Why be independent? (I’m referring to the record/music business). This may turn out to be a blog series.
This discussion comes up a lot when I’m telling people about Slingshot Records and why we operate the way we do.
Not only do I run the label (with the help of a handful of other great folks), I’m in one of the bands on the label (REV21). So I know what it’s like to be an artist. The music business has gone through some MAJOR changes in the last 25 years. And, one thing is for sure — only rarely has it been an “artist friendly environment.” That’s what Slingshot Records is trying to create.
Think of some of the changes in last 25 years:
** Vinyl, 8 track, cassette, DAT’s, CD, MP3, etc.
** AM, FM, Satellite, Internet radio.
** Dick Clark’s American Band-Stand, Mid-Night Special, Night Tracks USA (Where Tom Kenney,the voice of Sponge Bob got his start), MTV, VH1, YOUTUBE.
** Acoustic instruments, electric instruments/amps, Moogs, computers, samplers, loops, modelers.
** In early 1980’s lawyers and accountants took over the labels… they couldn’t give a RIP about the artists and their dreams.
Which I’ll leave as the point of this 1st installment: Artists… If it’s because we want the best access to hear our favorite artists, and all of these innovations helped that… WHY DO WE NOT NURTURE ARTISTS EFFORTS? Is it all because of the pursuit of the “fast buck?” I think it can definitely be argued that short sited business people in the music business often toss less developed talent aside seeking a “sure thing.” Not that that’s all bad, but often equally talented artists throw away their dreams because perceive a “no” as final word on their career.
A few years ago it was either Steven Tyler or Mick Jagger that said (paraphrasing) “We’d have never made it in this current music business environment. It took us 3 albums to hit our stride.”
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