Have the record labels outlived their purpose?

Question

These days recording artists and musicians can buy inexpensive digital recording equipment and software that rivals what the recording companies produce in terms of mixing, editing, and sound quality. With the internet, advertising and distribution costs are inexpensive. And the artist can sell to their fans directly from their websites, earn more per song, and charge less than the labels do.

What is the purpose of the record labels today except to drive up music costs of which the artists get a very small amount? Have these labels become obsolete and pointless?

Answer 1

I think how the record companies do business is changing. Music stores are closing, and the ones that are open are more about DVD sales than music sales.



I think that it's bringing more talented people out via word of mouth and myspace. Bands have said they're playing places out of the area for decent money and not having to prove themselves in playing for 5 people as much. "Living room" tours are not that uncommon either.



Some people make a very nice living that never signed to a major label but then you will never be on Wal Mart's shelves, maybe Best Buy. And most people want to be on Wal Mart's shelves.



But the big companies are what takes bands and singers to the level of playing in front of the most people as possible and getting music videos made.

Answer 2

i won't be in a position to tell you the call of my checklist label via fact i'm nevertheless in the technique of copywriting and trademarking it. sure, i certainly am commencing my own label. the kind of bands I plan to sign are enormously dissimilar. i'm going to sign according to 4 questions.. all solutions could be sure: a million. Do i like their sound? 2. Do i think of different human beings will like their sound? 3. am i able to industry them? (i.e. have they have been given a gimmick, a powerful call, something i will use to assist industry the band...) 4. have they have been given the aptitude to maintain coming up music human beings will like and which may be marketed? If the respond is not any to any of those questions, i might help produce a demo, yet I won't sign a band to my label.

Answer 3

Yes, and I think it's a good thing. I think the artist deserves the money, over their record label. Independent bands have been smart all along - just self-release the material, and skip the corporate BS.

Answer 4

They still have the resources to heavily promote their artists that the smaller companies can't do but I can see where your coming from.



Another problem with them is that they think they know what we want to hear more than we do. There's no telling how many great songs there are that we'll never hear because of their arrogance.

Answer 5

The music industry is "show me the money". Record labels can pay big, but you can't get paid even if you had a studio with the likes of one from Virgin Records stuido.