Therewasmethatisscott

The thing I do not understand about labels and record companies is, well, i know they should still exist, but it seems like they were more useful back in the day when you needed to record in a studio and they only had records. Now they have .mp3s so i don't understand why most people don't just do everything themselves? I can record decent quality on an 100 dollar tablet that almost soudns studio!

Oriphiel

Because unless you have thousands of dollars to spare, you're not going to be able to promote yourself to the point where people actually know who you are, and you certainly won't be able to tour and merchandise on the level that professional bands are expected to. Modern record labels are basically money-lenders in this regard.

jacktricity

this is true... actually money has nothing to do with theh equation... all money is, is a form of communication... it's a "pat-on-the-back" so to speak... spending money on a band, is no different than playing video games at chuckee-cheeses. it just show you support the message. it's no different than church. when the pastor says something you agree with, you put in %10 of your income for the greater good. music is no different. but a music label is ideal.

The Batlord

Advertising is certainly important, but even as far as indie labels go, they need to make deals with the major labels as far as distribution goes. CDs may or may not be on their way out, but it's still the case that if your basement label can't get your music in the stores, or send it anywhere outside of the local area, then all you've got is a few sites that are already being flooded with countless bands also vying for attention, and little way to compete for the listeners' attention besides word of mouth. And I imagine with so many groups on the same sites, word of mouth for non-established acts is even harder to come by than it was before the internet.

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Plankton

You've got a good grasp on it. Hard out there for a pimp.

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