In Depth by The Insider
Whilst XL, Domino, 4AD, Wichita and others put new acts on the map and control the direction and priorities of the new alternative scene, the major labels look distracted and erratic in their signing policy and approach to new acts. Many of the staff realise the game has changed but no one across the big three is really looking as though they know the rules by which to play. For now, to allow the scenes to flourish and to protect itself from further unwise and costly bad investments the sensible major label should focus on catalogue and known artists. It isn’t a panacea but its a way forward for a group of companies that look to be in serious need of new strategies. »
In Depth by The Insider
Exclusivity in and of itself does, of course, make perfect sense in some situations. A magazine or radio station or tv show is hardly likely to cover an act if their direct competitors are given the same content to run the day prior or the same day. This is a landscape that, to some extent, everyone in the music industry is happy to cope with but the prevalence of extreme exclusivity demands in the past year or so is both mutating that original landscape into parody and harming both the artists and the very media that make such demands.»
In Depth by The Insider
As we wind down to the end of the year and the music industry takes its traditional long view of what constitutes a Christmas break (normally December 1 marks the end of anything really meaningful) it is fair to say that 2009 has been a very confusing year indeed for anyone trying to equate the media and industry view of what has been good to the public view of what has been good musically.»
In Depth by The Insider
In the latest edition of The Insider, the art of criticism in the world of Web 2.0 is put under the microscope.»
In Depth by The Insider
Amidst all the talk of a new way of selling music through brands and using advertising to make tracks free, seldom does anyone within the music industry actually ask themselves the question as to whether this is a good thing. »
In Depth by The Insider
The music industry has problems. It isn't digital downloads, it isn't necessarily piracy. It is far more fundamental than that. It has forgotten how to maintain careers. That isn't to say the world has been wiped of 'career artists' but the truth is they are a rapidly diminishing breed.»
In Depth by The Insider
The first in a new series of articles penned by those in the know about the industry issues of the day. Meet The Insider...»
