However, at Rough Trade, musicians were valued above money. The bands “provided their labour, inspiration, and genius,” and the label hoped to meet their creative work with large returns because “it’s been proven that if the band sells a lot of records, it’s much more generous to the artist than a conventional royalty” (Travis qtd. in Reynolds 105). The disadvantage, though, was that if the albums did not sell or did not sell well, the artist did not have major label advances to live on, and Rough Trade would hardly earn anything as they had funded the record production. Rough Trade, thus, used the D.I.Y. approach to create and distribute more than just music. Another of the company’s interests was endorsing zines. Rough Trade would receive …show more content…
In his article “How Indie Labels Changed the World”, Richard King focuses on one of the most notable artists to sign to an indie label, The Smiths. Formed by Steven Morrissey and Johnny Marr in 1982, The Smiths had arranged from their inception to sign with an independent record label, with Rough Trade being their ideal preference (King). This was more than a business decision as it was also one of personal identity for the group, as Marr expresses, "The very act of being on Rough Trade at the time was a statement in itself. It cut across our whole aesthetic." Like artists who embraced the D.I.Y. ethos before them, The Smiths did not want to appear grandiose or elite but rather to present themselves as realistic models for independent music production, inspiring the likeminded to take a shot at breaking into the music industry. When The Smiths eventually grew to a popularity better fitting the support of a major label, they began meeting with record companies and considering new deals. But Marr …show more content…
As someone who was a record freak, it made me want to get back to Rough Trade. On the few occasions that I'd been in the Factory flat, and certainly when I'd been around Rough Trade, they were like record companies trying to operate under mounds and mounds of vinyl. All they had in CBS and Warner Brothers were huge posters of their artists in reception. (King)
His observations reveal that the stark differences between indie and major labels persevered, but they would need to evolve to compete with the increasing competition from
Although it may be perceived that music is a free market based on the love of music, others may argue it is based on profit. In the article “U2’s double trouble,” the band Negativland proclaims that Island Record’s, U2’s record label, only concern in the lawsuit is, “to control the marketplace” (139). Negativland believes Island is trying to control what music is being made and sold. Island is so focused on profit that they are limiting the musical market.
Record labels played a big role in bringing the black struggle to the mainstream through their artists music. In particular, two labels were the frontrunners for producing records that would continue to promote addressing the black struggle: Motown and Stax. Motown, a black-owned label, was seen as a more assimilationist and industrial record label that was successful in making hits that appealed to both black and white audiences, earning it the nickname of “Hitsville, U.S.A.” Stax, a white-owned label, was seen as being more representative of black self-reliance and an overall more authentic, black record label that appealed much more to the black audience, earning it the nickname of “Soulsville, U.S.A.” Despite their differences, both labels used their own style of music production and distribution to help surface the black struggle in very similar ways, and in turn they helped pave the way for black consciousness to emerge through soul music.
the history of MGM Records. As proud as he was of being the son of Hank
But he worried about how he might penetrate a market that seemed to have been held so tightly for so long by capable, entrenched competitors - and
The limitless access to music makes it easy to forget that people's careers rely on the profit behind every song. A profit that is continually shrinking, something that is forcing companies to re-think the way they get music to us, the fans. This will affect everyone who has the slightest interest in music. Some for the worse, but many for the better.
...threats that the major companies are facing. The five major companies have to use all of their albums in the new giant venture, and in this way competing by others would be very hard. Consumers would use this channel because it has more than 85% of the albums in the market. Through online promotions, the new venture would gather information on new prospective buyers for new albums. Therefore, all the major companies can make their marketing strategies more efficient.
From truck driver to Rock and Roll image, Presley’s fascinating arrogance and dance moves became endlessly reminisced in American history. His record-breaking profession set a bar higher to numerous artists. Gifted in both lyrics and acting, his appearance alone speaks for its self. Marcus’ criticism of rock 'n' roll music arises with singers Harmonica Frank and Robert Johnson. Marcus measured these singers to be the forerunners to old-fashioned rock 'n' roll music. Harmonica Frank brands his streak on rock music with the impression of uncontrolled liberty that he represents in his music and his routine. Robert Johnson, on the other hand, speaks the obstruction that Americans surface when they are not capable to accomplish the American vision. Johnson also reports the truth of this malicious
While there have been many successful musicians throughout the twentieth century, none have come to define the era in equal measure to the four men from Liverpool who called themselves The Beatles. Widely considered the most influential band in Rock and Roll’s history, The Beatles have made a lasting impression on the industry and the world at large. In order to better understand the immense impact The Beatles had upon popular culture, I will discuss the bands history within the music industry, the personal connection I share with the band and the societal changes their music inspired. By understanding these aspects of the band’s music, their legacy as the forefathers of popular music becomes ever more evident.
The most significant down side to technology is the loss in revenue from album sales. Illegal downloading of music has become prevalent in today’s society, and many artists—major or independent—receive little to no profit from album sales. Many companies, such as Apple, have tried combating the issue with protected file formats, but a loophole has always been found to bypass the protection. Unsigned and independently signed artists hurt the most, as they pay almost everything out-of-pocket to produce their music. The only feasible response to the loss in revenue, artists have found, is to increase tour dates. In today’s age, it is not rare to find artists who tour more than eight months out of each year. Touring has become one of, if not the only, reliable source of income for many
Define and explain globalisation, then critically evaluate and illustrate the impact globalisation has had on a particular business, the industry it operates in, its country of origin and the country or countries the business has expanded into.
3.Could the various protagonists have 'seen it coming '? Were there any warning signs that might have helped them to respond? Music sharing is not new to the music industry. It has increased significantly since the advent of the cassette. This may have formed a strong sign that there were a major change coming in the music industry. The advances in computer technology and internet were
Music Business Music Business Exam Number One Question 1 - What is The music publishing industry at a glance would seem to be those who print sheet music, method books, lead sheets, and all of the texts or notated music that musicians (and those aspiring to be musicians) use. Years ago, this was what most music publishers did, but as the industry has evolved, the process has become much more complex. Music is not just ink and paper, intellectual material and property to the individual who writes it. Therefore, the song does not become "a song" when it is written down. This is not an easy concept to grasp because the song itself has no physical makeup.
When it comes to the music industry, an artist makes a song, the label sells the song and then the listener buys it? In the world today, the music industry is knowledgeable of digital downloads, music videos, file sharing, and now social media. Social media is the voice of an individual and captures joy, emotions or thoughts in pictures, tweets or status updates. It is a reachable space that is used to keep in touch and to reach out. Social media allows listeners to shares their favorite artists, post their favorite songs and really created a genuine connection with the artists. The music industry has changed because social media is a tool needed to connecting with the listeners. Social media is necessary to maintain a career in the music business.
EMI was being acquired by Terra Firma, a U.K. based private equity company, for five billion dollars. Guy Hands, founder and chairman of Terra Firma, really thought that he could turn EMI around, but that wasn’t exactly the case. He didn’t quite understand the music business and started hiring and cutting jobs, all of a sudden. The overarching dilemma of the whole documentary is that the business model of record labels is to screw an artist; they take advantage of uneducated artists. The record label gives $25,000 dollars in advance to the artist to record an
When musicians produce albums, they want people to listen to the albums. There is not one specific way for a band or single musician to gain an audience and promote their music. Musicians use many different kinds of media to promote their music. They use visual media as well as strictly listening media. The radio, television, and the internet are all different types of media musicians use to promote their music.