RECORD LABELS

INDEPENDENT RECORD LABELS

An independent record label operates without the funding of or outside the organisations of the major record labels.

The boundaries between major and independent labels, and the definitions of each, differ.

According to Association of Independent Music (AIM) a"major" is defined in AIM's constitution as a multinational company which (together with the companies in its group) has more than 5% of the world market for the sale of records and/or music videos. The majors are currently:
Sony
BMG
Warner
EMI
Universal Music Group (Polygram)


THE PROS OF INDIE RECORD LABELS OVER MAJOR LABELS!:
Many new emerging artists seeking to break into the industry believe that the only way to produce popular music is by 'getting signed' by a major record label.
Although it is these 'DIY' artists and labels who work locally and may only refer to themselves as semi-pros or amateurs that make up just as big a part in the industry as major labels, maybe even more so.

Although mainstream TV and radio is dominated by major label acts, and it is only on channels such as MTV2, Channel U or MTVFLUX that music videos/ performances/ interviews by artists on independent record labels may be aired.

Despite major record labels popularity in the media, it is the independent record labels that provide us with roughly 4,500 live music events in the UK every day -compared to the rare,largely populised,over priced concerts put on by well established mainstream artists. This proves that there is a lot more going on outside this media 'bubble'.

The mass and diversity of local acts puts the handful of bland national icons in perspective.
But the influence of big business gets attention, and it’s easy to forget that what’s happening in music isn't what's happening on mainstream television, radio stations or in the charts.

Other nominally "independent" labels are started (and sometimes run) by major label artists but are still owned at least in part by the major label parent. These spin-off labels are also frequently referred to as vanity labels and are intended to appease established, powerful artists and/or to give them latitude in discovering and promoting new talent.


WARP RECORDS



- Warp Records is a pioneering independent UK record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the most enduring artists in electronic music.

- Warp Records was founded by Steve Beckett and Rob Mitchell, from their experiences working at a record store, and producer Robert Gordon

- Initially all the album releases were gatefold sleeves and coloured vinyl, often with striking covers by The Designers Republic or Phil Wolstenholme.

- In the late 1990s the label moved its operation to London along with its physical music and merchandise store Warpmart.

- In January 2004 Warp Records launched an online digital music store, Bleep, notable for being among the few stores to completely avoid all digital rights management features in the downloadable tracks, unlike other music stores such as iTunes and Rhapsody.

ARTISTS INCLUDE:
MAXIMO PARK
APHEX TWIN
!!!
ANTI-POP CONSORTIUM
VINCENT GALLO
JACKSON & HIS COMPUTER BAND
SEEFEEL


MAJOR RECORD LABEL: EMI




The Electric and Musical Industries Ltd (EMI) is a major record label, currently one of the largest worldwide running the music industry.

This is a part of the EMI Group, a British music company comprising the major record company operateing several labels, based in Kensington in London along with a publishing company based in NY.

EMI was formed in March 1931 from a merger of the UK Columbia Graphophone Company and the Gramophone Company. From its beginning, the company was involved in both the manufacture of recording and playback equipment and the provision of music to play on its machines.

EMI has signed many popular artists from multiple genres, including The Beatles, Coldplay, Maria Callas, Pink Floyd, Queen, Legião Urbana, Kraftwerk, Iron Maiden, Marillion, Tina Turner, Kate Bush, Frank Sinatra, Radiohead, Roxette, Selena and Garth Brooks.


LIST OF EMI LABEL GROUPS:

ANGEL MUSIC GROUP
CAPITOL MUSIC GROUP
BLUE NOTE LABEL GROUP
CAROLINE DISTRIBUTION
EMI CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP


OUR ARTIST
I feel that our artist would be more suitable to an independent music label working locally, true to their style, doing lots of live performances -so that the focus is clearly on their talent and love for music. This is rather than the media bubble and mainstream image of success that would surround them on a major label.