Joe Pearce Special Subject Proposal

Are Independent Record Labels the future of the

Industry? I am choosing to conduct a special subject investigation where I will be researching independent record labels and what the future holds. This means a record label that is run by a potentially small group of people and isnt one of the three major record labels that are about now, these three being: 1. Universal Music Group 2. Warner Music Group 3. Sony BMG There were four major labels until the EMI Record label were acquired by the Universal Music Group in 2012 while some parts of EMI also being sold to Warner Music Group by Universal.

Justification for chosen Special Subject I am choosing to do my research in this subject field firstly as it is something I am currently interested in and secondly believe it to be intellectually beneficial to have this knowledge for the future. I believe it to be beneficial for me to gain the knowledge of how record labels see musicians potentially in a different light from the average music listener which could in turn help me to acquire a business awareness of musicians and to also learn what it takes to be successful if you own or run your own label.

Research Proposal I am now going to write my research proposal with justified planning and research methodology what will include clear and considered timelines for the project. I am starting off my proposal with my planning ideas which are as followed:

Find and select a few labels that I will research deeply into Hardly Art / Captured Tracks / Burger Records / Arbutus records / Wichita Recordings / Bella Union Write up ten questions that will be relevant for a record label to answer Type a short e-mail to chosen record labels explaining my situation and that I intend to do research into independent record labels while also including some of the questions which I earlier typed up If none of these labels respond to my e-mail then I will select a few more and make a note of these new labels Whilst waiting for responses I will use my time to scour the internet and using valid, reliable sources I will add information to my research Once I get a response from the record labels that I have contacted I will include what they have responded with into my own research to help further it with valid sources Start writing up a final opinion and conclusion on the question I asked

Research Log

I started my research trail by deciding on a few select Record labels to e-mail asking a few questions suitable for a label to answer. These Record Labels are: Hardly Art / Captured Tracks / Burger Records / Arbutus records / Wichita Recordings / Bella Union Log Entry 1: I have emailed these six chosen labels and am currently awaiting a response. Log Entry 2: I received an Email back from Arbutus records. Here is what the response said:

Hi Joe, Thanks for getting in touch, reply below. What made you decide to start your own Label? I was surrounded by fantastic music and wanted to help my friends in any way I could. A label seemed a nice way to do it. What do you think it takes to be successful as an independent record label? Good taste in music and a lot of hard work. Do you have a favourite media to release music on? (Vinyl/Cassette/CD etc.) I try not to be bound by medium. I believe the experience of listening to music to be a transient experience, and the medium is just that: "an agency or means of doing something". Are there any artists living or dead that you would be/would have been keen to work with and for what reason? Too many to name, but that's not how life works. It is in those mistakes and imperfections that one finds beauty :) Log Entry 3: No more responses. Started searching the Internet for information and putting quoted parts into relevant places in my write-up.

Log Entry 4: Still havent received any more responses, running out of time to incorporate any responses into my final work now. Log Entry 5: Given up waiting for responses and am instead searching the Internet for creditable sources of information Log Entry 6: Started to write up my final analysis of the question I asked.

Log Entry 7: Found some more quotes to put into my final analysis. Log Entry 8: Finished my research analysis

Log Entry 9: Finished writing a short conclusion to the question I asked.

This is what the emails I sent to the General Enquiries section of the labels contained:

Hey! I'm currently doing research for my music technology course; which requires me to research a chosen subject. I've chosen to research & write about independent

record labels.

As I listen to a multitude of artists signed to your label I though it to be fitting that I write to you and ask a few questions which hopefully you don't mind taking the

time to answer. Thank you in advance!

What made you decide to start your own Label? What do you think it takes to be successful as an independent record label? What is your policy on bands that would like to be signed by your label? How do you see the future of the record label industry? Do you think the media in which music is released on is important to

sales/popularity of music? (Vinyl/Cassette/CD etc.) What are your thoughts on the big 3 record labels? What is your biggest achievement as an independent label? Do you have a favorite media to release music on? (Vinyl/Cassette/CD etc.) Are there any ambitions you wish to achieve as a label? Are there any artists living or dead that you would be/would have been

keen to work with and for what reason?

