Are record lables dead?

[darkcatt]

Should we even bother with the old school mentality or just try to do it on our own.

Industry trends say the big ones are dying a horrible death but what about the small indie stuff?

[Mint Invader]

Should we even bother with the old school mentality or just try to do it on our own.

Industry trends say the big ones are dying a horrible death but what about the small indie stuff?

They die. Just more slowly.

[MacGuffin]

the business is really changing for the majors who just want to make "hits" because they can't sell albums with 90% filler.
but smaller labels who print vinyl and/or have a distinct musical vision will keep existing for a little while. the cool smaller labels are like a small family of musical interest, a great way to discover new stuff.

[Emissary]

i cant see the point of publishers and labels anymore. Do i really want some cretin deciding what is fit for a label and what isn't. Just whack it all out there, get rid of copyright laws and lets have some fucking fun

[darkcatt]

Labels at least serve as a marketing outlet. Its been a challenge getting our music heard

[leedsquietman]

record lables are dead.

record LABELS on the other hand - have downsized, are not signing anything unless it's a guaranteed hit, are dropping artists almost immediately if they're not having huge hits, and are now signing contracts which get them money from image rights / TV and film licensing and even live merchandising and concert sales to make up for the fact that actual sales of CDs and digital downloads only represents a fraction of what it did 12 years ago.

They've also had to forefeit the cocaine parties and giving artists huge advances to record an album for 5 years in the Bahamas. Yet they still represent your best chance of becoming famous, if you're willing to let them really get their hooks into you like a giant preying mantis. As the last poster said, promoting your work is the hardest thing if you go it alone, and the labels still have their greasy book of contacts to get you maximum media exposure.

[Rave]

Yes but no but


New release on Sophistique today by Victor (click sig to check it out )

[Emissary]

Labels at least serve as a marketing outlet. Its been a challenge getting our music heard

The way i look at it is you should be advertising locally anyway, everything is going local over the next decade and beyond and that includes music, if you think your going to become a world wide name these days it just aint going to happen. Become a big fish in a small pond and help other artists out in your area, thats my philosophy anyway.

[darkcatt]

Labels at least serve as a marketing outlet. Its been a challenge getting our music heard

The way i look at it is you should be advertising locally anyway, everything is going local over the next decade and beyond and that includes music, if you think your going to become a world wide name these days it just aint going to happen. Become a big fish in a small pond and help other artists out in your area, thats my philosophy anyway.

With the interenet you can reach a global economy. I appreciate your cynicism but i think that it is feasible to be a world wide name with little commercial support


What about Brad Sucks?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Sucks

[Rave]

Labels at least serve as a marketing outlet. Its been a challenge getting our music heard

The way i look at it is you should be advertising locally anyway, everything is going local over the next decade and beyond and that includes music, if you think your going to become a world wide name these days it just aint going to happen. Become a big fish in a small pond and help other artists out in your area, thats my philosophy anyway.

Just curious. Why haven't we heard your music fella? Got a link feel free to pm me if you prefer, I can keep a secret.

[Emissary]

Just curious. Why haven't we heard your music fella? Got a link feel free to pm me if you prefer, I can keep a secret.

well i used to have my annoying little face in my sig that linked to my music but nobody ever went on it, but anyway i have a few on the boobtube , yes i am aware it only has 49 views ...fail

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY4G-EmkRrk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcqn8W16e98

[contakt321]

i cant see the point of publishers and labels anymore. Do i really want some cretin deciding what is fit for a label and what isn't. Just whack it all out there, get rid of copyright laws and lets have some fucking fun

I guess there is no point in a stranger spending THEIR money and time promoting YOU and YOUR music because they are really excited about YOUR MUSIC.

That is dumb.

They should just DL it from Filestube and save their effort, stress, and money.

[beats me]

I think people are screwed if they think they are going to climb into the ears and hearts of music listeners simply from the comfort of their home studio via their email relationship with a label. You need to go out and physically do something in front of people whether it's DJing, Live PA, or having a stellar personality that people just gravitate to at clubs. The glory days of the introverted bedroom noodler are done.

[flippo]

I think people are screwed if they think they are going to climb into the ears and hearts of music listeners simply from the comfort of their home studio via their email relationship with a label. You need to go out and physically do something in front of people whether it's DJing, Live PA, or having a stellar personality that people just gravitate to at clubs. The glory days of the introverted bedroom noodler are done.

Burial

[Donnie]

The definition of a label has and will change, but I think there will always be artists who can benefit from an entity whos job is to promote/fund/etc thier work. Just because someone can do it themselves doesnt mean they REALLY can or even should. Its not always good to be directly attached to the results of your work, it all depends on the goal and/or reason for creating.