Hello :)
So far my mentorship has been very exciting. In starting out my mentor and I discussed our goals. We will be working to record and produce an up and coming local artist (a high schooler like myself). In the end we will even shoot a music video for her.
But as far as learning goes, the first couple of weeks I was taken through the recording process of the church band. I learned many things about acoustics and recording just by watching the church band practices (microphone placement, gain and fading, mixing, mastering).
Recently I have been going to his house in order to work on drum loops for the local artist. His personal studio has very cool equipment (he actually let me hold a $2000+ microphone in trusting that I wouldn't drop it :P)
I have learned a lot of seemingly random but significant things from working with my mentor.
My individual project is still in the process of brainstorming, but my mentor has decided to let me borrow software and an audio interface in order to start recording on my own and to do assignments he gives me.
Also, he sold me his old Macbook for $400 :)
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Independent v. Major Record Labels
Independent v. Major Record Labels
Leading into the twenty-first century the music industry has gone through several revolutions. With the inventions of compact disks, music videos, mp3 files, and torrent programs music has become a lot more accessible to the public. Competition and creativity has increased between artists in getting their music heard. One thing that hasn't changed is the decision between an independent label or a major label when pursuing a career in music. Both fields of the industry have their strengths and weaknesses and both fields can be an all-for-nothing decision for artists.
A platinum-selling record on a major label remains one of the pinnacles of success for artists. Major labels are seen as the ones that are able to push the artist where they need to go. They have vast amounts of funding, charisma over most radio stations and television networks, and enormous distributing power. Because of these advantages, major labels are able to propel an artist to the top of charts all over the world (most notably for American artists, a European following and vise versa).
However there are many drawbacks for artists deciding to take the major label route. For instance, if the artist is lesser known or doesn't already have a strongly established fanbase throughout the nation, they are likely to lose close to all of the artistic control over the music. Although business comes first in both the major and independent world, business is more prominent in the former. Major labels are less likely to take the time to nurture the artists that they invest in. Because of this, signing to a major label can be costly towards the artist's career. If the artist fails to sell the amount of records in order to keep up with industry standards, then they are usually dropped. This can be damaging to the artist's reputation and more than often than not, results in "washed-up" musical acts. But major labels are still seen as the best at what they do and unparalleled in their ability to market an artist. That being said, with all of the benefits and risks, major labels are major decisions for artists (McDonald, concerning major labels).
Independent labels, however, are still major decisions for the developing artist (after all, it is somewhat of a 50/50 decision) but develop their investments more. Most of their funding, which is far less than that of a major label, goes towards recording CDs and paying for tours. Independent labels rely on building up local fanbases for their artists through touring. Independent labels usually have connections with small businesses and are able to acquire small gigs for artists all over the nation.Independent labels are supported by less mainstream means of selling records. They are more akin to vending at shows, selling off websites, and mainly leave the artists responsible for them. While there still is a quota to be met among artists, independent labels usually stick with the artists they do have and work their attention towards developing the artist. Artists are less likely to lose major control over the music they make (although they still may lose some, but not nearly as much as they would with a major label).
However, the cons to an independent label resides in its ability reach general audiences through radio and television play and distribution power. Because most of their funding goes into touring and development of fan bases, independent record companies are usually slower to react to demand, often under or overshooting production of records. They usually lack the reputation and marketing strategies employed by major companies in achieving radio and television airplay (McDonald, concerning independent labels).
Neither route is better than the other per say, but for the individual artist one may. Usually it is best for newer acts to start out on the independent path in order to better learn about the music industry, gain more time to perfect their songwriting skills, gain knowledge in what their audience wants. Major labels have the marketing power for reaching general audiences and are significant career decisions when concerning their black and white (or succeed or fail) business nature. Major labels usually fair the experienced artist better. Many notable musical acts have started out on independent labels and made the jump to major labels (i.e. Ray Charles, Prince, Nirvana, etc.) in order to advance their careers. This is usually seen as one of the safest game plans for artists to take. Owen Husney, Prince's manager who signed a major label contract that gave Prince almost full artistic control, talks about the various advantages that indie and major labels have over each other. He describes the ideal path for an artist to take as starting out on an independent (most notably ones that are offshoots of major labels) and eventually gaining the experience needed to cope with a major label.
Some artists may even choose an alternate route and not associate themselves with a label. With the emergence of mp3 files and websites like Myspace and YouTube, many artists are marketing themselves via the internet. There are also many websites (namely CDBaby.com) that specialize in selling unsigned artists all over the nation. Although a good amount of marketing and popularity is sacrificed in taking this route, many artists feel content without having to worry about signing business contracts.
But whatever path an artist decides to take really depends on their aspirations. It depends on what their personal goals and expectations are. For those seeking to slide gently into the mainstream, an independent label is the right choice. For those that like big risks and quicker fame or even those that are ready to take the next step up in the industry, a major label is the way to go. Sometimes even artists from major labels will choose to step down to an independent label or market themselves. Some artists create their own labels. It all depends on what the artist chooses to do with their music and how they want it to be perceived.
WORKS REFERENCED
Husney, Owen. Interview with Owen Husney. ArtistHouseMusic.org. November 5, 2009. March 6, 2010.
