Why signing a record deal ain't necessarily a good thing

[cleanbluesky]

Originally Posted by Garp

Jonathan Coulton doesn't like record companies particularly, is giving away his music free whilst also selling it, releases it under a Creative Commons license so people can cover it without charge (as long as they credit him), and yet he is still making a living as a professional musician based on it. The big difference is he's employing companies to do what the labels normally provide, e.g. marketing, CD manufacturing, recording and mastering, merchandise, tour management and so on. He isn't actively involved in the areas, that's why he pays them for, so in essence he's not all that much different from any other artist signed up to a label, he just happens to be at the top of the chain instead of the bottom. All parties concerned profit nicely from it with no corporate shafting taking place.

There is no such thing as corporate shafting, only people with business sense using said business sense.

There are many musicians who do similar things, many with more success than Johnathan Coulson, so what? They in turn become The Man because they're marketing their own work - and their product prices are similar compared to if they were on a major label. What Mr Coulson has is business skills, which is exactly what record companies have.

Does no-one think of the half-baked bands that are spotted and supported by major labels? Should a group of people who make good music also be expected to be expert businessmen?

[Mark]

Originally Posted by cleanbluesky/ Reuters

There is no such thing as corporate shafting, only people with business sense using said business sense.

Pedantry at it's finest. So the people who plundered millions from Enron were entirely innocent because they were just using their business acumen?

Anyway, business sense helps, yes, but common sense probably helps more. Common sense is something I'd argue the guy with the £3.5m bedroom is severely lacking.

There's been stories of this ilk going around for years now - it's becoming pretty clear that the major record labels are only really in it for themselves. Same goes for the major movie studios.

[Garp]

Something else people need to consider is how much is provided by the record label, how much came from sponsorship deals and how much was actually purchased by the artist. The labels like to ensure their artists portray the right image, so makeovers and complete wardrobes are part of what the force on artists. Magazines like Hello and OK are infamous for photographing celebrities in 'their homes' that actually aren't, just posh pads the magazine hires for the purposes too.

[Desmo]

Originally Posted by cleanbluesky/ Reuters

There is no such thing as corporate shafting, only people with business sense using said business sense.

When you're big enough to throw your weight around and have something that smaller people need, of course you can give a corporate shafting. It doesn't mean people have to take it. But some are so desperate, they do.

[cleanbluesky]

Originally Posted by Desmo

When you're big enough to throw your weight around and have something that smaller people need, of course you can give a corporate shafting. It doesn't mean people have to take it. But some are so desperate, they do.

Record labels don't twist arms.

I see a lot of empty complaints about record companies, so why buy the music? Who's buying the music?

[Garp]

Originally Posted by cleanbluesky/ Reuters

I see a lot of empty complaints about record companies, so why buy the music? Who's buying the music?

The people that are wrapped around marketing peoples little pinkies. In the current climate that's pretty much the tweenagers.

[Mark]

... and the people who get 'talent spotted' (also usually tweenagers) and sold a yarn - only to find out much later that they only get the dregs after everyone else taken their cut.

[cleanbluesky]

Originally Posted by Garp

The people that are wrapped around marketing peoples little pinkies. In the current climate that's pretty much the tweenagers.

And the rest of the ****ing population - we're all the man. Everything you buy and own is a product.

Originally Posted by Mark

... and the people who get 'talent spotted' (also usually tweenagers) and sold a yarn - only to find out much later that they only get the dregs after everyone else taken their cut.

... who are given equipment and expertise and contacts - sometimes tens of thousands of pounds worth, money that they will only have to pay back when they earn it and maybe millions more. No-one twists their arm.

They invest in bands and bands return that investment.

[semi-pro waster]

Originally Posted by cleanbluesky/ Reuters

... who are given equipment and expertise and contacts - sometimes tens of thousands of pounds worth, money that they will only have to pay back when they earn it and maybe millions more. No-one twists their arm.

They invest in bands and bands return that investment.

No one twists their arm? Bobbins.

You can dress it up in all the finery you want but for a lot of bands they have to take a record deal if they want to progress. Some bands will make it regardless, either they are just that damn good or they've got enough of a fanbase to work outwith a record label but that doesn't apply for everyone and I'm somewhat surprised you seem to think it does.

Record companies aren't all bad (capitalism seldom is that clear cut) but nor are they the poor souls doing it for the love of the industry either most of the time.

[Mark]

Originally Posted by cleanbluesky/ Reuters

No-one twists their arm.

You've said that twice now. Care to show me where anyone said they did?

You don't have to put someone in a torture chamber to get them to do what you want. Ever heard of social engineering? That's a somewhat extreme example of my point, but valid nonetheless.

Offer the average tweenager the prospect of becoming a superstar and they'll jump at the chance. Why else do you think so many turn up to the likes of X Factor time after time?