Do you need a label to be successful in the music industry ?

Shelleyevie69 · 01-03-2015, 07:15 AM

[B][/B]Hey I'm doing an assignment for college where I have to collect data and I would like to get people's opinion on whether they think it is necessary for an artist to be signed to a label anymore. With the internet and social mediums giving a huge advantage for distribution and self promotion and artists choosing to release music independently, is there really any need to be signed to a label in order to be successful in the music industry ?
Your feedback will be greatly appreciated !

The Batlord · 01-03-2015, 07:35 AM

Of course you need a label. If you take a CD up to the counter at the store and there isn't anything on it to scan then you can't buy it.

Oriphiel · 01-03-2015, 08:50 AM

You don't need a label, but you probably won't become anything other than a cult/underground band without one.

Machine · 01-03-2015, 10:02 AM

Not really although it greatly helps, it depends though are you counting indie labels?

Therewasmethatisscott · 01-15-2015, 05:01 AM

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 · 01-15-2015, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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!

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 · 01-15-2015, 09:56 AM

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 · 01-15-2015, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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!

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.

Plankton · 01-15-2015, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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

Isbjørn · 01-15-2015, 09:42 AM

I can't name anyone who has ever gone big without a label. Even indie bands need their indie labels.

Well, unless you're making Minecraft parodies on YouTube.

01-03-2015, 07:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
Shelleyevie69 Groupie Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 1	Do you need a label to be successful in the music industry ? [B][/B]Hey I'm doing an assignment for college where I have to collect data and I would like to get people's opinion on whether they think it is necessary for an artist to be signed to a label anymore. With the internet and social mediums giving a huge advantage for distribution and self promotion and artists choosing to release music independently, is there really any need to be signed to a label in order to be successful in the music industry ? Your feedback will be greatly appreciated !

01-03-2015, 10:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
Machine moon lake inc. Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Detroit Posts: 2,125	Not really although it greatly helps, it depends though are you counting indie labels? __________________ boost my ego listen to me stroke my delay pedal ever wanted to hear death grips songs... but they're acoustic? me neither.

01-15-2015, 09:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
jacktricity Groupie Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Long Beach, Burbank - CA United States Posts: 7	time lenders 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.

01-15-2015, 09:42 AM	#10 (permalink)
Isbjørn cooler commie than elph Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: In a hole, help Posts: 2,811	I can't name anyone who has ever gone big without a label. Even indie bands need their indie labels. Well, unless you're making Minecraft parodies on YouTube. __________________ fast(ml) Hear me play the guitar Look, mom! I got a journal

01-03-2015, 08:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
Oriphiel Ask me how! Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: The States Posts: 5,354	You don't need a label, but you probably won't become anything other than a cult/underground band without one.

01-15-2015, 05:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
Therewasmethatisscott Groupie Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 2	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!