| dc.description.abstract | Over the course of the past few decades a lot of technological developments have been made in the industry in terms of music production, distribution, marketing and consumption. Exploring the post-digitization boom in artists, record labels and distributors, this study seeks to investigate how the recorded music industry relates to artists.
The investigation is based on two semi-structured interviews. The first interviewee is an A&R manager at a traditional major record label. The other interviewee is the CEO of The Music Federation, a multilateral music company that happens to provide label services, Achal Dhillon. Interviewing Dhillon, part of the research developed into a case study of his company as an alternative way of releasing music.
Discussing artist expectations and current industry practices with the major label interviewee and Dhillon, it became evident that many artists were either blissfully (or in some cases: angrily) ignorant to what a record label does in this day and age, or why they even want a record deal. Many artists also have outdated views on the matter.
The interviews also revealed some very disturbing, elusive practices in the recorded music scene that somehow has managed to escape the public, industrial and academic discussion. There is a definite need for change in industry practices. | |