Thank you for taking the time to read my E-mail and I hope you can get back to me

:-)

Thanks, Joe

I should note that I didnt ask every question to every label I emailed. Just a select few questions to each.

History of Independent Labels

(I will now post text which is not my work but things I have found to be creditable and helpful for me to read and come to a final conclusion.)

Independent labels have a long history of signalling developments in popular music, stretching back to the post-war period in the United States. Disputes with major labels about publishing led to a proliferation of labels specializing in country, jazz, and blue. Sun records played an important part in the development of Rock n Roll as well as country, with artists such as Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, and Charlie Rich. The independent labels usually aimed their releases at a small but devoted audience, not relying on mass sales for success, giving artists much more scope for experimentation and artistic freedom.

In the United Kingdom during the 1950s and 1960s, the major record companies EMI, Philips, and Decca had so much power that independent labels struggled to become established. Several British producers launched independent labels as outlets for their work including Joe Meek (Triumph), Andrew Oldham (Immediate), and Larry Page (Page One). Chrysalis Records, launched by Chris Wright and Terry Ellis, was perhaps the most successful from that era, and continued to expand. Several major rock stars set up their own independent labels - The Beatles with Apple Records, The Rolling Stones with Rolling Stones Records, and Elton John with The Rocket Record Company, but they generally failed as commercial ventures or were swallowed up by the majors.

No history of independent labels can be complete without reference to the most successful independent record label of all time, A&M Records. Founded in 1962 by trumpeter Herb Alpert (the A) and record promoter Jerry Moss (the M), A&M was initially the label and distributor for Alpert's own Tijuana Brass hit recordings, but the label quickly began signing other artists. Over its 37-year run, A&M sold records from such artists as Sergio Mendes & Brazil '66, The Carpenters, Phil Ochs, Carole King (A&M distributed her label, Ode), Joe Cocker, Cat Stevens, Humble Pie, Peter Frampton, The Police and Sting as a solo artist, Styx, Bryan Adams, Amy Grant, Suzanne Vega and Sheryl Crow. A&M was also the initial distributor of Windham Hill Records and George Harrison's Dark Horse Records. Alpert and Moss sold A&M Records to Polygram in 1989 with the caveat that Alpert and Moss would continue to manage it independently. Polygram was later bought by Universal Music Group in 1998 and A&M as a label and a brand died the next year. There is little argument that A&M's 37-year run and catalogue of both commercially successful and critically revered recordings qualifies it as the most successful independent record label in history.

The punk rock era brought about a turning point for independent labels, the do-it-yourself ethos of the time seeing the emergence of a plethora of independent labels. In the US,

independent labels such as Beserkley also found success with artists such as The Modern Lovers. Many of the UK labels ended up signing distribution deals with major labels to remain viable, but others retained their independence (e.g. Industrial Records, Factory Records, Warp, Ninja Tune, Wax On, BlancoMusic) and the factor that came to define independent labels was distribution, which had to be independent of the majors for records to be included in the UK Indie Chart, which was first compiled in 1980. The term 'indie' and the chart itself was unrelated to a specific genre of music, and the chart featured a diverse range of music, from punk to reggae, to MOR and mainstream pop, including several hits from the likes of Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan on the PWL label. The late 1970s had seen the establishment of independent distribution companies such as Pinnacle and Spartan, giving independent labels an effective means of distribution without involving the majors. The situation improved further with the establishment of 'The Cartel', an association of companies such as Rough Trade Records, Backs Records, and Red Rhino, who helped to take releases from small labels and get them into the shops nationwide.[4] The 'Indie Chart' became a major source of exposure for artists on indie labels, with the top ten singles regularly aired on the national television show The Chart Show. By the late 1980s, the major labels had identified an opportunity to break new acts via the indie chart, and began setting up subsidiary labels that were financed by the majors but distributed via the independent network, thereby being eligible for the chart. With the major labels effectively pushing the genuine indie labels out of the market, the independent chart became less significant in the early 1990s, with 'alternative' increasingly being used to describe artists, and 'indie' often used to describe a broad range of guitar-based rock and pop. The Offspring's 1994 album Smash is the highest selling independent record of all time. The album was certified six times platinum in the U.S and sold more than 12 million copies worldwide.