McDonald, Heather. "Major Record Label Deals: Pros and Cons." About.com. 2010. The New York Times Company. March 6, 2010.
McDonald, Heather. "Indie Record Label Deals: Pros and Cons." About.com. 2010. The New York Times Company. March 6, 2010.
Unknown. "Indie vs. Major: Which Record Label Contract is Right for You?" Online Posting. September 17, 2009. MicControl.com. March 6, 2010.
Leading into the twenty-first century the music industry has gone through several revolutions. With the inventions of compact disks, music videos, mp3 files, and torrent programs music has become a lot more accessible to the public. Competition and creativity has increased between artists in getting their music heard. One thing that hasn't changed is the decision between an independent label or a major label when pursuing a career in music. Both fields of the industry have their strengths and weaknesses and both fields can be an all-for-nothing decision for artists.
A platinum-selling record on a major label remains one of the pinnacles of success for artists. Major labels are seen as the ones that are able to push the artist where they need to go. They have vast amounts of funding, charisma over most radio stations and television networks, and enormous distributing power. Because of these advantages, major labels are able to propel an artist to the top of charts all over the world (most notably for American artists, a European following and vise versa).
However there are many drawbacks for artists deciding to take the major label route. For instance, if the artist is lesser known or doesn't already have a strongly established fanbase throughout the nation, they are likely to lose close to all of the artistic control over the music. Although business comes first in both the major and independent world, business is more prominent in the former. Major labels are less likely to take the time to nurture the artists that they invest in. Because of this, signing to a major label can be costly towards the artist's career. If the artist fails to sell the amount of records in order to keep up with industry standards, then they are usually dropped. This can be damaging to the artist's reputation and more than often than not, results in "washed-up" musical acts. But major labels are still seen as the best at what they do and unparalleled in their ability to market an artist. That being said, with all of the benefits and risks, major labels are major decisions for artists (McDonald, concerning major labels).
Independent labels, however, are still major decisions for the developing artist (after all, it is somewhat of a 50/50 decision) but develop their investments more. Most of their funding, which is far less than that of a major label, goes towards recording CDs and paying for tours. Independent labels rely on building up local fanbases for their artists through touring. Independent labels usually have connections with small businesses and are able to acquire small gigs for artists all over the nation.Independent labels are supported by less mainstream means of selling records. They are more akin to vending at shows, selling off websites, and mainly leave the artists responsible for them. While there still is a quota to be met among artists, independent labels usually stick with the artists they do have and work their attention towards developing the artist. Artists are less likely to lose major control over the music they make (although they still may lose some, but not nearly as much as they would with a major label).
However, the cons to an independent label resides in its ability reach general audiences through radio and television play and distribution power. Because most of their funding goes into touring and development of fan bases, independent record companies are usually slower to react to demand, often under or overshooting production of records. They usually lack the reputation and marketing strategies employed by major companies in achieving radio and television airplay (McDonald, concerning independent labels).
Neither route is better than the other per say, but for the individual artist one may. Usually it is best for newer acts to start out on the independent path in order to better learn about the music industry, gain more time to perfect their songwriting skills, gain knowledge in what their audience wants. Major labels have the marketing power for reaching general audiences and are significant career decisions when concerning their black and white (or succeed or fail) business nature. Major labels usually fair the experienced artist better. Many notable musical acts have started out on independent labels and made the jump to major labels (i.e. Ray Charles, Prince, Nirvana, etc.) in order to advance their careers. This is usually seen as one of the safest game plans for artists to take. Owen Husney, Prince's manager who signed a major label contract that gave Prince almost full artistic control, talks about the various advantages that indie and major labels have over each other. He describes the ideal path for an artist to take as starting out on an independent (most notably ones that are offshoots of major labels) and eventually gaining the experience needed to cope with a major label.
Some artists may even choose an alternate route and not associate themselves with a label. With the emergence of mp3 files and websites like Myspace and YouTube, many artists are marketing themselves via the internet. There are also many websites (namely CDBaby.com) that specialize in selling unsigned artists all over the nation. Although a good amount of marketing and popularity is sacrificed in taking this route, many artists feel content without having to worry about signing business contracts.
But whatever path an artist decides to take really depends on their aspirations. It depends on what their personal goals and expectations are. For those seeking to slide gently into the mainstream, an independent label is the right choice. For those that like big risks and quicker fame or even those that are ready to take the next step up in the industry, a major label is the way to go. Sometimes even artists from major labels will choose to step down to an independent label or market themselves. Some artists create their own labels. It all depends on what the artist chooses to do with their music and how they want it to be perceived.
WORKS REFERENCED
Husney, Owen. Interview with Owen Husney. ArtistHouseMusic.org. November 5, 2009. March 6, 2010.
McDonald, Heather. "Major Record Label Deals: Pros and Cons." About.com. 2010. The New York Times Company. March 6, 2010.
McDonald, Heather. "Indie Record Label Deals: Pros and Cons." About.com. 2010. The New York Times Company. March 6, 2010.
Unknown. "Indie vs. Major: Which Record Label Contract is Right for You?" Online Posting. September 17, 2009. MicControl.com. March 6, 2010.
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