Music Industry Changing

“There was a time when most aspiring musicians had the same dream: to sign a deal with a major record label.”  This is the first line in an article titled Artists Find Backers as Labels Wane – by Brad Stone published July 21, 2009 in the New York Times online.  A friend of mine sent me a link to this article a fews days ago.

The article goes on to explain how new musicians are finding ways to fund their projects other than relying on the old model of traditional major labels.  The article demonstrates this change by focusing on a new company called Polyphonic. Polyphonic will invest in new artists and help them develop their market over the internet.  It will be operated as a start-up for the musicians.  This allows musicians greater control plus the ability to share in all revenue created.  
There is no going back to the old way.  The major labels are being forced to change how they do business.  If they cannot successfully adapt to the changing marketplace then they will not be able to survive this change.  This process of change has been going on for over 20 years.  The change in the way that music is created and distributed to the public benefits everyone…except the major labels.

Artists want to maintain control of their copyrights and they want to own their masters.  They also want to earn more of the money that is created when people buy their music and attend their concerts.

The best part of this is that the fans are beginning to really embrace this change.  There are fans that actively search for music that is released by independent musicians.  Some feel that the music is better since it has not been changed by a major label and others just like to support “indie” musicians.  Regardless of motive, this change has made it easier for musicians and fans to connect.  I believe this connection will be a major contributing factor for the direction of the music industry now and into the future.

Fans:  Do you follow any independent musicians?

Musicians:  Are you connecting with your fans?

by Bill Walker: Publisher, The Indie Times; Owner, Prismatic Publishing

Posted by Michele Jennae on January 6, 2012. Filed under Bill Walker,Indie News,Music. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry