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Independent Labels vs. Independent Artists

moonslave	Date: July 11, 2004 @ 3:56 PM Do you think that the future of music lies in independent labels or independent artists? For the purpose of this thread, we will use the following definitions: Independent Label: A label that is not owned by the RIAA, uses comparatively fair compensation methods for the artist, and provides many of the services of a traditional record label (ie, finance, promotion, distribution, etc.) Independent Artist: An artist who is not associated with any record label, but who employs several different companies to provide the services desired. (ie, the manager works with a bank to get money, an independent promoter for concerts, and an independent distibutor who sells the music online) Obviously, there are pros and cons to each method. I would just like to hear what people think.
vladb	Date: July 11, 2004 @ 8:19 PM I feel labels are the way as it is the it grants a stability to an artist, plus it brings to together bodies of work by a range of artists so Joan Public can discover new stuff that would previously been left unknown I could also sum up my argument for labels in three words “Kill Rock Stars”.
RaXDaCapo	Date: July 12, 2004 @ 1:20 AM Independent Labels for sure because Independent labels have more money and more connections than the independent artist. I feel that it alll depends on the genre.
ronnie71	Date: July 13, 2004 @ 4:15 AM true that!!!
djfacemachine	Date: July 13, 2004 @ 1:29 PM i think either way could be the future but that maybe the actual future of music is going to really rely on where the actual music goes. there will be new styles, genres etc. but more about the topic... it seems like an independent artist will need certain services regardless of if they choose to associate themselves with an independent label or not. like you said above: managing, promoting, distribution. it almost comes down to a matter of convenience. if an artist goes to a label, the label will set all these things up for them (at a cost!) saving the artist the trouble of looking for their own managers, promoters etc. however, if the artist chooses to find and hire their own crew of helpers they stand to save a lot of money. it comes down to how much time and money the artist wants to spend and how confident they are that they can locate and hire the best people for the job.
leflaw	Date: July 13, 2004 @ 5:53 PM I think the industry is headed towards a virtual music or record club. Like Dmusic.
leflaw	Date: July 13, 2004 @ 6:40 PM I think the industry is headed towards a virtual music or record club. Like Dmusic.
Elu	Date: July 13, 2004 @ 7:02 PM I honestly feel that both are necessary to get the stuff out there. There is no possible way that an independen musician can spend all that time listing and distributing their music. It kills the creative process. Both are full time jobs.
jmweirick	Date: July 13, 2004 @ 9:37 PM I think that the imediate future requires labels, but the further into the future we go the less they will be important. Ultimately, it will be the independent artists.
mtekk	Date: July 14, 2004 @ 2:14 PM I think that a Community of Independent artests (DMusic) that have created their own 'independent label' (DMusic records??) is what is going to take the mother f'ers @ the RIAA down. everything in nature goes through cyles, from total self reliance/independence to orginisations/restrictions then back to self reliance/independence, it's human nature, orginisations start at alliances to seek protection bacause a bigger/better/more agressive person threatens them, then the agressor feels ganged up on and starts his/her own alliance system, then one of the two end up getting bigger, and alliances merge and end up becomming corrupt, the people realise this and leave/attack it from within, the orginisation fails and it's back to total independence.
LILDE	Date: July 17, 2004 @ 7:21 PM THIS IS LILDE i would like to be apart of D Music i am looking for a record deal you can reach me at DDmusic45@hotmail.com
bayareadrums	Date: July 28, 2004 @ 1:16 AM Too many artists have been beaten into submission on this one it's sad. Listen, it's simple. You can do everything on your own (i.e. Indie Artist) PLUS MORE than you can under a label. Follow along... Generally record labels (indie or Big5 related) only want to "sign" you after you've hit a certain benchmark - say after you've sold 10,000 units, have played 100+ shows and have gained a following in your immediate area for example. If you are wise and hire your own management, stay away from the crank/smack/crack, and make smart business decisions, you could be bank-rolling and investing your proceeds along the way. If you are cultivating your following strategically enough, then eventually you can start your OWN label and company to distribute your own stuff. Then YOU write your own ticket. I've seen this happen with quite a few bands so I know it can be done successfully. "Signing" to any record company is usually only a good move if you are unable, unwilling or not talented enough to take charge of your own musical career. Your goal should not be to "get signed". Your goal should be more focused, like "to become finacially independent" or "to get mad laid" or whatever. But focusing on getting signed will most likely just get you bankrupt. And yes, labels have money behind them. But there lies the problem. The more money the companies make, the less the artists make. If the artist IS the company, then the artist gets control over 100% of his/her/their earnings instead of having to fork a significant chunk back into the cog mill. Any artist who is serious about making music their business owes it to themselves to not just read, but understand the two following books from "Moses Avalon" (nom de plume): • Confessions of a Record Producer • Secrets of Negotiating a Recording Contract Both are like $10 USD on Amazon. Pick them up and get wise. Good luck!
