined author and analyst, Brian Solis, to discuss “No More (Music) Business As Usual.”

The one-on-one conversation centered around key themes of Solis’ book The End of Business as Usual which challenges brand to adapt and thrive amid market disruption. And the music industry has undeniably experienced disruption like few others. Corgan took the music labels to task for failing to adapt to the digital era, in addition to critiquing the music consumers for tearing down artists via social media.

Throughout the conversation, Corgan stressed the very real struggles of today’s emerging artists, saying he’d need to set himself on fire on YouTube to get noticed as a new act today.

Notable quotes from the Smashing Pumpkins’ frontman include:

– “The artist has to figure out a way to drive people to them in a way that’s going to sustain their interest.”

– “Don’t call it rock and roll. I was part of a generation that changed the world – and it was taken over by poseurs.”

– “Today’s young artists “have grown up thinking that being famous is the goal, not to be respected – not to be dangerous.”

Billy Corgan has been the principal architect behind the Smashing Pumpkins since he formed the alternative rock group in Chicago in 1987. Their debut album Gish broke the group onto the national scene and their second album Siamese Dream is an alt-rock cornerstone.

About Brian Solis

Author of the acclaimed new book on social media and business, The End of Business as Usual, Brian Solis is principal at Altimeter Group, a research-based advisory firm. Solis is globally recognized as one of the most prominent thought leaders and published authors in new media. A digital analyst, sociologist, and futurist, Solis has studied and influenced the effects of emerging media on business, marketing, publishing, and culture.