Mainstream vs Indie

Mainstream vs Indie

You are going to carry out some research into the differences between mainstream and independently signed artists.  One Direction, as a manufactured pop group, has a large ‘machine’ behind them which can bring both advantages and disadvantages.  Lanterns on the Lake, who are signed to an independent label, do not have this machine.   Find out as much as you can about both bands, covering the list below, and then answer the questions at the bottom:

·         Find out everything you can about who owns the record label they are signed to.

·         Find out the other sorts of artists/genres that the label specialises in.

·         Find out who the target audience is for both bands.

·         Make a list of the different sorts of merchandise/ancillary products that are endorsed by the artist or available for fans of the bands.

·         Explore the website and find out how you can purchase the music.

·         Find out what you can about the backstory of how the bands became famous.

One Direction’s label is Columbia Records, which is owned by Sony Music Entertainment. This was founded in 1887. It was bought out by Sony Music Entertainment in 1988. The artists signed to Columbia Records currently include Adele, A R Rahman, Barbra Streisand, Beyoncé, Bring Me The Horizon, Bruce Springsteen, Calvin Harris, Céline Dion, Daft Punk, Earl Sweatshirt, Electric Light Orchestra led by frontman Jeff Lynne, Ella Henderson, James Arthur, J. Cole, Juicy J, Little Mix, Madeon, MKTO, One Direction, Passion Pit, Pharrell Williams, Rachel Platten, Rita Ora, the Neighbourhood, The Script, T.I., Train, and the casts of Fox's hit television shows Glee and Empire. The target audience for One Direction is teenage girls. Fans can purchase clothing, tour merchandise, accessorises, toys, books, posters, DVDs, and the albums from the One Direction store. The band members were originally contestants on X-factor, they did not win, but they were noticed by multiple record companies.    

Lanterns on the Lake’s label is Bella Union. They are an independent record label founded by Simon Raymonde and Robin Guthrie of Cocteau Twins in 1997, now run solely by Raymonde. The label has released music by Beach House, Department of Eagles, Lone Wolf, Our Broken Garden, Fleet Foxes, The Acorn, Abe Vigoda, J. Tillman, Peter Broderick, The Kissaway Trail, Pearly Gate Music, John Grant, Lawrence Arabia, The Low Anthem, Hannah Cohen, Laura Veirs and Mountain Man. The target audience for the band is people in their late teens. Their merchandise includes CDs, posters, T-shirts, bags and vinyl. You can purchase their music from their website. They released EPs from 2007-2010 and were then noticed by Bella Union and was then signed by them.   

Questions:

·         What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages to being signed to an independent label? Advantages: Artists get the rights to their music; they sign you because they love your music. Disadvantages: Lack of funds, disorganization.

·         What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages to being signed to a mainstream label? Advantages: excessive amounts of funding, size and reputation. Disadvantages: Must fight for attention, artist unfriendly deals.

·         How important do you think merchandise and ancillary products are to the success of the band and to the audiences? The only two important items that contribute to the success of a band is CD sales and ticket sales to their concerts, as it shows the label how many people are listening to their music.

·         How many different ways can fans of the bands find out information about them? Internet, Radio, TV and magazines.

·         Would you rather be signed to a mainstream or independent label?  Explain why, with reference to your research.  Independent, as I would signed to a company that would sign me as they are more interested in the music that I am making, rather than how much money I could make them.