Quote from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_record_label

More Information on Record Labels

The common perception of a Record Label is the major record labels in Los Angeles or New York that have signed all of the major players of today. These major record labels, which include Sony, Universal, Geffin and Capitol Records are major corporations with hundreds of millions of dollars behind them, allowing them to properly fund all of the worlds biggest artists. In the eyes of an emerging artist, a record deal has always been the big picture, and it has always been envisioned as a contract with one of these major players. But as most people know, the major music industry has all but failed. With the death of popular radio, the introduction of online social networks and digital music retail stores such as iTunes, Rhapsody and Amazon, and the fact that every major release in the past 5 years has leaked to the internet weeks before the release day, the ideologies of the past are no longer relevant. Major label companies are now in a transition period, and are struggling to come up with the end-all-be-all solution to all of their problems. Enter Indie (short for Independent) Labels. With Major labels only making up a very small percentage of the worlds music label population (for a comparison, think about the US elite upper class, and how they only make up 10 percent of the nations population). An indie label contract has become a new goal for many- a more realistic goal at that. Becoming an Indie Label signed artist has become a movement, a trend, some may even say a fad. But indie labels have created a true niche for themselves and their business has been booming. So much so, in fact, that many of the Major Labels are now beginning to embrace the Indie Label methods in order to achieve future growth as a company. While indie labels cant offer the kind of funding for artists that the major labels can, they do offer many other benefits that may be more important to the artist. So, what make a record label indie? The answer is quite simple. An Indie Label is any music recording label that operates without the funding of the organizations of the major music labels. Typically, major labels are global in scale and operate their own distribution and publishing companies. Indie Labels, however, tend to either work with other smaller companies, either in long term partnerships or in smaller contractual relationships for their distribution and publishing, although many indie labels do pay for the distribution services that major labels have to offer. The interesting thing about indie labels is that they can range so greatly in size. Unlike major record labels, who are all fairly similar in size, indie labels make up any sort of record label business that is in between the worlds biggest, major labels, and the record labels that consists of a guy with a computer and a single mic in his basement. But if indie labels cannot afford to produce the kind of large scale business that the Major Labels can, why would it be a new goal for many emerging artists? There are many benefits for artists who sign with an indie label, it is just a matter of understanding the benefits of each type of label and determining what is more important to the artist. Quote from: http://www.musicthinktank.com/mtt-open/indie-vs-major-which-record-label-contract-is-right-for-you.html

Research Results/Final Opinion Through investigating and researching creditable and reliable online sources I have come to the thought process that major record labels which have huge funds available through various other sources than just the music alone will most likely always be around in some form whether that be through making contractual agreements with indie labels for their distribution services or by other means. Although major record labels are starting to take some notes from indie labels on how to manage artists to keep them happy apart from just throwing money at them. It will take a lot more to really get ahead in the label industry, what it will take for them to completely eclipse indie labels Im not too sure but they need to find it quick before they lose their identities and any appeal to bands that might be interesting in signing to them. I personally think that music is becoming a lot more personal and as there is less money in the music industry now, people are really making music because theyre passionate about it. Of course an artist likes to be successful but I dont think it matters nearly as much now as it did 10-20 years ago to be popular in one scene or country and this is mainly due to the Internet. With the internet being so readily available around the world it is easy for anybody to log onto a computer even at an internet caf if it comes to it and search for similar artists to the ones they already listen to and get really into new artists. It is a shame that record stores are slowly closing down but there are obviously still the big ones around the world that are doing pretty well. Stores like Amoeba Records, Burger Records, Rough Trade etc. are stores that as well as some being record labels, they have a vast library of music for you to listen to in store and buy straight after listening or just picking up an album and buying if you already know what you want. There are a lot of Pros & Cons to signing with Indie or Major labels right now and here are some: (Note that is taken from: http://www.musicthinktank.com/mtt-open/indie-vs-major-which-record-label-contract-is-right-for-you.html) - - - Independent indie Music Record Labels: Pros: Artists Get The Rights To Their Music: This is a HUGE benefit of signing a contract with an indie label. With the recent growth in exposure from indie artists, the possibilities of a hit single being reused for other things such as movie, TV and video game soundtracks are greatly increasing. By being allowed to keep the rights to the music, artists have the option to do what they would like once the song has been recorded. They Sign You Because They Love Your Music, Believe In Your Music and Your Brand: Generally speaking, Indie music labels are smaller companies who are not pressured by a

board of directors to sign a specific sound or promote a specific look just for success on the charts. Typically when you are sign a contract with an indie label, they trust that your brand will sell, and work to promote you, not the packaged image that they create for you. Close Personal Relationships: Independent record labels tend to have much smaller artist rosters than the larger, major record labels. Although this also means there is a smaller total staff employed by the label, artists typically work one-on-one with a representative who they can form a much more personal relationship with. This one-on-one relationship makes the label much easier to reach as well, being able to contact the label rep. directly. Pro-Artist Contracts: Although some of the bigger indie labels use contracts that are close to those of the major record labels, they are usually less complex. The indie label contracts are known to be more artist-friendly, giving the artist more money for their work through either profit-sharing programs or simply a larger royalty percentage than given by the major labels. Cons: Lack of Funds: The most common issue for independent labels, being that they do range so greatly in size and success is funds. A lack of funding means a smaller budget for recording, production of physical disks, packaging, distribution costs, tour support, merchandise, etc. Another significant issue caused by a lack of budget is that proper marketing for the artist is sacrificed, making the artists promote themselves if they want to be seen and heard. Disorganization: Due to the fact that many independent record labels are so informal, there is the possibility of things being done incorrectly and then being overlooked. If accounting is overlooked, it could mean incorrect payment for artists. Size: Although a smaller size allows artists to form stronger relationships with an indie record label, it also means that the label itself has less influence and power within the music industry. What this means for an artist, is that a small label may not be able to cater to their tour and promotion needs. Major Music Record Labels: Pros: Excessive Amounts Of Funding: Major labels have far greater amounts of funds at their disposal than indie record labels do. This extra money means that the major labels will be able to fund high-quality production, packaging, global physical distribution as well as digital distribution through the major online outlets, world tours, and music video shoots. Networking and Connections: In addition to the deep seeded connections that major labels have made in their many decades of being in business, their even deeper pockets allow them to get their foot in the door to most media outlets. Size and Reputation: Obviously size can make a significant difference when dealing with the biggest names in music. It may be harder for some of the smaller indie labels to influence, say, Rolling Stone magazine to do a review of their newest artists debut album. Yet, due to the size and reputation of the major record labels, Rolling Stone would be more willing to do a review of a new artist knowing that it opens up doors to get the interview from a big name later down the line. Cons: Must Fight For Attention: Contrary to popular belief, major labels do sign many artsts, but much of what is signed quickly gets turned over. If your music doesnt immediately stick, you may find yourself having a hard time getting any attention from the label. If this happens, you may find yourself spending more time in a battle for attention than working to further your career. Artist Unfriendly Deals: Being that major label record companies are a business, they will likely do everything they can do profit as greatly as possibly from their investment in you, your music and your brand. Not only does this mean the possibilities of small royalties, but it means the artist does not get to keep the rights or even the creative control over the music. Corporate America: Again, major label record companies are businesses. Really big ones at that. Major label record companies have shareholders and a board of directors pressuring the staff to make the right moves to make the most money, not display the best music. One of the hardest things for an

artist to comprehend is that although there are people who work within the music industry that love music, there are just as many who dont, who only see it as the business it is and the product is music. Its as simple as that. As an artist, your music is just the product that is in style at that point in time. --- Quote from: http://www.musicthinktank.com/mtt-open/indie-vs-major-which-record-label-contract-is-right-for-you.html

Conclusion So at the end of the day I think that Indie record labels are not going to wipe the major labels off the map completely because sadly wherever there is money, there is power but I do think the way that they treat their artists and truly believe in what their artists are doing is the future of the record label industry which I am happy about because I believe Music should always be about passion, expression and art instead of popularity, money and a generic sound which sells.