Will labels finally die?

methodistgirl

New member
will labels finally die?

I hope not! What about all of these big name companies like Capital,
Columbia, and RCA. They have made big bucks off of recording artist for
years! I really have no idea. I wished there was an honest business that
was not that way.
judy tooley
 

takeitdante

New member
When labels are doing what they're supposed to do they're not evil. That is, when they're helping people expand their musical horizons by providing them with musical experiences, and helping bands share their art and/or hard work with the world. However, these days, the major labels have become incredibly greedy and money driven. Of course, one can understand the need for a business to make money, but it seems that the majors have become SO obsessed with business that they've lost vision of the music. Now that high speed internet can bring almost anyone in the world any music that their heart desires and allow people to discover all kinds of new musical experiences, things are drastically changing. The role of the major record label has changed and is changing with every download and myspace hit. They will never die, because good businessmen know how to stay afloat no matter what, and these are some of the best. But, now people have more power than ever before to discover great bands and songs on their own; every computer is becoming its own record label, in essence. As for Radiohead, they're only able to make their new album a label free release because of how much previous support they've received from their label (or labels, I'm not that sure of their history in that regard). Would O.K. Computer be anything more than a cult-classic, raved about only by a few superfans in the UK, if it were a label-free release?
 

CScoot

New member
As you say, the smart businessmen survive by changing with the times. It's facinating: Drum machines/sequencers came along and when drummers cried about the business they had lost, everyone said, "Well, that's just technology- too bad for you but we're saving on studio costs." Then keyboards could play samples of horns/orchestra and they cried (same response). Now, people can have their own "studio" with a few mics, a PC (or Mac) and software - the smaller studios are closing down, not to mention the composers/arrangers who made a living doing unsigned artists' albums having to change their business model. And finally, with the internet and downloadable music, the labels are now crying about that and suffering.

So, it's "change or be consumed". A friend of mine is a professional sax player - but learned to play keyboards after samplers came out. The smart pro drummers learned to use and program machines and get more live-playing gigs. Too bad, so sad - the labels must also change their business model.
 

hillelr

New member
labels

i don't think labels will die
but i think there will be a change in how the music business works
and for the better as far as musicians are concerned.
if what radiohead is doing will be more popular
there can be a new way to reach audiences and market the music
without the big labels so they wont have such a strong grip on the music business as they do now and i think it is just for the best
 

jnbammer

New member
I think that there needs to be a change in the way the music business works, but that change will still involve major labels maintaining an active role. The Internet has allowed for many independent artists to create and develop their careers, which is an awesome evolution. Artists are empowered to make a living doing what they love more so now than ever; however, if artists really connect with people, then they need someone else to manage the business aspect of their career while they stay focused on creating more great music.

Record labels, management companies and others help take artists to that next level. I think what the Radiohead and NIN situation shows us, though, is that at some point, the artists are capable of taking that control back and still being successful. The upside of this is that it will force labels and others to really manage things in a way that artists don't want to leave. The downside is that, if it becomes common practice, it will not be a mutually beneficial relationship because the artist can walk at the time when the labels investment may just be paying off.
 
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