One of the most consistently debated and pondered over topics proliferating the conversations of the industry these days is the importance of the record label. Do artists still need them? Can you succeed without one? Whose interests do they have in mind? If you look back at the previous entries on this site you will see that there is a lengthy discussion on the position of labels in the current market. Rather than reiterate what has been said earlier this is an opportunity to look at a few recent occurrences and make a few observations.
It is apparent that the music industry is no longer controlled by a group of head honchos or dominated by a few superstar artists. The playing field has been leveled in recent years as it has been made easier for fans to seek out new music and satisfy their niche tastes. Radio friendly tracks and Top 40 singles are not our only option. The Internet has allowed every person to determine their own tastes and this is diversifying what is popular or even successful music. If that is the case then some would suggest that the record label’s power in marketing and breaking a band has been diminished. Many bands are taking a portion, if not their entire career into their own hands. Myspace, Twitter, and YouTube are just a few ways that artists can communicate directly with fans and cut out the industry middlemen. Successful artists like Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead created quite a stir when they parted ways with the traditional record label model. Others such as Amanda Palmer have made a little campaign out of it, blogging about her desire to be dropped from Roadrunner Records. You can even visit her blog or YoutTube and watch a live performance of her ‘please drop me’ song to the tune of “Moon River” (watch video here).
The question remains however, even if these artists who have managed to be picked up by labels can survive after leaving them, what about an artist who avoids labels from the very start? Surely Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead would agree that a portion of their success in the beginning was due to the help of their major labels supporting them. Once you have a massive fan base it is easier to stand on your own because you know they will support you. Some argue that the label is still a necessary part of getting your music out there. Lots of people are not interested in seeking out music and are quite content to let those that program radio and television do the sorting for them. In this fast-paced information age there are those that claim time is too precious to waste on sifting through the hoards of below average artists in the hopes of finding one you like. The other side of the coin is that time is too precious to be spent listening to music you’re not that interested in.
As a listener you need to decide whether you are content to hear what is served to you, or whether you have the inclination to seek out music for yourself. As an artist it is more difficult. The traditional model of signing with a big label has worked for years, but the industry is changing constantly. It is no longer the rule but rather the exception that artists are developed over time and given a chance to build gradually. The music business is exactly that; a business. Chances are Pink Floyd would have never made it to “Dark Side Of The Moon” (their eighth release) if they were signed now given that “A Saucerful Of Secrets” (their second release) never charted in the United States. The fact is artists cannot expect labels to break them the way they did before. People’s attention spans have dropped to 8 seconds and if can’t you make an impression then they’re likely to move on. Whether you want to be a “singles artist” pumping out hits to the masses while you can or an “album artist” building a smaller loyal fan base, you need to understand the business that you’re in and take a role in securing your own career.
Sources:
0 Responses to “The Label Debate Continues”