RaXDaCapo	Date: July 28, 2004 @ 4:11 PM I agree w/ leflaw and elu.
billhudson	Date: July 31, 2004 @ 4:55 PM “The future of music lies in independent labels or independent artists?” Are they not one of the same? Reading the last post was very good and should be listened to, good one. When I do sound checks I sometimes go “WILL YOU PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR MTV HEAD’S. TURN IT OFF FOLKS THIS IS REAL, LIVE MUSIC.” Beats doing the old, testing one, two, testing, one two three and all that. When I do say this, some folks look like they are in a dream and just woke up. I would say the same thing to some musicians, “Turn off your MTV heads” Trying to make a living as a musician is not very easy. But if one gets off one’s back end there is work out there. But one must keep the discipline of a guild soul So trying to get signed to the “big guys” is just in my opinion is wasting my time. I was talking to my music publisher about this the other day. We were in the village having a sidewalk dinner. I told him, what’s the point of spending time out there looking. for the fat golden calf. I could spend more time, recording, writing, and bookings. And we went back and forth a bit and he said, “Would you talk to some one from a big label?”. Sure I said but one really has to watch it. These guys are good and they can lay out a lot of money very fast. But there is always those damn string, that’s if you can see all of them or find all of them, or for that matter, maybe just some. Keep in mind why you are trying to make it as a musician. Pete Seeger once asked me, “Bill do you ever ask yourself why you are doing this?” I told him right back, Each and every day Pete, each and everyday.” It’s not for the money, if it was, a long time ago I would have jump ship. So far, so good…… Still Pickin’ Bill H.
Jennae	Date: August 19, 2004 @ 3:32 AM bump
blacklieder	Date: August 21, 2004 @ 2:18 PM The point bayareadrums makes is very profound. Understand, the indie route is a very hard route to take, and it's exhausting, and could be rewarding at the end of the day cum career provided your are willing to go that route, and not everybody is able to do that. But if you want to gain that worldwide recognition, you got to deal with the big leagues, or become a big league player yourself. That takes millions of dollars, several lawyers, and a surefire product. N'Sync come to mind, and the guy who put them together. The guy from Florida. Whatshisname. Then, there's the one hit wonder route. Maybe you want to be famous (or infamous). Right Said Fred may be working in Denny's tonight, but at least everybody knows their name. Okay, not their real names but you get it. So, if you don't mind getting pimped out, go to the majors and beg. I ask myself - which came first, the pimp or the record label? But, all jokes aside, there's good and bad in all of it. Bottom line is the labels are about business, business is about making money, and whoever is in charge makes the lion's share of it. New artists, work on your careers and do the footwork, read everything and keep your eyes open. Get as much exposure and work as possible, and no matter what you decide, it will improve your chances of success.
blacklieder	Date: August 21, 2004 @ 2:20 PM Oh! I didn't answer the question. My answer is, the future lies with individuals and big business. One conglomerate will make it possible for everyone to be their own boss. Once one machine offers all the services, then ten billion people will feed one man, and not even realize it.
arieboom	Date: October 13, 2004 @ 1:30 PM The best thing to do when you start as a selling artist is too find a label/site that suits you there are labels/sites that allows you to have agreements with others. Ithink that this is the real future of music. Indy artists that joins multiple labels.

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